Hilton beat Kearsney at home
Hilton hosted Kearsney on the return leg of a double header on a beautiful afternoon ideal for rugby. Hilton proved very motivated as they were keen to reverse the result in March when Kearsney were victorious in Botha’s Hill. This time Hilton won 24-10.
Kearsney dominated the first half in all but the scrumming department, but made too many errors and squandered scoring opportunities. They did however score in the 20th minute from a rehearsed scrum move which saw wing Mitchell Nesbit dive over under the posts for James Tedder to convert and Kearsney take a 7-0 lead.
Hilton scored their first try in the 33rd minute in only their second visit to the visitors’ 22m-area. It came from flanker Marx who dived over after sustained pick and drive pressure. The conversion levelled the half-time score.
Hilton added a penalty in the 10th minute of the second half to lead 10-7. The hosts played the better rugby at this stage and Kearsney was sluggish at times. Hilton continued with their pick and drive tactics, which provided them good momentum against the visitors’ micro pack.
Hilton scored their second try after another Kearsney mistake in attack when a scrum was eventually awarded to the hosts on the right-hand side, close to the 22m line. Hilton attacked to the left and what seemed to be covered with a tackle and lost momentum, the left winger somehow received the ball from broken play and stepped a good five Kearsney defenders to score a converted try. Hilton led 17-7.
Tedder replied with a penalty in the 22nd minute for a seven point deficit which remained for another 14 minutes. During the last 10 minutes Kearsney created some opportunities but due to unforced errors could not capitalise on any.
It was also from the very last Kearsney opportunity that Hilton scored the final points on the whistle. Kearsney attacked from a scrum and lost the ball in contact, when the hosts’ left wing McGee received the ball and outsprinted the attack-minded Kearsney backs to score a converted try. The full-time score was 24-10 in favour of the hosts.
In summary, it was a scrappy game because of many handling errors and wasted opportunities. The old cliché of who wants it the most was certainly proved again.
By Sue Miles
