Highway sport giants battle it out

HIGHWAY giants, Kearsney College and Westville Boys’ High School, locked horns on the field at the annual rugby and hockey derby on Saturday.

Kearsney 1st X1 beat Westville Boys’ High School 1sts in an exciting nail-biter which was clinched by a converted penalty kick with no time left on the clock. Kearsney received the kick-off and played in Westville’s half.

From a Westville lineout, Kearsney gathered the ball and put numerous phases together, which allowed Kearsney flyhalf, Tristan Tedder, to have a drop goal attempt which was pushed passed the right post.

Kearsney conceded a few penalties early in the game, which allowed Westville to apply pressure on the Kearsney try line, but Kearsney’s defence stood strong as they managed to deny Westville scoring.

Inside the Kearsney half, Westville were penalised for not releasing the ball in a tackle. This was an opportunity for Kearsney scrumhalf James Hall to have an attempt at a 62m penalty kick, which he successfully converted.

Just before the end of the first half, Westville applied immense pressure and were awarded a penalty in the Kearsney half. Westville flyhalf, Kyan Braithwaite, was unsuccessful with his penalty kick.

Westville once again were on the Kearsney try line, Kearsney managed to defend their line holding onto the lead of 3-0 at half time.

Within the first five minutes of the second half, Kearsney were penalised just outside their 22-metre for being offside, which gave Braithwaite the opportunity to equalise the score to 3-3.

Westville gathered the ball off a Kearsney lineout and opted to kick. The hosts then counter-attacked and took play just outside Westville’s 22 metre. The Westville scrumhalf attempted to clear a kick but was charged down by Kearsney flanker, Anthony Quenet, who managed to score the first try of the match. Tristan Tedder converted taking the score to 10-3.

Westville responded by catching Kearsney off-side just outside the Kearsney 22 and in front of the poles, allowing Braithwaite to take the score to 10-6. Kearsney were caught once again, this time inside their own 22m for being offside from a ruck, which allowed Braithwaite to kick at goal, narrowing the margin to 10-9.

Kearsney lost their lineout ball on a good attacking field position. Westville kicked the ball which was countered by Kearsney.

The home side tried to slide a kick past their backs which was picked up by Westville’s right wing and took play into the Kearsney 22 metre. Kearsney were penalised once again for being off-side, which allowed Braithwaite to take Westville into the lead 10-12.

Kearsney was awarded a penalty in the last two minutes, which was then converted by Tristan Tedder, and allowed Kearsney to win the game 13-12.

The 1st teams drew their hockey match 2-2.