Kearsney hosted Welkom Gymnasium as part of their Open Weekend programme
Kearsney hosted Welkom Gymnasium as part of their Open Weekend programme. From the outset, both teams showed their intention of playing running rugby. Kearsney, however, scored the first try of the match, when eighth man Dylan Richardson scored from a left-hand side scrum move, for James Sutherland to convert.
Kearsney battled with lineouts but ironically scored their second try resulting from a failed lineout. Welkom kicked up the field and fullback Sutherland launched a counter attack, which brought play close to the try line. The Kearsney pack used a pick and go tactics and lock Ross Taylor scored an unconverted try for a 12-nil lead.
Welkom fought back and soon Sutherland committed a foul close to his own try-line in an attempt to slow down the opposition breakdown. The visitors used this to their advantage and eventually scored in the left-hand corner, closing the margin to 12-5.
From the ensuing kick-off, Kearsney received a second yellow card for a high tackle attempt from flanker Sbu Sangweni. Welkom’s dangerous backs were relentlessly and eventually scored the second try, with Kearsney only fielding 13 defenders at the time. Below-par handling by the visitors prevented any further tries and the half-time score was locked at 12-all.
Lock Torrin Tedder scored Kearsney’s initial second-half try when he stole a lineout ball which Richardson carried for almost 20m, close to the try line. The hosts moved the ball to the short side with quick hands for Tedder to collect the final pass and dive over in the left corner. Kearsney took the lead 17-12.
Three minutes later hooker Daniel Cherry dived over in the same corner after more pick and go tactics. The conversion failed and Kearsney lead 22-12.
Welkom slotted a penalty in the 15th minute of the half after a breakdown error from a Kearsney player, to shrink the deficit to 22-15.
Kearsney scored their fifth and final try of the match from the good interplay between forwards and backs. Sutherland and Brendan Albert were prominent and it was Albertse who dotted down for Jacques Odendaal to convert.
Kearsney showed greater fitness levels during the last 15 minutes and fully deserved the result. The visitors, however, displayed outstanding running skills and their exciting brand pleased many spectators. Outstanding performers for Kearsney were Richardson, Sutherland, Cherry, Odendaal, Sangweni, Tedder and Taylor.
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