Match Report: Kearsney 1st XV v St Benedicts
Kearsney 1st XV beat St Benedicts 1st X1 53-24
Kearsney travelled to Johannesburg to play St Benedicts on a breezy winter’s Highveld day – the first time as an inter-school fixture.
Kearsney started well and in the first minute scored the first points from a penalty by James Sutherland. The next 20 minutes were pretty even with both teams prepared to give the ball some air, producing some entertaining rugby. Kearsney did not make the most of their opportunities in this period, but credit must also be given to resolute defence by the hosts.
It was St Benedicts who scored the first try of the match when awarded a 5m scrum on the left hand side of the field. The pressure told as the pick and drive play sucked in the defenders, and one long pass cleared the centre to score a converted try.
St Benedicts immediately went on another run from the kick-off and the visitors were penalised for a tackle infringement which was converted for a 10-3 lead to the hosts.
This seemed to spark the Kearsney attack in the remaining eight minutes of the half as they scored three tries in quick succession. The first started from a quick tap by man-of-the-match Luke Croshaw which made many yards. Captain Greg van Noordwyk picked it up and made valuable meters. From the ruck the ball was swung wide where eighth man James Miller scored in the right corner. The next try came from a line-out turnover with Cameron Craze, Cameron Ritchie and flanker Ross Taylor very prominent.
After good inter-play, fullback Kyle Mertsch collected a pass and cut back inside, to score close to the posts for Sutherland to convert.
Lock David Weaver displayed good aerial skills from the ensuing kick-off and made a good charge with centre Craze running good support lines. A brilliant solo effort ensued from centre Matthew Blair who showed good pace as he zig-zagged through the defence for a 50m try; converted by Sutherland. The half time score was 22-10 to Kearsney.
The visitors had a good start to the second half as the ever-present Croshaw collected a spilled ball and sniped blind to feed Blair who masterfully popped the ball inside when tackled close to the corner flag. Sutherland collected and dived over for an unconverted try and 27-10 lead.
The hosts fought back ferociously but once again Croshaw turned possession and punted the ball up-field. Good pressure by Ritchie and others caught the retrieving defenders and collected the loose ball which the forwards drove close to the line. Half-back Warren Driver passed blind and Van Noordwyk powered his way over the line for an unconverted try and handy 32-10 lead.
Kearsney attacked relentlessly was soon awarded a penalty 5m from the try line. The captain opted for a rehearsed move and Ritchie evaded diving defenders to score. Sutherland converted.
Kearsney had another opportunity from a left hand side scrum. The backs executed a well-rehearsed move and winger Reece Daniel made good ground before feeding Blair to jog through for his second try which Sutherland converted.
With a 46-10 lead and 10 minutes of the match remaining, the visitors seemed to be somewhat complacent and, coupled with the altitude, appeared lethargic which lead to sloppy play. The hosts capitalised on the mistakes and within six minutes scored two converted tries to bring their final tally to 24 and give it some respectability.
Fittingly Kearsney had the last say, when Craze took a quick tap penalty and between him and Croshaw ran the 50m to the try line for Craze to dot down next the left upright. Sutherland converted for a final score of 53-24.
Outstanding players for Kearsney were Luke Croshaw, Matthew Blair, Cameron Craze, Ross Taylor, Cameron Ritchie, James Miller and Warren Driver.
Photo: Tracey van den Aardweg
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