Kearsney, Hilton lock horns on sports field

KEARSNEY College enjoyed another action-packed weekend when they played Hilton College in rugby and hockey at the weekend.

Kearsney applied pressure from the kick-off and were awarded a penalty within the first three minutes, which Tristan Tedder converted to open the score 3-0.

Hilton managed to suck the Kearsney players in at the rucks, which allowed Hilton to score out wide. The conversion was unsuccessful to leave the scoreline at 3-5. Kearsney responded quickly and caught Hilton in their own 22m, whereby Kearsney were awarded another penalty, which Tedder converted, taking Kearsney into the lead 6-5.

Hilton were awarded a penalty, which they opted to kick for the corner to set up for a line-out. The Hilton pack set up a powerful maul and crossed the Kearsney try-line for the second time, with an unsuccessful conversion, but it took Hilton into the lead 6-10.

Tristan Tedder converted another two penalty kicks to take Kearsney into the lead at 12-10 at half time. Kearsney turned the game around during the second half. The visitors were using the width of the field and were keeping possession, eventually converting the pressure into Kearsney’s first try from right winger Langa Hlongwane. Tedder converted, making the score 19-10.

Tristan Tedder created an opening to allow inside centre Sebastian Pau over, thereby scoring Kearsney’s second try under the uprights. Tedder converted 26-10.

After the try Kearsney successfully received the kick-off, whereby Tristan Tedder gathered the ball and worked his way through the Hilton players and displayed individual brilliance to score in the corner, scoring the try of the day. Tedder was unsuccessful in converting his own try, taking the score to 31-10.

Hilton players fought back and scored a well-worked try, taking the final score to 31-17.

In the hockey match played at Hilton, Kearsney’s 1st X1 dominated the early exchanges in the game and put Hilton under severe pressure throughout the first half. They had numerous scoring opportunities which Hilton’s goal keeper managed to keep out. Kearsney were rewarded for their hard work with a late goal scored by Bili Ntuli to go into the break at 1-0 up.

But the second half belonged to Hilton, who dominated the play and took on the younger Kearsney side, creating various scoring chances for themselves. They took their chances to score two field goals, the second of which was scored in the dying moments of the game, bringing the final score to 1-2.