Ithembe win Heritage schools title in Komani
Ithembelihle emerged triumphant when they defeated Newtown High from Fort Beaufort in the final of the Heritage schools rugby tournament in Komani last week.
Coming up against a wellcoached side with strong forwards and a fast backline, Ithembe did well to win 17-3 after being ahead 5-3 at the break.
Playing into a strong wind, Ithembe conceded an early penalty when Newtown kicked an up-and-under, putting them 3-0 ahead.
From the kick-off, Newtown tried the same tactic but this time wing Tiger Tshona got the ball and ran at the opposition, taking three defenders to pull him down.
At this stage props Uviwe Pamba and Major Heneni and loose forwards Lwando Gotyana, Banele Sadina and and Prince Dolonga worked hard to force them on the back foot as Ithembe’s physicality began to count.
With a minute to go in the first half, Ithembe kicked to touch from a penalty and from the ensuing lineout, Dolonga was driven over to make it 5-3.
With the wind at their backs, Ithembe went on the attack in the second half, with centre Yanga Javu and Tshona prominent in getting them over the gain line.
Then Ithembe produced arguably the try of the tournament when, from a scrum on their 10-metre line, No 8 Gotyana broke cleverly and flyhalf Sipho Maqoma was on hand to take a short pass to score under the posts. Scrumhalf Kale Mzantsi added the conversion.
The Ithembe forwards were now in control and lock Aphiwe Dolophu was dominating the lineouts.
This saw them launch an attack from their own 22 when Sidana carried the ball well, drew two defenders and then put powerful wing Liyema Natala away for a 60-metre run to the line, scoring an unconverted try with two defenders on his back.
There were signs of jubilation from Ithembe at the final whistle, with flank and captain Sadina, Dolonga, Dolophu, Shona and Maqoma being particularly outstanding.
The tournament attracted 11 teams from the Eastern Cape, being divided into four groups, with the winners going through to the semifinals.
Ithembe clinched their spot in the last four with wins over Maria Louw (40-3) and Bulelani High (28-0).
They came up against a well-drilled Komani Rugby Development team in the semis and had to work hard for victory as Sadina, Dolonga and Heneni led the way up front.
Maqoma controlled matters in the backline and Sadina was first to score in the corner from a driving maul to put Ithembe 5-0 ahead at halftime.
In the second half, Ithembe continued to attack, with Javu and Tshona getting through the gaps. Maqoma scored a try when he charged down a kick, adding the conversion to make it 12-0, before KRD scored and converted in the final seconds of the game (12-7).