141 140 The Chronicle 2021 Centenary Edition Understandably, the performance had some typical early season errors, which led to the opposition scoring some points. The final score of 47-17 was a good reflection of the match and supporting the One Stripe from the side-line was even more satisfying. The following two fixtures, against Ligbron and Ferrum High Schools, posed a different challenge to the squad. Both these teams presented heavy and strong scrummaging packs of forwards. An ideal test for our front row in particular. On both occasions the team managed this challenge extremely well and it turned out to be one of the team’s strengths as the season progressed. Both the results were in favour of Kearsney at 25 – 5 and three tries per match. Winger Aya Mngaza was the top scorer on tour and captain De Beer, lock Ben Field, number eight Tom Carmody, flanker Jason Brien and props Sphe Zondi and Mhleli Khuzwayo showed early promise. With the much-needed game time experience and renewed focus the tour was definitely a worthwhile exercise. The traditional fixtures started with a home match vs Michaelhouse in a highly anticipated first post- COVID fixture in ideal playing conditions, but with no spectators allowed. Kearsney started very well and has soon been rewarded with a Bergset penalty for the first points of the match. The hosts dominated proceedings and apart from their sloppy line-out work deserved an early lead of 17-0, with a memorable try from lock Field, who ran a good support line when following a chip from fly half Gwarube which centre Mkhize collected to put him in possession to outsprint the defence. Our eighth man also contributed with a converted try after some good continuity play from a loose ball in the opposition half. Credit to the visitors who put their best passage of the half together to score and unconverted try in the right-hand corner to trail 5-17 at half time. The visitors continued with their newfound energy and soon scored from a midfield scrum after some elementary defence errors by the Kearsney. The converted try narrowed Kearsney’s lead to 1712. Michaelhouse put the home team’s pack under pressure with line-out mauls. Their next try came from a quick tap penalty following a maul infringement by Kearsney while attempting to stop a driving maul. The converted try saw the lead change hands with the visitors going 19-17 ahead. Michaelhouse stretched their lead after another Kearsney defence pattern blunder and the converted try saw them with a 26-17 advantage. Kearsney pulled together and seemed to find rhythm again and the last twelve minutes produced exciting moments. One opportunity came from a failed clearance from the visitors when they were turned over at a breakdown. Kearsney man of the match, centre Mkhize, ran a very sharp line and scored almost untouched next to the upright for Bergset to convert, shrinking the deficit to 24-26. The home team had some further opportunities, but solid defence brought the match to a closely contested end. Mkhize, Ngwenya, Field and Bergset performed well and deserve special mentioning. The next weekend we were hosted by Northwood in the annual Classic Clash in Durban North on a steaming hot afternoon, with temperatures over 30 degrees. The match got off to a flying start when Northwood star fly half received a poor midfield exit kick from Kearsney from the kickoff. The Northwood flyhalf collected the ball close to the halfway line and ran untouched to score in the right hand corner which he converted for a 7-0 lead after 1 minute of play. Two minutes later the hosts failed to exit and Kearsney turned the breakdown with Carmody prominent and winger Coetzee scoring an unconverted try and shrinking the deficit to 5-7. The next seven minutes caused some drama, with Kearsney losing scrum half Bergset from a late charge and, soon after, inside centre Ngwenya, with a suspected concussion. Kearsney, however, took the lead with a Gwarube penalty. Conditions might have contributed, but both teams were guilty of sloppy skills and below par defence. Northwood scored their second try from a poor decision on the counter from the Kearsney backs and regained the lead 12-8. In the 25th minute the hosts stretched their lead to 15-8 with a converted penalty. Kearsney attacked well during the last 5 minutes of the half and were rewarded with a Coetzee try which Gwarube converted for a 15-all score at half time. Kearsney soon added another Gwarube penalty after the break for a 18-15 lead. The visitors played the most constructive rugby in the next 15 minutes but failed to convert the territory into points and turned down kickable penalties. Northwood adopted a kick and chase tactic which led to their next converted try to regain the lead at 22-18. Kearsney’s injured full back struggled to field the Northwood kicks and Kearsney were under huge pressure at regular intervals. Kearsney had a golden opportunity for an all-important seven pointer, but poor handling prevented a sure try. The Kearsney morale took a dip and Nortwood capitilised with a converted try. This left the final score at 29-18. Although this result was disappointing, the players tried their best but the many disruptions caused by injuries proved to be too much on the day. The third traditional fixture scheduled was a midweek game at home against a star-studded Westville Boys’ High team. The injury count in the Kearsney team had spiralled which resulted in seven players being selected for their starting fifteen debut. The new look team prepared with enthusiasm and were very keen to cause an unexpected upset. Unfortunately, the match was called off three hours before kick-off due to the increasing number of COVID cases nationally. That was also the end of the 15-man code fixtures for the season. Although some schools resumed their rivalries in September, Kearsney decided to stick to our scheduled Term 3 sports. Unfortunately, we could not close the season with the customary 1st XV, dinner but I am happy to report that the following players were awarded with Honours and Colours for rugby: Honours: Singele Mkhize, Cameron de Beer and Mhleli Khuzwayo. Colours: Trent Coetzee, Michael Ngwenya and Ayabonga Mngaza. A huge thank you must go to Mr Nico Breedt for his assistance and support over the last seven years. He has been involved as a consultant since 2013 and as 1st XV assistant coach since 2015. He will be greatly missed as his involvement was highly rated and much appreciated. We wish him all the best for the future. Results: Played 5, Won 3, Lost 2 Mr Barend Steyn Coach Ayabonga Mngaza Jason Brien carrying the ball Above: Singele Mkhize: below: Prince Dube Trent Coetzee
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