Monument produced an impressive backline display to beat Hartpury 32-21 at the World Schools Festival in Stellenbosch on Tuesday. DYLAN JACK reports.
While the Gloucester-based Hartpury were competitive and made some solid defensive hits in the first half, they found it hard to deal with the evasive Monument backs.
Monnas fullback Herschelle Goodman, wing Luan van der Walt and centre Henco van Wyk, in particular, proved difficult to contain whenever they got the ball in space. Van der Walt scored a try in each half, while Van Wyk also crossed for a try in the second half.
A half-time score of 8-7 tells the story of the first half, where Monument saw plenty of possession, but were forced to do most of their attacking from their own half.
The Krugersdorp side opened the scoring just after the 10-minute mark when Goodman drew and passed brilliantly, freeing up Van der Walt to score his first on the right.
The Monnas backline caused all sorts of problems in the first half, with Goodman, Van der Walt and Van Wyk all combining well down the left wing. They extended their lead through a penalty from flyhalf Byron Wentink.
Hartpury did manage to find an extra gear towards the end of the first half and got their opening try through openside flank Mason Hughes, who burst over after blindside Jack Hewitt charged down a clearance.
Monument started the second half on a high, making it 27-7 through three quick-fire tries from Van Wyk, Van der Walt and backline replacement Ethan Snyman.
The two sides then traded blows as Hartpury pulled a try back through loosehead Toby Tyson, who muscled over from close range, before Monument again extended their lead through replacement wing Kagiso Nyamande.
Hartpury had the final say of the match as they won a turnover just outside the Monument 22, and showed good hands to put wing Max Rendell free on the right wing for a consolation try.
Monument – Tries: Luan van der Walt (2), Henco van Wyk, Ethan Snyman, Kagiso Nyamande. Conversions: Byron Wentink (2). Penalty: Wentink
Hartpury – Tries: Mason Hughes, Toby Tyson, Max Rendell. Conversions: Josh Phipps (3).
