THERE were just 5 points to separate the Kearsney and Westville 1st XV rugby sides in a real crowd-pleaser at Botha’s Hill on Saturday 5 May 2018.

A total of 10 tries were scored in the match – each team bagging 5.

A backline move from out left that did the justice to time spent in training sessions resulted in Kearsney fullback Robbie Koenig getting the first touchdown, which scrumhalf Taine Muirhead duly converted (7-0).

Westville flyhalf Kyle Forsyth eliminated the challenge of two tacklers to get the visitors on the board and the conversion made it all-square at 7-7. Then a Kearsney error when in possession saw Habana Mkwanazi take full advantage for Westville to go in front 12-7.

It was a neat piece of footballing skill by the winger in steering the ball down the line before diving on it a split second ahead of the try-zone running out of real estate.

Kearsney worked their way back into the lead shortly after when hooker Taine Polzi breached the whitewash, Muirhead adding 2 for the 14-12 margin that reflected the half-time score.

Muirhead knocked over a penalty goal to get the scoreboard ticking in the second half before the Botha’s Hill-based side’s favourable field position paid off with interest. Kearsney needed 15 metres’ progress in search of a 5-pointer. Derick Marshall received a switch pass from flyhalf Jacques Odendaal – acceleration and power enabling the inside centre to cross the tryline. At 24-12, Muirhead’s conversion opened up a 12-point gap for Kearsney over their Highway rivals.

Westville cut it down to an encouraging 5 points for their supporters when winger Mkwanazi was again on hand to profit from Kearsney mishaps. Yet once again Kearsney had the facility to respond to a setback in positive fashion – pivot Odendaal making the most from a left-hand scrum to carve a niche through the Westville defence. The consistent Muirhead added the extras and Kearsney were the beneficiaries of a 12-point winning margin for the second time in this pulsating muscle-up.

An effective Westville catch-and-drive lineout culminated in a penalty try being awarded following a Kearsney infringement and the 12-point gap had again been whittled down to 5.

With Kearsney now just an edgy 31-26 ahead, Stott’s Field again bore witness to the home side’s quick response to a setback and it was number 8 and captain Sibu Sangweni who benefited from pressure and physicality to collect a loose-ruck ball that heralded trytime. Muirhead made no mistake with the conversion and at 38-26 Kearsney were 12 points better off for the third time.

Photo @ top of story: The energy engine – Kearsney College number 8 and captain Sibu Sangweni led from the front in the 10-try thriller against Westville.
Photo credit: TRACEY VAN DEN AARDWEG

This entertaining affair came to a close when Westville were awarded another penalty try after a player chasing a chip kick was tackled in the air 10 metres out, leaving the final score in this entertaining match reading Kearsney College 38 and Westville 33.

Kearsney team

15 Robbie Koenig
14 Christo Scheepers
13 Cameron Dudley
12 Derick Marshall
11 Gcina Gumede
10 Jacques Odendaal
9 Taine Muirhead
8 Sibu Sangweni (capt)
7 Dylan Bissett
6 Aidan Bossert
5 Nic Baines
4 Jordan Morum
3 Oliver Carmody
2 Taine Polzi
1 Mpendulo Dlamini

Subs
16 Pernel Ngubo
17 Connor Griffiths
18 Bradley Taylor
19 Dean Burrell
20 Marco Mattioda
21 Mark Pretorius
22 Robert Pringle
23 Rory Bloy

Coach: Barend Steyn

* I hope to get the Westville team soon.

RESULTS

(Kearsney scores first)
1st XV 38-33
2nds 10-11
3rds 27-14
4ths 20-19
5ths 39-7
6ths 39-12
7ths 15-10
16A 17-21
16B 3-22
16C 0-46
16D 18-12
15A 3-3
15B 0-31
15C 5-21
15D 10-26
14A 24-19
14B 12-26
14C 0-52

Overall: Kearsney won 8 and Westville won 9 with 1 drawn.