Muir find Kirkwood tough
A determined Kirkwood side hosted Muir on the weekend resulting in a narrow victory for the visiting Muir 28-21. Kirkwood led 13-7 at the break though the boot of their flyhalf.
Kirkwood opened their account though their flyhalf after Muir was blown up for going off their feet at the ruck. This lead was shortlived when eighthman Luxolo Koza crashed over the line from a well-worked line-out move.
Scrumhalf Joel Wates kicked the conversion. Kirkwood soon replied when their loosehead prop forced his way over and their flyhalf kicked the conversion to put them back in the lead. Another mistake by Muir resulted in Kirkwood’s flyhalf punishing the visitors.
The second half was slightly more structured by the Muir side and saw them run in three tries to Kirkwood’s one. Inside center Jonathan Dos Santos scored after the forwards worked hard to suck in the defence, giving the back space to play out wide. Wates kicked the conversion. Wing Neo Mehlwana scored Muir’s third after rounding the defence and dotting under the poles. Wates converted.
Kirkwood capitalised from a Muir mistake and though some good interplay amongst backs and forwards saw their inside centre score in the right corner. Muir struck back when right wing Luke Terblanche scored the fourth try. Wates converted. Kirkwood’s flyhalf punished Muir again after kicking a penalty for a yet another mistake by the College.
Missed opportunities, poor decision-making, many penalisable mistakes and Muir not playing to their strength and structures resulted in this narrow win. Kirkwood must be commended on their determination and commitment to play until the final whistle.
Once again, captain Lutho Njobe led from the front with a solid performance. Others who need a mention are flank Ray Triegaardt, eighthman Luxolo Koza and centre Jonathan Dos Santos who did the basics right to gain victory for the team.
By Lyntin Gouws
