Villagers dominate Mid-week clash vs Harlequins.

The Land Rover Durban Hillcrest Villagers Rugby Club played host to the Durban Harlequins in a mid-week clash ahead of the long weekend. The second team game was an evenly matched. Epic encounter of two very passionate and well drilled sides.

The Reapers team from Hillcrest drew first blood with an early opening try, but the mighty Quins were never far behind. The teams traded scores and ended the half on an even 12 all. While the home team made several mistakes which turned ascendency very quickly into defence, they managed to pull a spectacular last 10 minutes together running in the bonus point try through fly half Clifton Bridge and rounding out a tough game, 26-12 victors. Man of the match for the backs was Nathi Gono and Jarred Ground up front.

The Land Rover Durban Hillcrest Villagers First XV stamped their authority on the game early running in regular tries in the first half. An effective combination of solid defence and creative attack lead to unanswered tries by Dolfie Britz, 2 from speedster Alex Klewinghaus and a brace late in the half by charismatic hard-man Michael Moxley. The last of these tries coming from a perfectly executed lineout move, 30m out and a storming run in from the big man, shaking 3 defenders in the process. With the score sitting at 40-0 to the home team midway through the second half, the game looked wrapped up, however the tenacious Harlequins would not go down without a fight. Late in the second half, after a lengthy injury delay for an unfortunate head injury to home team winger Mat Hill, a veritable resurgence by the visitors saw them run in 3 tries in quick succession, catching the home team completely off guard. Rallying for a last push home however the final say was still had by the home team through an excellent try from scrumhalf Gerhard closing out the game at 52-19 to the hosts. Men of the match for the first team were Andries Botha in the forwards, and the ever present speedster Alex Klewinghaus in the backs.

The Land Rover Durban Hillcrest Villagers now turn their attention to UKZN where they will travel to on Friday night, hungry for another victory