Green Machine still unbeaten in KZN
In the final local encounter of the season, form and results were put aside as Glenwood and Kearsney locked horns in Botha’s Hill. It was a hard fought physical encounter, resulting in a well-deserved 19-9 win for the boys from Nicolson Road.
Storm Pearton was the general for Glenwood, controlling play from the flyhalf position, kicking intelligently, breaking well and doing his share of defending.
A flykick early on bounced off a Kearsney player and fullback Marinus Coetzee fielded it and went over in the corner for Glenwood to lead 5-0. Kearsney flyhalf Bailey Hart, succeeded with two penalties to take a 6-5 lead. Livewire flank, Kyle Cooper, scored the second Glenwood try just before the break and Pearton converted for a 12-6 lead to the visitors.
Shortly after half-time, Hart narrowed the gap to 3 points, with his third penalty and then Kearsney started gaining momentum but stout defense by Glenwood kept them at bay. The momentum was lost when a yellow card for a late tackle reduced Kearsney to 14 men and Glenwood started dominating again.
Five minutes from the end saw a classic wing’s try by Msizi Ngcongo, when he went inside and then beat the defender on the outside to dot down, again converted by Pearton for a 19-9 victory.
Despite losing three staggered encounters (e.g. Kearsney C vs Glenwood D) it was a great day all-round for Glenwood teams: 2nd – Glenwood 10-0, Under-16A – Glenwood 54-17, Under-15A – Glenwood 29-17, Under-14A Glenwood 10-0.
By Mike Hill