Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival Day One: Thursday 14 April 2021

 The 13^th Standard Bank Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival kicked off in beautiful, warm sunshine following a week of KwaZulu-Natal being battered by heavy rains. The Stott looked magnificent and in good condition, ready to welcome back players and spectators after seeing little action for two years during the Covid pandemic. Play opened with a minute’s silence for the two Dale College 1^st XV players, Liyabona Teyise and Lisakhanya Lwana, who tragically died recently.  Dale has participated in several Kearsney festivals, including the inaugural one in 2008.

MATCH 3  WESTVILLE BOYS’ HIGH 20 – 33 HOëRSKOOL MONUMENT

Two heavy packs of forwards and slick backs saw the first half between Westville and Monument produce some exciting and enterprising rugby.

At the break Monument led 26-10 after five tries had been scored.  They had gone into an early lead when centre Conrad Sevenster went over after a diving maul, converted by Tylor Sefoor. A second try was scored after a second driving maul. This time it was flank Evan Retief who came up with the ball. Sefoor kicked his second conversion. Westville made some good advance when wing Tristan Parsons passed inside to supporting fullback Tshegofatso Ramaloko who ran 20m to score. This was converted by Jones who added a further three points, after a penalty a few minutes later, narrowing the score line to 10-14.

Both sides continued to attack but it was Monument who fed off some handling mistakes by Westville, allowing them to go further ahead. Good passing at pace saw centre Zain Henery dive over again, which was well converted by Sefoor to increase their lead to 21-10. Monument continued to attack, with fullback Jody Schambreel showing good pace to score their fourth try to lead 26-10 at the break. Westville closed the gap after wing Tristan Parsons sped down the left touchline to score.

Monument then used their driving maul to good effect once more, when Sefoor received the ball from his forwards to score. He converted his own try for Monument to lead 33-15. Westville did not lie down and they were rewarded when fullback Ramaloko scored and the difference narrowed to 13 points. The game ended at 20-33 but it had been a game of excellent movement and excitement for the growing crowd.

Point scorers:

• Westville: Tries Ramaloko 2, Parsons; Conversion Jones; Penalty Jones
• Monument: Tries Schambreel, Henery, Sevenster, Retief, Sefoor; Conversions Sefoor (4)

Game 3 Monument Point scorer Tylor Sefoor

Game 3 try scorer Tylor Sefoor

Game 3 Westville try scorer & full back Tshegofatso Ramaloko

All photos by TRACEY VAN DEN AARDWEG