DHS edge Kearsney in the rain

Kearsney hosted DHS in unpleasant and rainy conditions at Botha’s Hill with the weather sadly influencing the style of play for which both teams are known.

DHS started strongly and only resolute defence from the hosts kept them score free.

It was the visitors, however, who provided the match’s first points with a penalty, taking the lead 3-0 after six minutes of play. Kearsney responded with a penalty by fullback Jacques Odendaal resulting from good work at the breakdown by hooker Daniel Cherry.  Kearsney applied pressure by using the strong breeze to good effect, and soon Odendaal added another penalty to lead 6-3.

Kearsney showed good dominance in the latter part of the half but were unable to add any points and the score remained unchanged until half time.

DHS slotted a penalty after six minutes from the restart to draw level at 6-all. Kearsney enjoyed another good passage of play but squandered many opportunities to add to their score. DHS had another rare visit to the Kearsney's 22m area and slotted a penalty to take the lead 9-6.

The visitors used their strong carriers and in particular flank Buthelezi to good effect. Kearsney had a well-worked break out run from their own 22m area and applied a lot of pressure on the DHS defence. Eventually lock Torin Tedder scored the only try of the match from a strong pick and go. The conversion was miss and Kearsney regained the lead 11-9.

DHS scored another penalty and took the lead 12-11 with three minutes of play left.

Kearsney attacked with meaning but a mixture of unforced errors and solid DHS defence kept the score unchanged to the final whistle.

The Scorers:

For Kearsney:

Try:Tedder

Pens: Odendaal 2

For DHS:

Pens: 4

By Sue Miles of Working Words

Photo: Tracey van den Aardweg