Benoni beat Kempton in Merlin final
With the score at 32-30 in Kempton's favour deep into the half, the away side fashioned an unconverted try from a rolling maul to take a slender 35-32 lead
BENONI produced a fine second-half performance to overturn a six-point deficit in their 40-32 Merlin League final win over Kempton Park this past weekend.
Kempton took a 14-8 lead into the half-time break during the U/21 match played at the Barnard Stadium on Saturday, August 22.
Benoni slotted a penalty early into the second stanza to get themselves within touching distance at 14-11.
But the home side roared back with their first real attack of the half.
Andries Kuhn carried well and did all the hard yards before offloading to Walter Pretorius who stretched to dot down.
Benoni, however, made an almost immediate response with a try of their own to reduce the deficit to 21-16.
The end-to-end action continued as both sides increasingly showed their willingness for glory – exchanging penalties and tries much to the amusement of the loud crowd which was in attendance. With the score at 32-30 in Kempton’s favour deep into the half, the away side fashioned an unconverted try from a rolling maul to take a slender 35-32 lead.
Benoni put the result beyond doubt shortly after as the visibly tired hosts’ flood gates opened.
A well-worked backline move near the centre of the pitch cut-open the Kempton defence as Benoni finished off the entertaining match in style.
