{"id":55777,"date":"2024-08-25T13:00:53","date_gmt":"2024-08-25T11:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=55777"},"modified":"2024-08-25T13:00:53","modified_gmt":"2024-08-25T11:00:53","slug":"double-delight-for-dhs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=55777","title":{"rendered":"Double delight for DHS"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
The DHS u17 side qualified for the Champions of Champions event for a second year in succession, much to their delight.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Durban High School (DHS)<\/strong> u17 and u15 teams gave the home supporters plenty to cheer by capturing the High School Sevens Series, sponsored by Toyota<\/strong>, title at DHS on Saturday in Durban.<\/p>\n

Van Heerden Field<\/strong> is a formidable fortress – this past season, the DHS 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, u16A, u14A and u14B teams were unbeaten on Van Heerden’s – and the Horseflies<\/strong> rode their home ground advantage to the titles and places in Champions of Champions Tournament<\/strong> at Grey College<\/strong>, in Bloemfontein, on 20 and 21 September.<\/p>\n

Spare a thought for the Westville Boys’ High<\/strong> u17 side, which suffered its first loss of the season in the final against DHS. It was very much a showdown between 1A and 1B, but on this occasion it was DHS who claimed the crown by a 26-12 margin. Two weeks earlier, Westville had beaten School <\/i><\/b>in the final of the Glenwood Sevens<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for the Griffin<\/strong>, the script was the same as 2023, with DHS reversing the result of the Glenwood Sevens on their home ground to secure a spot at the Champion of Champions.<\/p>\n

DHS won the title because of their ability to raise their intensity for their crucial playoff fixtures. A smothering defence forced mistakes out of their opposition, and the Horseflies<\/strong> were ruthlessly efficient at turning those into points.<\/p>\n

Westville, who had won three tournaments in succession, were a little bruised and battered, but they were boosted by the return of SA Schools’ star Zekhethelo Siyaya<\/strong>, who showed his class with his decisive decision-making and sharp finishing. Unfortunately, he picked up a bit of a knock, which led to him coming off the bench in the final.<\/p>\n

Glenwood<\/strong> showed they still possess strong talent in their ranks, but DHS defused the Green Machine<\/strong>‘s rugged challenge in the Cup semi-finals. The Glenwood side was at its best in an impressive 38-7 dismantling of a solid St Charles<\/strong> team in pool play.<\/p>\n

\"Successive
Successive semi-finals were fair reward for Glenwood’s hard-running u17 team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Northwood<\/strong> was workmanlike in making it to the final four. They produced typically abrasive performances, mixed in with some good sevens skills, to book their final four spot. There, though, their adventure came to an end against Westville.<\/p>\n

Kearsney<\/strong> caught the eye because of the rapid strides they have made since they were first in action at the Saints Sevens<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In that event, they were quite static when on the attack and they played too laterally. At DHS, their tempo was far higher and their approach more direct, and they were a far tougher out for their opposition.<\/p>\n

DHS beat them 26-14 and Glenwood won 12-5, but the Botha’s Hill boys did their school great credit, winning the rest of their games, including a 12-5 victory over Hilton College<\/strong> in a crucial pool game.<\/p>\n

\"Kearsney
Kearsney pushed DHS hard and finished second in Pool B after handling Hilton College.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Meanwhile, Ho\u00ebrskool Pionier<\/strong>, from Vryheid, were boosted by their superb travelling support.<\/p>\n

They upset DHS 2 in their best performance and made it to the final of the Plate.<\/p>\n

When the Sharks Tier 2 A team had a player dismissed while it was 0-0 in the title-decider, Pionier looked odds-on favourites to bag the silverware, but the Sharks’ side, with impressive character, rallied to triumph 12-7.<\/p>\n

\"Ho\u00ebrskool
Ho\u00ebrskool Pionier’s best performance was a gritty win over DHS 2.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Michaelhouse<\/strong> played some good rugby, but had their challenge undermined by a narrow 15-17 loss to Maritzburg College.<\/p>\n

When the teams met again, later in the tournament, ‘House ran out convincing 34-14 winners.<\/p>\n

u15 Competition<\/strong><\/p>\n

The u15 competition produced two new finalists after Northwood and Glenwood met in the Glenwood Sevens title-decider. This time around, it was DHS against Westville for the Cup.<\/p>\n

The saying goes, “speed kills”, and it certainly did in Westville’s chances in the u15 final, with Hadley Alexander<\/strong> burning the Griffin for three tries with his searing pace in the first half.<\/p>\n

Thanks to that trio of scores, DHS led 21-12 at the break and went on to claim the title 31-17.<\/p>\n

As predicted, Pool B, featuring Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse and DHS, was the most interesting. Each team won one and lost one and it came down to points’ difference as to which sides would advance to the Cup quarterfinals, with College and DHS edging out ‘House.<\/p>\n

DHS roared to a one-sided win over Ferrum<\/strong> in the last eight, while College ousted Glenwood Sevens champs, Northwood, 12-7. Glenwood took down Kearsney to book a semi-final spot, while Westville sparkled in a 43-15 win over St Charles.<\/p>\n

\"DHS
DHS flyer Hadley Alexander played a pivotal role in the final as the hosts clinched the u15 crown.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

That set up a rematch between College and DHS, with the Red, Black and White<\/strong> having beaten the Horseflies 22-15 earlier in the day. This time, though, DHS triumphed 19-14. Westville, meanwhile, scraped past Glenwood, winning 12-10.<\/p>\n

Ferrum handled Esikhawini<\/strong> in the Shield final to ensure they returned to Newcastle with silverware, while Michaelhouse, the unlucky losers from the powerful Pool B, crushed Northwood B to lift the Bowl.<\/p>\n

In the Plate final, Kearsney handed Northwood a 19-12 loss. College, then, edged out Glenwood 20-19 for third place.<\/p>\n

U17 RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pool A<\/strong><\/p>\n

Northwood 17-7 DHS 2
\nWestville 59-0 Pinetown Boys
\nNorthwood 31-0 Pinetown Boys
\nWestville 28-12 DHS 2
\nWestville 31-0 Northwood
\nDHS 2 31-5 Pinetown Boys<\/p>\n

Pool B<\/strong><\/p>\n

DHS 40-0 Sharks Tier 2 B
\nKearsney 12-5 Hilton
\nDHS 24-12 Hilton
\nKearsney 27-7 Sharks Tier 2 B
\nHilton 36-14 Sharks Tier 2 B
\nDHS 26-14 Kearsney<\/p>\n

Pool C<\/strong><\/p>\n

Glenwood 45-0 Sharks Tier 2
\nSt Charles 50-0 Vryheid Landbou
\nGlenwood 45-7 Vryheid Landbou
\nSt Charles 31-7 Sharks Tier 2 A
\nGlenwood 38-7 St Charles
\nVryheid Landbou 19-21 Sharks Tier 2 A<\/p>\n

Pool D<\/strong><\/p>\n

Michaelhouse 29-0 Pionier
\nMaritzburg College 31-12 Northwood 2
\nMichaelhouse 41-7 Northwood 2
\nMaritzburg College 22-12 Pionier
\nMichaelhouse 15-17 Maritzburg College
\nNorthwood 2 24-10 Pionier<\/p>\n

Playoffs<\/strong><\/p>\n

DHS 2 (3rd Pool A) 7-12 Pionier (4th Pool D)
\nPinetown Boys (4th Pool A) 7-29 Northwood 2 (3rd Pool D)
\nHilton (3rd Pool B) 26-21 Vryheid Landbou (4th Pool C)
\nSharks Tier 2 B (4th Pool B) 21-33 Sharks Tier 2 A (3rd Pool C)<\/p>\n

Cup quarterfinals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Westville 21-12 Michaelhouse
\nNorthwood 14-5 Maritzburg College
\nDHS 36-19 St Charles
\nKearsney 5-12 Glenwood<\/p>\n

DHS 2 35-10 Pinetown Boys (Playoff)
\nVryheid Landbou 26-14 Sharks Tier 2 B (Playoff)
\nMichaelhouse 34-14 Maritzburg College (Playoff)
\nSt Charles 12-22 Kearsney (Playoff)<\/p>\n

Plate semi-finals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pionier 19-10 Northwood 2
\nHilton 14-26 Sharks Tier 2 A<\/p>\n

Cup semi-finals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Westville 12-7 Northwood
\nDHS 21-5 Glenwood<\/p>\n

Plate final<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pionier 7-12 Sharks Tier 2 A<\/p>\n

Cup final<\/strong><\/p>\n

Westville 12-21 DHS<\/p>\n

U15 RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pool A<\/strong><\/p>\n

Esikhawini 7-17 Pionier
\nNorthwood 43-0 Pionier
\nNorthwood 24-0 Esikhawini<\/p>\n

Pool B<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maritzburg College 17-21 Michaelhouse
\nDHS 40-12 Michaelhouse
\nDHS 15-22 Maritzburg College<\/p>\n

Pool C<\/strong><\/p>\n

St Charles 33-14 Northwood
\nGlenwood 45-0 Northwood 2
\nGlenwood 19-10 St Charles<\/p>\n

Pool D<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ferrum 0-40 Kearsney
\nWestville 21-0 Kearsney
\nWestville 43-0 Ferrum<\/p>\n

Cup quarterfinals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Northwood 7-12 Maritzburg College
\nDHS 56-0 Pionier
\nGlenwood 26-12 Kearsney
\nWestville 43-15 St Charles<\/p>\n

Bowl semi-finals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Esikhawini 0-46 Michaelhouse
\nNorthwood 2 7-5 Ferrum<\/p>\n

Plate semi-finals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Northwood 43-0 Pionier
\nKearsney 28-14 St Charles<\/p>\n

Cup semi-finals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maritzburg College 14-19 DHS
\nGlenwood 10-12 Westville<\/p>\n

Shield final<\/strong><\/p>\n

Esikhawini 7-26 Ferrum<\/p>\n

Bowl final<\/strong><\/p>\n

Michaelhouse 51-0 Northwood 2<\/p>\n

7th\/8th playoff<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pionier 0-49 St Charles<\/p>\n

Plate final<\/strong><\/p>\n

Northwood 12-19 Kearsney<\/p>\n

3rd\/4th<\/strong><\/p>\n

Maritzburg College 20-19 Glenwood<\/p>\n

Cup final<\/strong><\/p>\n

DHS 31-17 Westville<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Durban High School (DHS) u17 and u15 teams gave the home supporters plenty to cheer by capturing the High School Sevens Series, sponsored by Toyota, title at DHS on Saturday in Durban. Van Heerden Field is a formidable fortress – this past season, the DHS 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, u16A, u14A and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":55797,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-55777","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=55777"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55777\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=55777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=55777"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=55777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}