Exciting win for Kearsney
Kearsney hosted Maritzburg College in a much anticipated fixture with the visitors coming off a good win against KES the prior weekend but the result was an exciting 23-20 win for Kearsney.
The match will not remembered as a spectacle of running rugby but rather as a tactical and physical encounter, understandably with so much at stake. Both teams’ goal-kicking was not of the usual high standard but it was an exciting 70 minutes with the lead score changing team eight times during the match.
College dominated the opening 15 minutes but the hosts’ defensive structures were impressive, with hooker Swanepoel eventually crashed over for a converted try and a 7-0 lead. Kearsney bounced back with an intercept from hooker Josh van Vuuren from pressure play at the breakdown, to outsprint the visitors’ defence for half the length of the field. James Tedder then added a penalty to give the hosts an 8-7 lead for the first time in the match.
College attacked again with furious intent during the closing stages of the half and managed a drop goal for a 10-8 half-time lead.
Kearsney added the first points of the second half with a Tedder penalty. College responded with an unconverted try from their left winger after sustained phase play involving a number of pick and go actions. Kearsney responded quickly after some brilliant tactical play by their half backs pair, which resulted in a quick tap penalty by Tedder to put lock Ryan Jackson in possession which, with a well-timed pass, sent prop Nicholas Luyt over in the right-hand corner.
College soon chased an up field kick and masterfully turned the possession at the ruck from which they had numerous pick and go movements. It paid off when the burly loosehead prop dived over for an unconverted try and a lead of 20-16 with 13 minutes left.
The try of the match occurred when wing Cian Waugh made good yardage from a poorly directed College kick. From the resulting ruck the Kearsney attack was quickly organised and lock Jared Meyer off loaded at a good angle for captain Tristan Dixon to sprint 25m. Tedder converted for a 23-20 lead.
College attacked most of the remaining half but never seemed a real threat as the hosts’ defence was solid and well organised. Strangely the visitors opted not to convert a kickable penalty to draw the match and were unable to justify the captain’s decision.
The score-line remained with Kearsney as deserving victors.
Outstanding players for Kearsney were Luyt, Van Vuuren, Van Noordwyk, Meyer, Dixon, Tedder and Waberski.
By Sue Miles
