Rugby festival delivers thrilling action
EG Jansen enjoyed great moments at the festival, but had to settle for a draw and two losses.
The 14th Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival produced the goods yet again over the long weekend, with enthusiastic near-capacity crowds treated to some typically exhilarating match-ups at Stott Field during the three days’ play.
After great weather on Thursday and Saturday, things took a turn on Monday, with chilly, overcast conditions really testing the skill level of the players, though it did nothing to dampen the excitement factor.
Three teams left Botha’s Hill unbeaten, with Glenwood, Westville Boys’ High and Hoërskool Monument from Krugersdorp winning all three of their respective matches.
The spirit of the festival trophy was awarded to festival debutants Worcester Gymnasium for outstanding sportsmanship, their fearless spirit and their conduct on and off the field.
Ceano Everson, Hoërskool Monument’s scrum half, was named player of the tournament.
Having allowed Dale College to come back and win 23-20 from 15-points down in the opening game, the festival hosts did well to condemn Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen to their first defeat of the season in a 17-12 result. In the final game of the weekend, the One Stripes fell to a disappointing 24-26 defeat to UK tourists Hartpury College.
In an ill-tempered encounter on the first day, Glenwood managed to secure a hard-fought 22-10 win against Hoër Landbouskool Marlow, before their superior organisation with and without the ball lifted them to a 19-7 victory over Dale. On the final day, their physicality in contact completely shut down Worcester Gymnasium, and they cantered home 57-8.
Westville recorded a 31-19 win over Hoërskool Noord-Kaap on day one, before outlasting Hartpury College 14-9 and putting EG Jansen away 22-10 in their remaining outings. With some proper game-breakers in No 12 Likhona Finca and fullback Tshegofatso Ramaloko, Westville look set for another strong campaign in 2023.
Hoërskool Monument, as brutal as ever at the contact point, overpowered Hoërskool Framesby 28-7 first up, before touching down eight times in a 50-5 drubbing of Hoërskool Noord-Kaap from Kimberley.
In their final matchup with Dale, a great second-half display earned them a 41-5 result, with the ill-disciplined Eastern Cape side finishing the game with 13 players on the park.
Having claimed the UK’s national ACE League title a massive 10 times in the past 12 years, much was expected of the Gloucestershire-based Hartpury College, and they certainly impressed. After beginning with a 28-all draw with EG Jansen, they were outmatched by Westville on a steamy Saturday, before producing a solid display in their win over Kearsney.
Pound-for-pound, Marlow were as good as any team and brought plenty of grit and resilience to each of their games, beating Worcester Gymnasium 30-15 on day two before conceding a last-gasp try against DHS to go down 25-32 in their final encounter.
Durban High School bounced back after allowing Worcester Gymnasium to sneak home 31-36 in their first game, beating Framesby 31-10 on the second day, before their strong finish against Marlow.
Despite their limited resources, Noord-Kaap punched well above their weight throughout the festival and can be proud of the way they conducted themselves on and off the pitch.
They played with immense heart and should travel home with their heads held high.
EG Jansen, who came into the weekend unbeaten this season, also enjoyed some great moments, but had to settle for a draw and two losses, such was the competitiveness on display.
Festival results
Day one (April 6)
Kearsney College 20-23 Dale College, DHS 31-36 Worcester Gymnasium, Monument 28-7 Framesby, Westville 31-19 Noord-Kaap, EG Jansen 28-28 Hartpury College (UK) ,Glenwood 22-10 Marlow.
Day two – Saturday (April 8)
Hartpury College (UK) – Westville 9-14, Worcester Gymnasium 15-30 Marlow, Glenwood 19-7 Dale College, EG Jansen 12-17 Kearsney College, DHS 31-10 Framesby, Monument 50-5 Noord-Kaap.
Day three (April 10)
Worcester Gymnasium 8-57 Glenwood, Marlow 25-32 DHS, Monument 41-5 Dale, Westville 22-10 EG Jansen, Framesby 35-7 Noord-Kaap, Kearsney College 24-26 Hartpury College (UK).
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