Kearsney’s 23-20 victory was only their tenth win ever against Maritzburg College but significantly also their fourth in the last five meetings between the two schools. Although the 43-point match turned out to be one of those heart-stoppers involving the lead changing hands eight times and the outcome being undecided until the final whistle, it wasn’t the prettiest of affairs, as relentless defenders either spoiled or got pinged for trying too hard to upset the other side’s attempts to play attractive attacking rugby. There were also a few quality issues surrounding set-pieces.
A key factor in the outcome was the unavailability of College’s reliable first choice goal-kicker Ruben van Blerk. Missed place kicks along with turned down in range opportunities, ultimately cost the visitors a win, although it must be added that Kearsney did not fare much better from the kicking tee.
Even though College dominated the territory and possession during the opening quarter, forcing Kearsney to concede a number of penalties, many inside the redzone, the first points only came in the 17th minute when from one of their high standard punts into the corner, College set up an attacking lineout near the Kearsney line, creating a surge that ended with hooker Sam Swanepoel producing exceptional upperbody strength in the contact to burst past the D-wall and score. Matt Kriel converted to give College a deserved 7-0 lead.
Kearsney reduced the deficit to 7-5 soon afterwards thanks to Josh van Vuuren. The hard-working mobile loose-forward turned hooker intercepted a pass near a breakdown that had been disrupted by his captain Tristan Dixon’s aggressive hits and showed some toe to cover the 50 metre distance to the tryline without being hauled in.
Using various forms of tactical kicking throughout the match to gain territorial advantage, Kearsney were able to profit from one in the 27th minute to the extent that flyhalf James Tedder’s penalty from right in front, handed the One-Stripes an 8-7 lead.
On halftime a passage of good attacking play triggered by energetic College centre Sthembokuhle Mpanza culminated in a well-taken drop goal by flyhalf Jean de Wet , ensuring that his team went into the break 10-8 ahead.
On 40-minutes Tedder struck a long penalty to put Kearsney back ahead at 11-10.
Ten minutes later College hit the front once more. This time sustained pressure created by forward drives had the hosts retreating and sucked in to a ruck, opening up a big blindside, that was exploited using quick passes out to left wing Kudzai Munangi, who crashed over, making it 15-11.
Kearsney’s James Tedder is undoubtedly one of the star players of the 2015 KZN season. His line-breaking input along with a quick-thinking tap and go penalty take near the tryline, set up prop Nicholas Luyt to dive over in the right-hand corner, for the sixth lead change at 16-15 in the 53rd minute.
Three minutes later College were in front for the last time when more good work by the College pack paved the way for the best ball-carrier on the day, prop Tanaka Chikewezvero to power over with defenders hanging onto him. This, the Red Black White’s third try made it 20-16.
As had been the case against Glenwood earlier in the season, Kearsney’s winning try scored by flank Tristan Dixon. This sixth try of the game in the 61st minute was easily the best of the match. Wing Cian Waugh must be commended for the initial work that he did on the blindside before from recycled ball, two swift, accurate flat passes allowed Dixon, a 1.95m, 108kg blindside flank, who’d picked the right line to unlock College’s midfield and show surprising line-speed for someone his size in his unstoppable 30m carry. Tedder converted to end the scoreboard movement at 23-20.
College, fresh off a last minute win against KES a week before, were not done yet. They created more pressure but significantly turned down a straight, very kickable penalty in order to go for the jugular. Patient pick and drive build-up work by their pack got them all the way to the Kearsney line. Here the home team’s defence held firm, winning a turnover and backing it up with more commitment to repel another two attacks during the nail-biting finish.
@Gungets Tuft: Hey Gungets
Yes I was at that game. Craig Joubert was reffing that game, I think he was still a bit hungover from the night before. Didn’t see the incident but what a great game. Thought we were going to take that one.
At the end of the day the school has to throw cash at it eventually, whether we like it or not everything revolves around money. school fees are going up and people will take bursaries when they can.
Reputation alone isn’t enough anymore.
Kearsney vs Maritzburg College
1st XV: Kearsney won 23-20
2nd XV: Maritzburg College won 20-10
3rd XV: Kearsney won 20-15
4th XV: Maritzburg College won 24-3
5th XV: Maritzburg College won 65-7
6th XV: Maritzburg College won 55-0
7th XV: Maritzburg College 8th won 50-0
Under-16A: Maritzburg College won 27-26
Under-16B: Maritzburg College won 33-0
Under-16C: Maritzburg College D won 32-0
Under-15A: Maritzburg College won 16-14
Under-15B: Kearsney won 20-5
Under-15C: Maritzburg College won 17-0
Under-15D: Kearsney beat Maritzburg College E 24-5
Under-14A: Maritzburg College won 51-19
Under-14B: Maritzburg College won 17-12
Under-14C: Maritzburg College won 17-5
Under-14D: Maritzburg College E won 40-12
@Gungets Tuft: I think your point is very valid – a school should not be motivated by 1st and A team wins. The boys in these teams make up a small percentage of the school. What is more important in my opinion is that as many boys as possible get a competitive game on a Saturday and have fun. Win some & lose some.
I haven’t agreed with some of the things Westville has done over the last few years but I do applaud their efforts to play more of the big (number of teams) schools so that more boys get a game on a Saturday. It creates a great vibe around the school on match day. The home and away fixture against College this year is a great example. Long may it last.
@beejman: And just one other point I want to make. While we all want our 1sts and A teams to win, that’s never been the sole motivation at College. I never played 1sts, simply not talented enough, but I was hellova proud to turn out and be competitive in the C teams and (eventually, and until Northlands ended my “career”) for the 4ths. That situation has not changed, and if you look at the depth of College rugby, I believe we are matched by very few nationally. If we start hauling out the wallet to make a first team, we run the real danger of losing focus on the whole point of school sport – turning out the whole man across the board, not just 60 or so boys.
We all need to read Keith Richardson’s excellent essay on school sport from time to time. I cannot find the link and only have a copy on my PC and will not post it here because it’s too long. Perhaps someone else has the link. Mail me if you like – gungetstuft@gmail.com – I will send it to you.
@beejman: You’ve put your finger right on it – the other schools are becoming a “strong force”.
We haven’t stopped playing Glenwood on Reunion day, the timetable is not decided around when College has Reunion, there are many more influences. College actually generally try to invite the very competitive teams to Reunion, window dressing is not the way we play it. The last 5 home performances against Glenwood have been a 35-16 win (Reunion), 30-31 loss, 27-27 draw, 40-44 loss (the brilliant game) and a 20-21 loss where we had a fairly simple kick to win it in the final seconds. Not exactly doom and gloom, in context of Glenwoods last few years not the worst record in the province either.
Just to catch you up on performances on Reunion day – the last time we played Glenwood we lost a player after 19 minutes, were leading with 2 minutes to go, and lost one of the best schoolboy games many of us have ever seen. There were independent people there too, ask around.
The year before we lost to a Kearsney side that had been constructed starting in about Grade 3 at DPHS. I’m not exactly sure how many SA Schools players they had, definitely 2.
I’m not sure how a return to the 80’s would be possible now, unless we match the other schools with cash. Does College really want to win with the chequebook?. We can still compete on our terms, personally it’s the route I prefer. Good things are happening, the next 5 years will be interesting
@Gungets Tuft: Hi,
Yes I did see those wins, great wins but shouldn’t we beating those anyway? I don’t see why College shouldn’t get back to the standards it had in the 80’s and 90’s? I think we are falling behind the likes of Gleenwood and even though we beat westville once this year they are becoming a strong force. If you look at our other results against them it doesn’t look pretty.
Yes we all know about one of the above mentioned schools. Yes there’s no doubt we are great at hockey but this is a rugby blog and speaking rugby the school needs to do something about it. I can’t remember the last time I went to a reunion day and winning. Ok I don’t get to as many as I want to and I think the reason we stopped playing glenwood on those days is because old boys were getting feed up.
@beejman: Beejman (and any other MCOB) – check out http://mcoba.alumnet.co.za/ to get in touch and make sure you’re up to date.
@beejman: Agree with Rugger Fan. Of course, thinking back to the “good old days” makes you think College has gone backwards, but the evidence is that other schools have caught up. If College had just gone backwards then the next best schools would suddenly be dominating and that’s not the case. All schools are competitive.
I’m guessing that you didn’t watch the wins against PBHS, Westville, DHS, KES. Westville and KES in particular are good wims.
As Rugger says, if you’re not already in touch, (re)join the MCOBA, get onto the Memberzone. Visit the website and go to the dinners in your region. There’s lot happening, particularly in getting the structures back in shape, getting College Old Boys back onto staff, some brilliant young guys back teaching, and also coaching. aAs rugger says, the U14’s are looking good this year, solif crop in. The U16’s have a lot of promise, they are much better than the results so far, when they click they’re going to be very good. Other sports are going strong, if the ratings are to be taken seriously then last year hockey and basketball were rated at #1 in South Africa. Canoeing, College recently swept the board at the SA Schools Sprints beating the next best by about double points. They were last years KZN Champs for the 8th year running.
If it’s about rugby only, well, it’s not been all doom and gloom either, just not the 80’s. I don’t know if that sort of dominance is possible ever again, short of a very big wallet and a skewed set of priorities – my opinion anyway.
@Galaza:
Some examples? I thought he did pretty well.
@Rugger fan: Unfortunately this ref also made alot of mistakes and strange calls in the 1st game. Making a simple mistake like not recording a score shows his ability to ref A team games.
Yes – or i suppose like those guys who were given gold medals for the Tour d’France – 7 years afterwards when Lance Armstrong was banned???
Really not the way you want to do it.
Those Kearsney boys played their hearts out int he second half – and their ecstasy was only matched by the College heart break.
Aaahhh well – the ref needs to live and learn – an “expensive” mistake.
@Rugger fan: I hope the electronic scorer was a master, not a student. It’s a pity, it’s like getting to the finish of Comrades fully exhausted to be told they’ve added 2km.
@Rugger fan: Yes it’s official – just saw it on the results sheet on the Kearsney site. Well done on the win!
Disappointing for the boys but it was a good comeback – a game of two halves.
@Thumper: Is that official now? Pity the game ended that way – I know Kearsney would not have taken the kick if the score was a 4 point difference rather than the 2 points on the score board.
What is the source of this info?
Also pity for both sets of boys – the emotions running very high with KC grabbing the last minute win. Really not the way any team wants to win or loose a game!
@Pedantic: Well done on the win!
@Rugger fan: I see College u16A have been credited with the win 27-26. The result doesn’t matter, rugby was the winner. Well done to both teams!!
@beejman: No dig taken. I just think that College are doing a lot for rugby – including on the coaching side.
I think if more Old Boys like you who were concerned about the school – actually took an active role (paying subs, giving regular positive input into meetings/structures, assisted to develop and promote the school etc.) it will only bode well into the future.
@Rugger fan:
Thanks Rugger fan. I guess I was very fortunate to only lose to grey and affies while I was there. I do believe College has great resources they just aren’t using at the moment. Past coaches now working for the Sharks or have in the past that don’t get called to come and share the knowledge they have learnt at those sorts of franchises.
I think all the old boys would love to see us dominating KZN again. Please don’t think I’m taking a dig at the players. I know they give everything on that field.
@beejman: Hi beejman
I don’t think college rugby is is always loosing. Their overall record cross all teams is admirable by any school’s standard.
This year’s 1st XV have had some good wins (and a one big loss). All their other losses have been very close (as have a few of their wins). This year’s U14A team is looking very good – they have very good representation at the final trials at U16 level – so mall in all – not looking too shabby.
Certainly not the dominant force in KZN school rugby like the were in the 80’s – but as has been debated on this blog ad infinitum – times have changed and other schools have done a great job in changing the KZN schools rugby environment.
College remains a good school – and rugby is by no means a spent force there.
Good win for Kearsney. As a College old boy it’s very frustrsting of late to always see the red black white losing games. Not sure if it’s arrogance on the schools part but something needs to be done to insure that there is a healthy intake of good rugby players. I know a couple of years ago there were emails being sent by a few old boys complaining,but nothing seems to of been done. College is such a great school and I’m very proud to be able to call myself an old boy but I think today being a great school isn’t enough to get kids to go to the school. I don’t maybe I’m being a jack ass. Any thoughts from other college old boys?
@Rugger fan: It’s pretty normal for a tight game like that not to be a “great” game. It was the same when Kearsney beat Glenwood – not a great game of rugby but great heart shown by the underdogs which in turn is a great result
Spoke to your chap after the game – he also got some stitches from that unfortunate clash of heads, hoping both boys will be ok for trials on Tuesday.
While I would love Kearsney to be the winner of the U16A game, the result matters less than the amazing fight back they constructed without their very dominant captain on the field – for me, a win either way.
@GreenBlooded: I spoke to the College coach afterwards. The story as I understand it is as follows:
> Scoreboard kept by some school boys
> Ref did not keep the score (the root of the problem IMHO)
> The scores did not tally after the game – and a discrepancy was acknowledged – and the ref could not confirm.
> The ref was then involved with the 1st XV match – so could not do anything on match day
> It was agreed that video evidence was checked – as the ref had a good idea of the Kearsney try that was questioned (it seems a conversion was “awarded” on the scoreboard – but the actual kick may not have been over – causing the 2 point difference in question.
>So all will be determined later.
A sad way for the outcome a game to be determined. It was an incredible fight back by Kearsney after College had them almost dead and buried in the 1st half. An unfortunate clash of heads early in the 1st half also meant that Kearnsey were playing without their captain – but their flyhalf stepped up and controlled their game afterwards.
@Rugger fan:
The official score is kept by the referee – or did he not keep the score? Although the scoreboard is inconsequential in law, the person operating is just as much to blame for the cock-up. Kearsney would not have gone for the last minute penalty goal knowing they were 4 points behind. So the result of a vital A team match will be forever in dispute because 2 people didn’t do their jobs!
Pedantic you must be smiling – never saw you after the game – but great try from #7 (Dixon) to clinch the game.
Was one of those entertaining games for spectators that never really delivered what it could have been – a good game of rugby – but not really a great game – if that makes sense.
@GreenBlooded: No news on the U16A match. Apparently the coaches will watch the videos – will only be “officially” decided in the coming week I guess?
What was the final outcome of the U16A encounter? Apparently the scoreboard was incorrect due to a conversion being credited to Kearsney incorrectly which means that College actually won the match by a point despite having frustratingly thrown it away in the 2nd half?