Kearsney celebrate Reunion Day
Kearsney hosted Hilton in perfect playing conditions on their Founders weekend scoring 19 unanswered points in the second-half to register a commanding 34-9 victory.
Kearsney showed early dominance and scored the first try in the seventh minute of the match. Fullback Chris Lines brilliantly collected a failed touch finder from Hilton and showed good pace and spatial awareness as he ran back at Hilton. From the tackle Kearsney attacked the right-hand side of the field.
From the ruck Ayron Schramm received the ball and made a well-timed offload to Lines who scored after beating a number of defenders with dazzling footwork. Tristan Tedder converted for a 7 – nil lead.
Hilton applied good pressure with very sound tactical kicking and good chase tactics which produced three first half penalties. Tedder added a penalty of his own and prop Mthunzi Moloi crashed over for a try just before half-time, for a Kearsney lead of 15-9 at the break.
The first of the three second-half Kearsney tries was a spectacular counterattack from a failed Hilton punt. Ryan van der Waal, Lines, Schramm and Jean-Luc du Preez were particularly prominent, with centre Blair Cremer diving over after some good continuity play by the hosts.
The penultimate try was scored by captain Dan du Preez with his trademark close-to-the-ruck running line. Unfortunately Tedder ha d not enjoyed his usual, productive tee-kicking day, but converted for a 27 – 9 lead.
Fittingly, man of the match Lines scored the last try from a shortened line-out, receiving a flat pass from scrum half Matt Reece-Edwards and running 25m for his second try of the match. Tedder converted for a final score 34-9.
Outstanding players for the hosts were Lines, Schramm and JL du Preez.
The game ended a notable week in which Kearsney’s 1st XV captain Daniel du Preez was named as KZN Craven Week captain. It is the third season that he has been selected to play at the prestigious Craven Week, and after last year’s event he was selected for the SA Schools team.
In total six players from Kearsney College’s 1st XV will represent KZN u18 at Craven Week. Daniel will captain his twin brother and flank Jean-Luc, scrumhalf Matt Reece-Edwards, No.8 Ayron Schramm, flyhalf Tristan Tedder and hooker Jordan Meaker.
Kearsney will play Maritzburg College this Thursday (20th) at 2.45pm in a re-scheduled 1st XV game following the original fixture being rained out.
From Kearsney
