Northwood 1st XV beat Kearsney 1st XV 14-10
Kearsney College and Northwood played in the annual FNB Classic Clash at Durban North on Saturday. The game was affected by heavy rain, which made it difficult for both teams to play their best.
The first half was evenly matched, with both teams defending solidly and creating opportunities to score, but neither team was able to convert those opportunities into points. Both teams went into half time scoreless, but Kearsney would have felt disappointed for not having taken advantage of their chances.
In the second half, Northwood came out strongly and scored the first try of the game through a driving maul. Chad Croshaw responded with a penalty, making the score 7-3. Northwood capitalised on a mistake by Kearsney and scored another try, making the score 14-3.
Northwood played better in the rainy conditions, and their strong kicking game made it difficult for Kearsney to mount a comeback. However, Kearsney scored a late try through Daniel Eagar to make the score 14-10; but it was too little, too late.
In the end, Northwood won the game 14-10. It was a hard-fought but deserved victory for Northwood.
HOCKEY: Northwood 1st X1 drew with Kearsney 1st X1 1-1
Coming off the back of a tough result last weekend, Kearsney was determined to set things right against a structured Northwood team on Saturday. The game played out exactly as expected with both sides enjoying a fair share of the ball, for the first quarter to end in a 0-0 deadlock.
A determined defensive effort ensured the Kearsney boys were able to put a foothold on the game in the second quarter. The shift in momentum was apparent. A flurry of shots and circle entries against Northwood’s defense helped Kearsney get their tails up.
Kearsney started the third quarter as well as they ended the second. A shot by Fritz Rheeder found its way to the bottom left corner of goals in a penalty corner. Northwood, now on the back foot, came back at Kearsney with wave after wave of attack and aggressive intent, looking for the equaliser.
In a final attempt to bring the scores level, Northwood took their goalkeeper off with five minutes to play. The numerical advantage put Kearsney under tremendous pressure, and they struggled to keep Northwood at bay.
With 20 seconds to go, a fluffed shot from the baseline found its way into the back of the Kearsney net. The visitors will have been highly disappointed to finish the game in a 1-1 draw.
Sports report compiled by Sue Miles at Working Words
Photo credit: Hannah Shirley
