Kearsney ends schools sports season with double win

KEARSNEY College’s 1st team enjoyed a good weekend of sport against Clifton College, winning both the rugby and hockey.

Clifton hosted Kearsney at the Riverside Sports Club at the final fixture of the 2016 season for both schools. Kearsney enjoyed a successful season and were determined to end on a high note. They played with a lot of confidence and continued with their attractive and open style. As the final score line of 87-0 suggests, it was a one-sided affair and a total of 13 tries were scored with 11 conversions.

The hosts certainly contested and tackled as much as they could but they met a motivated and slick opponent. The first try was only scored in the eleventh minute of the first half but then with regular intervals thereafter. Cameron Ritchie scored three tries, and Ryan Lewarne, James Sutherland and Dylan Richardson one try each. Sutherland converted five tries to end the first half at 40-0.

Kearsney continued with their assault in the second half and gave the ball air from all over the field. They scored long distance tries, tries from quick tap penalties and at times tries from well worked striker moves. Dylan Richardson added another two tries to his name followed by one try each from James Miller, Luke Croshaw, David Weaver, Matthew Blair and substitute Jared Williamson. Sutherland converted one of these tries and Cameron Craze converted five tries when he was substituted. The final score was 87-0.

In hockey news, Kearsney started slowly and conceded two quick goals to go 2-0 down in the first five minutes. This was a true test for the boys, who remained calm and were able to pull one back just before half time to go into the break at 2-1 down.

The start of the second half saw Kearsney go out strongly and pull another goal back to go 2-2. At this stage they were controlling the game and creating many chances which were not taken, but eventually with about 20 minutes on the clock were able to convert and go ahead for the first time, 3-2. From then on both teams had chances to grab another goal – for Kearsney it would have finished off the game and for Clifton it would have brought them back into it. With about five minutes left Clifton found the equaliser, which saw the game locked at 3-3 with minutes to go.

Kearsney continued to push for the winner, and with 30 seconds on the clock, won a penalty corner. Guy Morgan (Grade 10) stepped up and proved his potential and mental toughness to demand the flick and convert to give Kearsney a well-earned 4-3 win.