A tough task awaited Glenwood as they headed up to Botha’s hill to play a Kearsney outfit that has showed good promise so far this season. Glenwood was put under pressure in the first 5 minutes with Kearsney having most of the possession.
Glenwood began to string strong phases together and it was outside centre Conan Le Fleur who broke the Kearsney line to score in the corner, Winger Morne’ Van Rensburg stepped up to add the extra points giving Glenwood a 7-0 lead. Not long after Glenwood’s right winger Morne’ Van Rensburg went over for Glenwood just next to the uprights, Van Rensburg converted his own try 14-0 to Glenwood. Glenwood looked deadly with the ball in hand and it was blindside flanker Renaku Brynard that dotted down, Van Rensburg added the extra’s 21-0 to Glenwood. 10 minutes of back and forth play between the teams resulted in a piece of brilliance between the forwards and backs which Rynardt Jonker finished off in the corner, Van Rensburg stepped up and slotted his fourth to give the Green Machine a 28-0 halftime lead.
Glenwood continued in their rich vein of form in the second half and left winger Janus Hendrikz went over in the first set play, Van Rensburg added the extra’s giving Glenwood a 35-0 lead. Glenwood’s lock forward Edward Laubscher was the next to go over after a strong run breaking Kearsney’s defensive line with ease to go over the whitewash, Van Rensburg added the extra’s once again extending Glenwood’s lead to 42-0. Scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse was the next to get on the scoreboard;
Hendrikse converted his own try taking Glenwood leads out to 49-0. Eight man George Luzolo was next to rumble over with 10 minutes remaining, Hendrikse missing the first kick of the game hooking it left of the uprights 54-0 to Glenwood. Kearsney got their first points of the game when outside centre James Sutherland went over and converted his own try 54-7. Reserve Fly-half Connor Allan put the last nail in the coffin for Kearsney with a fantastic try in the corner; Hendrikse was unable to add the extras. The Green Machine marched on with a convincing win over Kearsney 59-7.
Tries: Le Fleur; Van Rensburg; Brynard; Jonker; Hendrikz; Laubscher; Hendrikse; Luzolo; Allan. Conversions: Van Rensburg (6); Hendrikse (1).
Report by: Travis Nightingale (Marketing Department)
Photos by: Jarrod Swift (Media Club)
From Kearney's perspective
Kearsney hosted the powerhouse of KZN schools on a pleasant afternoon with conditions ideal for rugby. The hosts started well but often spilled the ball in contact against the well-conditioned and physical Glenwood outfit. Glenwood, however, used their opportunities and scored four converted tries unanswered to lead 28 – nil at half time.
Kearsney fought back at the start of the second half but a run-away Glenwood try certainly dampened the hosts’ spirit. The visitors found their straps and created spectacular opportunities with precision passing and acute running angles. They scored a further three converted and two other tries for an impressive nine tries for the match.
The hosts managed a try by substitute Matt du Toit after some good phase play. Fly-half Jacques Odendaal converted.
Kearsney battled with the physicality in the contact areas and their defence was not of the usual high standard. Kearsney lock Ross Taylor and centre James Sutherland played well and Taylor in particular gave his best until the final whistle. Glenwood wwasvictorious at 59 – 7.