Kearsney beat DHS 24-20

Kearsney hosted DHS for a great afternoon’s running rugby in which neither team disappointed.

The visitors got the scoreboard rolling with a penalty in the 12th minute from a breakdown infringement in the Kearsney half. The hosts responded quickly and scored a classic counter-attack try through fullback Derick Marshall, 8th man Massimo Fierro and winger Luke Dudley doing some good work, before passing to scrumhalf Jordan Bamber who outsprinted the cover defence to score under the posts. He converted his own try for a 7-3 lead.

Kearsney scored another pick and go but unconverted try, via prop Bradley Taylor after sustained pressure to stretch the lead to 12-3. DHS responded well, scoring a converted try by captain and lock Kruger from a quickly-taken tap penalty, to reduce the deficit to 10-12.

Kearsney had the last say in the half with a spectacular try by Marshall after some excellent play by centre Connor de Bruyn. Half-time score 17-10 for the hosts.

Kearsney started the second half furiously, but unfortunately the good work was undone with a handling error in close quarters. DHS clawed their way back into the game, scoring a deserved converted try to level scores at 17-all.

Kearsney played some good rugby and were rewarded with a converted lineout-maul try by hooker Reid Stuart, to restore the lead again at 24-17.

DHS responded with a penalty to close the score at 24-20 to the hosts, who showed solid, resolute defence; but at times DHS displayed some exciting attacking skills. Kearsney, nevertheless, were worthy winners with four tries to two.

Outstanding players for Kearsney were Marshall, Dudley, De Bruyn, Bamber, Fierro and captain Ox Carmody.

By Sue Miles
Photographer: Tracey van den Aardweg