Kearsney triumph in Durban

Kearsney travelled to Durban for DHS' Founders Day, for a televised game and came away with a 33-16 victory over their hosts.  

Whilst conditions were dry, a swirling wind on Van Heerden's added a different dimension to the game during the initial part.

Kearsney played into the wind in the first half and, as expected, were fielding a lot of balls from the DHS flyhalf who was very tactical with the boot, forcing Kearsney into the corners. Kearsney opened the scoreboard through captain Tristan Tedder, who converted a penalty kick within three minutes of the game.  

Kearsney were successful from their counter attacks, which allowed them a line-out just outside the DHS 22.  Kearsney secured the line-out and Tristan Tedder grubbered the ball through the DHS defensive line. Kearsney lock Tristan Dixon then gathered the ball and passed it down the line to allow fullback Mitchell Nesbit to score the first try in the left corner. Tedder converted, giving Kearsney a 10-0 lead.

DHS struck back with a penalty kick from their flyhalf. DHS were dominating in territory, and Kearsney were not accurate in their play, allowing DHS an opportunity to have a midfield scrum on the Kearsney 5m line.  

DHS converted the pressure into points from a well-planned move from the scrum, which was dotted down by their fullback. The DHS flyhalf converted, levelling the scores at 10-10.

DHS caught Kearsney in their own half, and were awarded a penalty which took DHS into the lead 10-13. Kearsney struck back within the closing minutes of the first half with a converted penalty kick from Tedder, to go into the half-time break 13-13.

Kearsney started the second half with some solid play, dominating possession and territory. A well-executed move from a Kearsney line-out inside DHS' 22m allowed the fullback to dot down for his second try in the left corner. Tedder converted, taking Kearsney 20-13 into the lead.

Kearsney struck again within a few minutes, winning a turnover, after which Kearsney scrumhalf James Hall made a break and ran 40m to score. Tedder converted to put his team 27-13 ahead.

Tedder added another two penalties and DHS responded with one, taking the final score to 33-16 in favour of the visitors.

Report from Kearsney