Menlopark 1stXV was brilliant with a 48-07 win over Oos Moot on Wednesday evening in a NWU Schools Series. The schools that targeted Menlopark as soft targets in 2024 are in for a rude awakening.
Menlopark started like a house on fire and scored three unanswered tries in the first half to lead 21-00 at the halftime break.
Oos Moot clawed their way back into the game and scored a try early in the second half to trail 31-07, however, two tries later Menlopark walked off with a well-deserved 41-07 win.
Take-Aways
It was Oos Moot's first outing in what will be a testing season. It is their first year in the NWU Schools Series and this will not only test their obvious talent and coaching but their squad depth will be extremely important.
Oos Moot has a blistering fast backline with a talented ten as the general, however, their forwards still have a lot of work to do. Their lineouts, scrums and especially their receiving of kickoffs were lacking from a team that wants to compete at the top level.
What is exciting is the coaching staff at Oos Moot. Apart from Braam Pretorius and his 1stXV coaching staff several old hands, who not only played top rugby but whose coaching credentials at club and provincial level are exceptional. The Oos Moot boys are in extremely good hands.
Menlopark has shown against against Eldoraigne a week ago, that they have the mental toughness they lacked in 2023 when they fought back from 03-19 to beat Eldoraigne 25-19.
Their success against Eldoraigne, the driving maul, will be one of their biggest weapons as their mauls against Oos Moot were again extremely impressive.
Their speed of play, however, laid the foundation for their early success against Oos Moot. What is even more impressive is the little mistakes they made although they did everthing at top speed.
