Results – KwaZulu-Natal – 4 May 2013
Kearsney played with the wind behind them in the first half and this enabled them to be on the front foot for most of the 35 minutes, where three converted tries were scored. The scrums were evenly contested with Michaelhouse shading the line outs mainly due to some good work by stand- in captain, Chris Schoeman. It was the superior backline that helped Kearsney and with the loose forwards winning the loose ball, Kearsney had the better of possession and territory.
Their reward came with a try from winger Ryan van der Waal, scored in the right hand corner from a backline rehearsed move. Flyhalf Tristan Tedder featured prominently in this play and aptly converted for a 7 – 0 lead. The next try came from lock Dan du Preez who has returned to the Kearsney 1st XV following an injury and a long layoff. The visitors forward pack mauled and were making their way out of their 22 when prop Mthunzi Moloi successfully ripped the ball from a MHS player to feed Du Preez, who showed a good turn of pace and outstanding evasive skills to score next to the right hand upright. Tedder added the two points.
The visitors fought back well during the latter part of the half but Kearsney scored again through the ever alert eighth man Ayron Schramm, pounced on a loose ball from a lineout and dived over. Tedder again converted for a halftime score of 21 – 0.
Kearsney faced an ever increasing headwind in the second half and battled with their territorial kicks. Michaelhouse soon capitalised with a deserving but unconverted try by prop Chris Whiting after some very good forward play.
Soon afterwards Kearsney scored through lock Mitch du Toit from a lineout maul which Tedder masterly converted in very difficult conditions. With a 28 – 5 lead the hosts now played with confidence and scored again within five minutes. Jean-Luc du Preez collected a ball from a lineout and after a 30 metres run offloaded to Schramm. From the ensuing breakdown the backs took the ball wide and when tackled, scrumhalf Matt Reece-Edwards sniped around the fringes to score. The conversion attempt was unsuccessful.
Kearsney applied relentless pressure on the visitors and in the 32nd minute was awarded a centre scrum close to the opposing the ball went through a number of hands to Schramm for his second try.
Michaelhouse, missing six regulars due tro injuries never gave up on their efforts despite Kearsney dominance particularly amongst the backs.
Results:
Kearsney 38 Michaelhouse 5; St Charles 0 Hilton 34; KES 16 Westville 22; Vootrekker 29 Weston 7; Parktown 31 DHS 5; St Henrys 36 Pinetown 15; Wartburg 5 Howick 38; Thomas More 32 Kloof 12; Carter 13 Treverton 11; New Forest 15 Amanzimtoti 0; Hillcrest 17 Port Shepstone 24; Kingsway 8 Gelofte 22; Creston 66 St Patricks 0; Crawford LL 40 South Coast Dev 0;
