Kearsney Win Methodist Derby
Kearney of Botha's Hill in KwaZulu Natal played St Stithians of Randburg in Gauteng and beat them 65-21 on Stott field on Saturday.
Conditions suited a running game from both sides. Kearsney started the game with a high tempo, allowing captain and flyhalf Tristan Tedder to put Kearsney into the lead 6-0 from two penalty kicks.
After scrumhalf James Hall attempted a long range penalty kick, which was short, Saints attempted to clear the ball. However Kearsney regained it and a counterattack from Tristan Tedder broke the Saints defensive line to score in the right corner. Tedder converted his own try, taking the score to 13-0.
Tedder then increased the lead to 16-0 with another penalty kick. Kearsney countered a ball kicked from Saints, and from the base of the ruck James Hall had a brilliant sniping run, breaching the Saints defence to score a 40m try, which Tedder converted (23-0).
From a well-executed Kearsney line-out inside the Saints 22m, Kearsney lock Tristan Dixon dived over for a try, which Tedder again converted (30-0).
Saints responded and scored a well-worked try in the right corner from a line-out just outside the Kearsney 22m, which they converted (30-7). Just before half-time Kearsney displayed patience and put together numerous phases, allowing right wing Langa Hlongwane to dive over in the right corner. Tedder converted, taking the score to 37-7 at half-time.
Kearsney’s left wing David Zondi, dotted down within the opening minutes of the second half, from a loose ball which was picked up by the winger. Tedder converted (44-7).
Saints struck back when their flyhalf slid through the Kearsney defence to score a try, which Saints converted (44-14).
Kearsney’s James Hall then scored his second try by chasing a high ball kick that the Saints players were unsuccessful in fielding. Tedder converted (51-14).
Saints scored their third try by being patient in building phases together, and converted (51-21). Some innovative play ensued from Tristan Tedder, who put in a grubber kick that was gathered by outside centre James Tedder to score. Tedder converted (58-21).
In the final scrum of the day, Kearsney eighthman Stephen Tedder picked the ball up from the base of the scrum to score the final try of the day. Tedder converted to set the final score at 65-21.
Rugby provincial selections
Kearsney has five boys and three members of staff who have been selected for the recent provincial rugby teams. They are: Under-18 Craven Week Tristan Tedder, James Hall and Tristan Dixon; Under-18 KwaZulu Natal Academy Tijde Visser and Under-16 Grant Khomo Week team Jared Meyer.
Staff members selected are Dean Moodley as Under-18 Craven Week manager; Barend Steyn Under-18 Craven Week coach and Francois Lubbe Under-16 Grant Khomo Week head coach.
