18 March 2025
(Feature photo: Northwood School on Facebook)
Michaelhouse, coming off a narrow seven-point defeat to Helpmekaar Kollege in their season opener, arrived at Northwood School on Saturday eager to get their campaign on track against the Knights.
For Northwood, the 2025 season carries high expectations after an outstanding 2024 campaign in which they suffered just one defeat in the province. Facing a well-drilled Michaelhouse side, however, they had their hands full.
The visitors stamped their authority early, controlling territory and possession. Their pressure paid dividends when a charge-down inside the Northwood 22 forced a turnover. The hosts conceded a penalty five metres from their line, expecting Michaelhouse to opt for a straightforward three points. Instead, scrumhalf Dan Aissing caught them napping with a quick tap and darted through to score.
Stefan Moolman slotted the conversion, handing ‘House a 7-0 lead after only seven minutes.
Michaelhouse’s attacking intent was clear as they stretched the Knights from side to side, moving the ball crisply through the hands. Under mounting pressure, Northwood strayed offside, and Moolman punished them with a well-taken penalty from 27 metres out to extend the lead to 10-0.
Still, the Balgowan boys maintained their dominance, pinning Northwood deep inside their half. While the home side defended resolutely, they struggled to relieve the pressure. Michaelhouse had an opportunity to add to their tally in the 24th minute, but Moolman’s penalty attempt from just left of the uprights drifted wide.
It took until the dying moments of the first half for Northwood to finally break free. When they entered the Michaelhouse 22, they capitalised. A well-weighted grubber kick took a favourable bounce, wrong-footing defenders but not fullback Trevor van Vollenstee, who plucked it from the air and grounded it over the line.
Ludi van der Walt added the extras, and despite Michaelhouse’s control, their halftime lead stood at only 10-7.
Early in the second half, ‘House resumed their territorial dominance and Moolman’s steady boot delivered another three points from just outside the 22, giving them a 13-7 advantage.
However, Northwood began to find their footing. Playing more in Michaelhouse’s half, they built sustained pressure and came agonisingly close to scoring from a five-metre scrum, only to be denied by a desperate tackle. The ball was recycled quickly, and a pinpoint pass to the left found Jaydon Smith, who dived over in the corner.
The tough conversion attempt missed, leaving Michaelhouse clinging to a 13-12 lead.
Once again, the visitors camped in Northwood’s territory, battering away at the Knights’ line. But the home side’s dogged defence held firm.
With minutes left, Northwood earned a crucial penalty on Michaelhouse’s 22, positioned similarly to where they had scored their second try. Opting for touch, they set up a rolling maul, but Michaelhouse repelled the drive. Yet, another offside infringement gifted Northwood a penalty five metres out. This time, they took the shot at goal, but, to the dismay of the home crowd, the attempt skewed wide.
It wasn’t over yet. A failed Michaelhouse exit handed Northwood another lifeline. When ‘House were penalised once more, Trevor van Vollenstee stepped up for a 38-metre penalty attempt and a hush fell over the ground.
Moments later, the silence erupted into celebration as Van Vollenstee’s kick sailed through the uprights. The final whistle sounded, sending Northwood supporters pouring onto the field in jubilation. The Michaelhouse players stood frozen, stunned by a loss inflicted in the very last second.
Northwood coach Jacques Deen praised his side’s character in turning the game around after a first half in which they were outplayed. But he acknowledged there was work to do.
For Michaelhouse coach, James Fleming, it was a bitter pill to swallow. His team had dominated possession and territory, yet they trailed for only the final second of the game—a second that ultimately defined the result.
RESULTS
1st: Northwood 15-13 Michaelhouse
2nd: Northwood 27-26 Michaelhouse
3rd: Northwood 20-13 Michaelhouse
4th: Northwood 0-33 Michaelhouse
5th: Northwood 7-12 Michaelhouse
6th: Northwood 0-44 Michaelhouse
16A: Northwood 31-19 Michaelhouse
16B: Northwood 17-5 Michaelhouse
16C: Northwood 26-7 Michaelhouse
16D: Northwood 8-0 Michaelhouse
16E: Northwood 19-5 Michaelhouse
15A: Northwood 12-22 Michaelhouse
15B: Northwood 10-26 Michaelhouse
15C: Northwood 0-5 Michaelhouse
15D: Northwood 0-22 Michaelhouse
15E: Northwood 7-0 Michaelhouse
14A: Northwood 22-0 Michaelhouse
14B: Northwood 19-9 Michaelhouse
14C: Northwood 12-5 Michaelhouse
14D: Northwood 24-10 Michaelhouse
HOCKEY
After heavy rain in the Durban area on Thursday and Friday, the 1st XI match was called off. Plenty of matches took place, nonetheless.
The results in the open age group favoured Michaelhouse, but Northwood controlled the u16 matches. Props to the Durban school for putting eight u16 teams in the field.
Northwood also enjoyed the better of the u14 matches.
RESULTS
2nd: Northwood 1-3 Michaelhouse
3rd: Northwood 1-4 Michaelhouse
4th: Northwood 0-0 Michaelhouse
5th: Northwood 0-10 Maritzburg College
6th: Northwood 1-5 Maritzburg College
16A: Northwood 1-0 Michaelhouse
16B: Northwood 2-1 Michaelhouse
16C: Northwood 5-0 Michaelhouse
16D: Northwood 4-0 Michaelhouse
16E: Northwood 2-1 Michaelhouse
16F: Northwood 1-3 Maritzburg College
16G: Northwood 0-4 Maritzburg College
16H: Northwood 5-0 Maritzburg College
14A: Northwood 2-1 Michaelhouse
14B: Northwood 2-0 Michaelhouse
14C: Northwood 9-0 Michaelhouse
14E: Northwood 3-2 Maritzburg College
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