Menlopark produced one of the comebacks of the Virseker Noordvaal season on Saturday, snatching a breathtaking 45-42 victory over Noordheuwel in Pretoria with a try in the corner after the final hooter had sounded. The contest swung violently between the sides before Menlo found an extra gear when it mattered most to break Noordheuwel hearts.
The visitors arrived carrying momentum from recent victories, but left devastated after three yellow cards, reducing them to 13 men at one stage, ultimately proved fatal despite Armand van Eck’s heroics that repeatedly put Menlo under siege.
Lead changes define frantic first half
Menlo opened scoring with an early drop goal before Noordheuwel hit back through a powerful maul to lead 7-3. A 19th-minute yellow card handed Menlo the advantage, their successful penalty making it 9-7 before Noordheuwel responded immediately with a quick try for a 14-9 lead.
A minute later, Menlo exploited space out wide that Jody Abrahams finished brilliantly, reclaiming the lead at 16-14. But Van Eck, a constant menace with his explosive carrying, powered over from a scrum pick-and-go in the 31st minute to restore Noordheuwel’s advantage at 21-16.
Menlo showed patience in the 22 at halftime’s stroke, driving over to level proceedings at 21-21. Eight lead changes in 40 minutes told the story of a brutal, uncompromising battle.
Discipline deserts Noordheuwel
The visitors adopted a patient second-half approach, scoring through pick-and-drives to lead 28-21. Then discipline spectacularly deserted them, yellow cards in the 52nd and 54th minutes reduced Noordheuwel to 13 men, inviting Menlo pressure they could ill afford.
Remarkably, the numerical disadvantage seemed to galvanise Noordheuwel. They marched upfield to score in the 57th minute, extending their lead to 35-21 despite being two players light. Surely that would kill the contest?
Menlo refuse to surrender
Menlo hit back in the 59th minute with a power try before launching an 80-metre counter-attack two minutes later, the ball going through multiple hands as they exploited edge space created by Noordheuwel’s missing men. Suddenly it was 33-35 with everything to play for.
Van Eck busted through again in the 65th minute, extending the lead to 42-33 with five minutes remaining. Game over. Or so it seemed.
Death-defying finish
Three minutes later, Menlo scored a maul try to make it 40-42. Energy levels were critically low after such a physical battle, but Menlo discovered reserves they didn’t know existed. With time expired, they kept fighting, kept probing, and were finally rewarded with a try in the corner that sealed an improbable 45-42 victory.
“It was nothing more than we expected. A physical battle against a well-coached side. We are exceptionally proud of the fighting spirit that the boys showed,” said Dirk Odendaal, Menlopark’s head of rugby, his pride evident.
For Noordheuwel, the heartbreak will sting. Three yellow cards proved fatal despite Van Eck’s heroics and leading 42-33 with minutes remaining. Menlo simply refused to surrender, and in schoolboy rugby, that spirit sometimes conquers all.
