SCHOOLS RUGBY
Miskey’s boot breaks Michaelhouse hearts
Kearsney's Luke Grobbelaar in the game against Michaelhouse (Photographer: Martin Ashworth)
Saturday saw the Kearsney 1st XV travel to play Michaelhouse at Hilton for their Sharks Rugby Day fixture against a highly rated Michaelhouse side.
The hosts made a flying start, crossing for tries in the third and 13th minutes, to establish an early 12-3 lead, with Kearsney’s only response being a penalty from Daniel Miskey.
Kearsney showed tremendous composure and resilience to work their way back into the contest.
After earning a penalty and kicking to the corner, the visitors executed an outstanding driving maul, with captain Nhlanhla Ndlovu crashing over in the corner. Miskey added the conversion to reduce the deficit to just two points, to put Michaelhouse narrowly ahead 12-10 at halftime.
The second half began in ideal fashion for Kearsney, as Miskey slotted an excellent 45-metre penalty to give his side the lead for the first time, at 13-12.
Michaelhouse responded almost immediately, scoring in the corner from a well-executed change-of-direction play to edge back in front.
Kearsney, however, continued to play with ambition and purpose. Superb counter-attacking rugby saw Ndlovu break the line before putting Lwandle Mkhize away in the corner. Shortly thereafter, another incisive attacking movement saw Lwazi Mbebe slice through the defence and line with Oliver Ludwig, who finished near the posts. Miskey’s conversion stretched Kearsney’s advantage to 25-19, with 20 minutes remaining.
The momentum swung once again when a lost Kearsney lineout allowed Michaelhouse to transition quickly from defence to attack, resulting in a converted try under the posts to reclaim the lead at 26-25, with nine minutes to play.
The visitors responded with remarkable determination. In the 63rd minute, Luke Grobbelaar crossed the corner following a well-worked blindside move from a scrum. Miskey then produced a magnificent touchline conversion to restore Kearsney’s lead at 32-26 with five minutes remaining.
Michaelhouse mounted one final assault and scored after a quick-tap penalty, but the missed conversion proved decisive, leaving Kearsney clinging to a slender 32-31 lead.
With the final play of the match, Miskey kicked the ball into touch to secure a thrilling and hard-fought victory.
Played at a relentless pace, the match was a superb advert for schoolboy rugby, with the lead changing hands repeatedly.
Michaelhouse 1st XV lost to Kearsney College 1st XV 31-32
