SCHOOLS RUGBY
College edge Kearsney in thrilling Founders Day encounter
Kearsney's Keanu Williamson in the game against Maritzburg College (Photo credit: Kearsney content creator boys)
Kearsney welcomed high-flying Maritzburg College to Botha’s Hill on Founders Day, for what proved to be a highly entertaining and fiercely contested fixture.
College opened the scoring in the 7th minute with a converted try. After establishing a strong platform from a scrum, they worked patiently through multiple phases, before exploiting space on the edge to score in the corner and take an early 7-0 lead.
Kearsney responded in the 12th minute following a sustained period of pressure. Keanu Wiliamson combined well with Lwazi Mbebe, who released Luke Grobbelaar into space. Grobbelaar produced a clever chip over the final defender, regathered brilliantly, and crossed for superb try to reduce the deficit to 7-5.
Just three minutes later, some slick counter-attacking play involving Daniel Miskey and Mbebe created an opportunity for captain Nhlanhla Ndlovu, who showcased excellent footwork before racing away to score. The try handed Kearsney a 10-7 lead.
The remainder of the first half developed into a real arm wrestle, with both sides enjoying periods of possession and territory. As half-time approached, Williamson produced an incisive line break, before Ndlovu finished strongly from a pick-and-go to score his second try of the afternoon. Kearsney entered the break with a deserved 17-10 advantage.
Kearsney captain Nhlanhla Ndlovu scoring a try against Maritzburg College (Photo credit: Kearsney content creator boys)
College emerged from halftime with renewed intensity and dominated both territory and possession during the opening stages of the second half. Their pressure was rewarded with two tries in the first 10 minutes as they capitalized on a few Kearsney errors to move into a 21-17 lead.
Kearsney responded magnificently in the 53rd minute. Crisp handling and accurate short passing created space for Williamson, whose well-timed pass sent Mkhize clear down the touchline. Mkhize showed excellent pace to finish in the corner and restore Kearsney’s lead at 22-21 with 15 minutes remaining.
The lead was short-lived, however. From the ensuing kickoff, College earned a breakdown penalty which Du Toit successfully converted to edge his side back in front at 24-22.
Despite several promising opportunities in the closing stages, Kearsney were unable to find the decisive score as College defended resolutely. The referee’s final whistle brought an end to a thrilling contest, with College securing a hard-fought 24-22 victory.
Kearsney will be disappointed not to have converted a number of late chances, but there was much to admire in a spirited performance against one of the province’s top sides. Maritzburg College had an excellent comeback victory; and both teams contributed to a memorable and well-played Kearsney Founders Day fixture.
Kearsney College 22 Maritzburg College 24
