Hilton Win at Kearsney
Kearsney hosted Hilton in a much-anticipated rematch on the hosts’ Founders weekend on a cool, windy afternoon, a match which Hilton won 24-19.
Hilton started well and dominated the opening 10 minutes of the match with one converted try and a penalty to show.
Kearsney clawed their way back into the match and gradually started to dominate the possession and territory stakes. It was the ever-present flank Dylan Bissett who eventually dived over with scrumhalf Taine Muirhead adding the conversion.
The hosts turned down some point-scoring penalties which could have been to their detriment in the long run.
Hilton, however, had the better of the set phases and deservingly led 10-7 at half time.
Kearsney started the second half with a vengeance and eighthman Sibusiso Sangweni scored from a clever Muirhead chip kick. Muirhead converted and Kearsney took the lead for the first time in the match at 14-10.
The lead did not last long as the hosts battled to control the kick-off and conceded a five-metre line-out from where the macro Hilton pack physically dominated the contact area. Eventually the burly lock Taljaard crashed over for Schreuder to convert and regain the lead at 17-14.
Following five minutes of play it was the same two point-scorers combining in similar fashion, to give Hilton a handy lead of 24-14.
Kearsney applied pressure from the kick-off and with a penalty opted for a line-out maul 10m out which they successfully executed, closing the gap to 19-24.
Kearsney dominated proceedings for the last eight minutes but, because of a combination of errors and solid Hilton defence, the score remained unchanged to the end.
It was a memorable occasion with an exciting and hard-fought match.
By Sue Miles of Working Words
