Stirling find fiery Hudson stubborn foes
HUDSON Park first team triumphed in a thoroughly entertaining schools rugby derby against Stirling first team at Stirling on Saturday afternoon.
Hudson ended up comfortable 36-17 winners in the end, but a great comeback from Stirling after being blown away in the early minutes of the match made things very exciting early in the second half, before Hudson pulled away with two late tries to seal the win.
From the kick-off Hudson took charge and moved their way into Stirling territory.
From a ruck in their 22m the ball was spread wide right for captain and flank Lazola Nunwana to receive the ball in space and go over in the corner.
Fullback Hlumelo Mnyute was again in fantastic form as he was in the same fixture last year and his major contribution began with the touchline conversion to give Hudson a 7-0 lead after two minutes.
Stirling’s restart did not go 10 metres, mirroring the opening kick-off, giving Hudson the ball with a scrum again and they relentlessly moved back into Stirling’s half.
Hudson received two penalties, but chose to put both out deep in Stirling’s 22m, the first driving maul unsuccessful. However, the second saw Nunwana with the ball at the back diving over once his forwards had done the hardwork.
Mnyute added his second touchline conversion to put Hudson 14-0 up after six minutes.
Stirling finally managed to get their hands on the ball following the restart and, after moving play into Hudson’s half, received a penalty near the 10m line, straight in front.
Flyhalf Damien Sawman lined up the long-range attempt and struck a good penalty to get his side on the board after nine minutes.
Hudson were soon back in Stirling’s territory and, after a good period of sustained pressure, a fantastic move that included a top grubber, great pick up and pop pass ended with wing Siphe Mdlwana getting over in the lefthand corner for an unconverted score.
A good spell of even play was then broken by Hudson scoring their fourth as from a scrum in Stirling’s 22m the ball was slung right for Mnyute to go over in the right-hand corner for his first try.
His missed conversion meant Hudson were 24-3 up after 27 minutes and looked as if they would run away with the match.
However, this seemed to be when Stirling awoke from their slumber.
After moving play into Hudson territory, quick hands caught the Hudson defence napping as Stirling fullback Andile Ngcaba received the ball in space and put on the after burners to run in a great try to the right of the uprights.
Sawman confidently added the extras as they went into the break 24-10.
The second half started with Stirling confidently picking up where they left off, on the front foot and putting Hudson under some serious pressure.
With their scrum often on the back foot against Hudson’s more powerful unit, Stirling were indebted to their scrumhalf Anathi Godlo, who always managed to give his backline good ball off the back with sniping runs and quick service which helped Stirling keep on top in the early stages of the second half.
They were rewarded for their persistence after receiving a free-kick after a lineout on Hudson’s 5m. A quick tap saw them over the tryline for a converted score and all of a sudden they were in the game, only trailing by seven with 26 minutes still to play.
However, despite being caught in a flat period of play, the impressive Hudson backline could not be kept out for long and finally, in the 59th minute, a good chip and chase saw Mnyute over for his second for an unconverted score to stretch Hudson’s lead.
Hudson then sealed the win three minutes later with an attack from deep in their own half going through the hands, drawing players and passing, with Mnyute on hand to dive over in the left-hand corner and convert his hat-trick try, with the match ending 3617.
“It was a bit of a scrappy game and was hard to pick the boys up from the Selborne loss, but getting the win was important and the guys did it,” said Hudson coach Charles Howe.