29 April 2025
(Feature photo courtesy of Samir Reddy)
Rugby returned to Stott Field for the second Saturday in a row as Kearsney hosted Glenwood, with both 1st XVs coming off strong showings at the 16th Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival.
The One-Stripe fell 24-29 to Dr EG Jansen but beat Dale College 34-13 and Peterhouse 48-8 at the festival, while Glenwood drew 26-26 with Monument, edged out Milnerton 37-34, and, against a common opponent, Dale, produced almost the same result, winning 33-12.
Those Dale games proved to be a foreshadowing of Saturday’s clash, with Kearsney sneaking a 32-31 victory.
The home side made an electric start to the contest, with their vice-captain Doan Nel dotting down in the corner in the first minute after a sharp sniping break from scrumhalf Jayden Jonsson straight off the kick-off.
Kearsney was off to a flyer, and they soon extended their advantage to 12-0 when Nhlanhla Ndlovu, a standout at the Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival, tore through the visitors’ defence for a stunning solo try.
Glenwood regathered themselves and turned to their forwards to provide a platform. That worked a treat as they drew in the home team’s defenders before shifting the ball wide for their opener.
Soon, it became a case of tit-for-tat, with the Green Machine closing the gap. At halftime, they had edged into a 24-22 lead.
That two-point advantage grew to nine points with a cleverly worked scrum, which created space for the visitors to add another try.
Kearsney replied through Ndlovu, who went over for his second try after good interplay with Lwazi Mbebe to make it 27-31 with just two minutes remaining.
Then came the moment that lit up Botha’s Hill. Valentino Lenge showed sublime speed and vision to break wide, draw in the last defender, and pop a brilliant inside ball to Nel. The centre still had work to do, but he powered through the cover to score his second try. Kearsney led 32-31.
In the dying seconds, Glenwood was awarded a penalty. They kicked for touch, but the kick was short, and Kearsney cleared to secure a stunning win.
Overall, it was close as could be, with both schools scoring seven wins and two matches ending in 10-10 draws. Kearsney had the better of the open age group and u16 matches, while Glenwood held the advantage at u15 and u14 level.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 32-31 Glenwood
2nd: Kearsney 20-24 Glenwood
3rd: Kearsney 18-0 Glenwood
4th: Kearsney 12-19 Glenwood
5th: Kearsney 33-12 Glenwood
6th: Kearsney 36-7 Glenwood
16A: Kearsney 32-11 Glenwood
16B: Kearsney 29-12 Glenwood
16C: Kearsney 10-10 Glenwood
16D: Kearsney 13-7 Glenwood
15A: Kearsney 15-26 Glenwood
15B: Kearsney 7-14 Glenwood
15C: Kearsney 12-41 Glenwood
14A: Kearsney 24-29 Glenwood
14B: Kearsney 14-19 Glenwood
14C: Kearsney 10-10 Glenwood
HOCKEY
The Kearsney and Glenwood 1st XIs met on the AH Mason Astro on Friday evening in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights clash. Both had recently been in action at the Standard Bank KES Easter Festival.
Glenwood’s hockey, throughout the age groups, has taken a step forward this season and they gave Kearsney a good game.
The home side enjoyed the better of the chances in the first half, which included receiving a penalty stroke. Matthew Terblanche made it count, and it proved to be the match-winner.
Glenwood fought back hard in the second half, making Kearsney scramble to preserve their win, but the hosts stood firm.
The open age group and u14 age group belonged to Kearsney. They also scored a narrow 1-0 win in the u16A match, but, in an encouraging showing for the visitors, their u16B, u16C, and u16D teams all claimed victory.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 1-0 Glenwood
2nd: Kearsney 4-0 Glenwood
3rd: Kearsney 3-0 Glenwood
4th: Kearsney 4-2 Glenwood
16A: Kearsney 1-0 Glenwood
16B: Kearsney 0-2 Glenwood
16C: Kearsney 0-2 Glenwood
16D: Kearsney 3-4 Glenwood
14A: Kearsney 3-2 Glenwood
14B: Kearsney 5-0 Glenwood
14C: Kearsney 2-1 Glenwood
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