Kearsney 1st XV beat St Stithians 1st XV 41-18
Kearsney travelled to Gauteng and enjoyed good playing conditions on the Highveld. Kearsney started strongly and were awarded their first try from good attacking play following a lineout in their own half.
Eighth man Dylan Richardson made a strong run with support from backs Matt Blair and Robbie Koenig. They progressed to the hosts’ 22m when the ball was moved back to Sibu Sangweni on the open side. Richardson again carried well with a neat offload to centre Grant Sander, beating the last defender for an unconverted try in the left corner.
Saints had a good passage of play with strong mauling and driving and were soon awarded a penalty which they converted.
From the kick-off, they capitalised on Kearsney errors. The resolute defence kept them at bay and eventually, Kearsney ripped the ball from a Saints carrier and launched a counter attack, spearheaded by Richardson. Koenig received the ball on the right wing, following a quick tap penalty, and Jacques Odendaal converted from the right-hand touch line for a 12 – 3 lead.
Saints managed to turn over possession from the kickoff and were rewarded with a well-earned converted try to narrow the scores at 10 – 12.
The hosts converted another penalty to take the lead for the only time in the match at 13 -12.
Kearsney reclaimed the lead with a try by Ross Taylor through a rehearsed penalty move at 17-13.
Kearsney scored another try from an entertaining phase of play with both forwards and backs handling the ball. Koenig scored in the left corner and Odendaal converted for the half time scoreline of 24 – 13 to Kearsney.
Saints responded first in the second half with an unconverted try from a pick and go from their tight head prop. Soon afterwards Richardson found space out wide and beat four defenders to score in the left corner for a deserving try. It took the score to 29 – 18.
Richardson was prominent again from another penalty move when he masterfully off loaded to hooker Daniel Cherry to score in the left-hand corner. Odendaal converted in windy conditions and Kearsney took a comfortable lead at 36 – 18.
Saints did not give up but were somewhat unlucky when, in attacking, a forceful tackle from winger Brendan Albertse the ball spat out of the player’s grip, to find centre Matt Blair who sprinted the length of the field. He scored an unconverted try to give a final score of 41 – 18 in favour of Kearsney.
Outstanding players for Kearsney were Richardson on his return after injury, Koenig, Sangweni and Taylor.
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