A young team that have gelled well

WITH a young team and homeground advantage, the head of rugby at Diamantveld High School, Leon Karemaker (pictured) says that hopes are high that they will do well this year in the Absa Wildeklawer School Sports Tournament.

Speaking to the DFA on Monday, Karemaker said that the preparations for the tournament was on track .

He explained that the Under-19 team this year is a very young team that has not played together for a long time.

“We only have five Matrics on this year’s first team, and we have only played eight games together that started on March 3 this year. Things went a little bit tough in the beginning, but they have gelled well together in a very short time,” he said.

Looking back, Karemaker said that last year they lost against Waterkloof in the dying minutes of the game and had four injuries during that clash. But, he says, the DHS team played really well despite the final result.

Speaking frankly, he told the DFA that they didn't use the opportunities that were handed to them, and that worked against them in the game.

Last year, Diamantveld ended 48th on the log, but Karemaker said that they are hoping to do better this year. Their first game will be against HTS Drostdy, and they will then take on Boland Landbou in the next clash.

It will not be a walk in the park, according to Karemaker.

“We are going to have to lift our game. I feel that we have a chance to win one of the two games. We are hoping to win two, but one will be good for the team,” he said. Karemaker has high hopes for the team, especially now that they have some forward momentum. But ultimately, how the team plays together on the day of the tournament and in the crucial moments in each game, will decide who comes out on top.

For the hosts, focus is key.