Kearsney wraps up epic weekend tourneys

Tennis

THE annual Kearsney Tennis Festival, sponsored by Growthpoint, finished in an epic battle between Grey College and Paul Roos.

Grey and Paul Roos each won three singles and a doubles, before the final doubles match went on court. Grey won the match in the end and beat Paul Roos by five matches to four.

Play on Saturday was unfortunately rained out. The results from Friday’s fixtures were considered, resulting in the final placing on pool positions remaining unchanged, but no cross play-offs could happen.

Friday round robin results:

Grey College beat Affies by 9 matches to 0

Grey College beat Rondebosch by 9 matches to 0

Paul Roos beat Pretoria Boys by 9 matches to 0

Paul Roos beat Selborne by 9 matches to 0

Kearsney beat Rondebosch by 5 matches to 4

Affies beat Kearsney by 7 matches to 2

Pretoria Boys beat Clifton by 5 matches to 4

Selborne beat Clifton by 6 matches to 3

Finals:

Grey College beat Paul Roos by 5 matches to 4

3/4 playoff: Selborne beat Affies by 6 matches to 3

5/6 playoff: Kearsney beat Pretoria Boys 5 matches to 4

7/8 playoff: Clifton beat Rondebosch 7 matches to 2

Kade Mindry and Shail Chetty from Kearsney were unbeaten for the duration of the festival and they won all of their singles matches. Finishing in fifth position, Kearsney’s games included a win over Rondebosch 5 – 4, a loss to Affies 2 – 7 and win over Pretoria Boys 5 – 4.

Kearsney thanked Growthpoint for its generous sponsorship and Sportsmans Warehouse and Wilson for the continued support.

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Hockey

Kearsney’s match against Maritzburg College lived up to its expectations as the local team started strong and controlled the game for most of the 1st chukka. They were, however, unable to convert any of their chances and the score-line remained 0 – 0 after 14 minutes.

Maritzburg came out firing in the 2nd chukka with Kearsney absorbing a good six minutes of pressure. Kearsney’s Hayden de Kock and Chase Kelly slowed the game down and claimed control in the latter half of the 2nd chukka. Kearsney found themselves ahead after some great build up play and a quality finish from striker, James Maguire.

Neither side found the back of the net during the 3rd chukka, until a penalty stroke was awarded to Maritzburg, to level the scores after three chukkas.

Both teams seemed focussed in the final chukka as they were more patient with the ball and chose their moments to attack. The game came down to the wire as Kearsney won a penalty corner with one minute remaining on the clock. Kearsney scored through a well-executed corner and drag flick from vice-captain, Chase Kelly. Kearsney beat Maritzburg College 2 – 1.

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Rugby

Kearsney hosted Maritzburg College on a wet and misty afternoon. At times, the thick mist made it impossible for spectators to clearly see play on the other side of the field. It was however an extremely physical and exciting match by two highly motivated outfits.

Kearsney scored first after five minutes of play. The remainder of the half was a territorial battle which occasionally became sloppy, as handling conditions were challenging for players. Some good defensive work and outstanding lineout contesting by the hosts kept the score at 5 – 0 at halftime.

Kearsney started the second half strongly, scoring a try that was converted for a 12-0 lead. Maritzburg was rewarded with a forwards’ pick and go try, which seemed somewhat controversial, but was converted and shrunk the Kearsney lead to 12 – 7.

The match ended disappointingly for the hosts as the visitors capitalised on an elementary error from an attempted territorial kick, that resulted in an excellent lineout opportunity. They mauled the lineout efficiently and with powerful drives eventually scored close to left upright.

With scores locked at 12-12 and time up, the Maritzburg College goal kicker kept his composure to convert and win the match for his team, 14 – 12.