The Monnas vs Glenwood premier interschool’s match was held in Durban this year. The day started off well for Monnas with their u/14A team getting the 1st win of the day. Glenwood’s u/15A team then made it 1 each by beating their Monnas counterparts. Monnas u/16A team took the score to 2 – 1 in Monnas favour with a convincing win over Glenwood. The 2nd team match had the crowd on their seats as Monnas dominated the game but could not convert it to points in the 1st half. Glenwood came back strongly in the second half and as the final whistle blew Glenwood won 10 – 8.
The Witbulle from Monnas then took on the Green machine from Glenwood. In the absence of the Glenwood lock JJ van der Mescht it was assumed that the Monnas pack would dominate the smaller Glenwood pack. To the surprise of all the supporters, it was Glenwood who took the game to Monnas and scored within the first 5 minutes after playing the ball wide. Wing Janus Hendricks stepped the Monnas defender and scored in the corner. The try was unconverted. Monnas fly-half Viljoen kicked a penalty to take the score to 5 – 3. Halfway through the 1
Halfway through the 1st half the Glenwood 8th man, Edward Laubscher had to leave the field with a dislocated shoulder after yet another good run down the touchline. He was very influential for Glenwood winning all his own and most of the Monnas lineout ball. From here onwards Dylan Kruger, captain of Glenwood, gave his all against the Monnas forward pack. The Glenwood team played the better rugby most of the 1st half by taking the ball wide, away from the Monnas pack but fortunately the Monnas backline and flank Franco Schutte defended very well. Viljoen was successful with another penalty and against the run of play, Monnas went into the halftime break leading 6 – 5.
Within 90 seconds after the 2nd half started, the Monnas lock - Kwagga van Niekerk used his power to cross the try line for Monnas 1st converted try stretching Monnas lead to 8 points. From here on Monnas took control of the game through strong forward play by Eben Brand, Kwagga van Niekerk and Franco Schutte. Viljoen kicked another penalty. Monnas hooker, Morne Brandon then crashed over for Monnas 2nd converted try after a good run from the Monnas backline.
Monnas 23 Glenwood 5. Viljoen took control of the 2nd half with well-placed kicks into the corners. One such kick was followed up by the Monnas winger, Brendon Breytenbach who caught the ball on the bounce, between the Glenwood players and ran in to score underneath the poles for Monnas 3rd converted try. Monnas 30 – 5 Glenwood.
After taking the ball wide again Glenwood came close to scoring but good defence by Monnas kept them out. The Glenwood replacement, Junior Smit scored after Glenwood received a penalty close to the Monnas try line and played quickly. Conor Allan converted and the score was 30 – 12. Monnas nearly scored quickly afterwards again with the strong Kwagga van Niekerk driving for the line but was just short with inches. Monnas played quickly from the ruck but the reserve fly half lost the ball in the tackle. Glenwood quickly played it wide and ran the whole length of the field and after good interplay, Conan le Fleur scored Glenwood’s 3
Monnas played quickly from the ruck but the reserve fly-half lost the ball in the tackle. Glenwood quickly played it wide and ran the whole length of the field and after good interplay, Conan le Fleur scored Glenwood’s 3rd try. The conversion was good by Allan and shortly afterwards the final whistle blew. Monnas 30 – 19 Glenwood.
Monnas returning home as the #2 1stXV school in the country.