Easter weekend delivers in style: Festival Round Up Part 1 - Kwa-Zulu Natal edition

Schoolboy rugby shone bright these past few days, as four Festivals took center stage over the Easter Period

Festivities were ripe this past weekend as rugby fans were treated to four fantastic festivals on top of a four-day long weekend. From Kearsney College to Johannesburg’s three representative schools, numerous major rugby 1st XVs took to the fields of the festivals. Let’s start the action off with the 16th edition of Kearsney College’s Easter Festival. 

The province of Kwa-Zulu Natal saw Kearsney College’s rugby festival take center stage. Overall, 12 top XVs took their place in an 18 game weekend. With added entertainment from primary schools and a first ever girls section. Each high school side played a total of 3 times across the extended weekend; with some stand-out names including Durban High School, Westville, Monument, Milnerton, Glenwood and Durbanville. 

Day One, the 17th of April, saw comprehensive victories for Milnerton and DHS (34-18 vs Zimbabwe outfit Peterhouse and 41-7 against Rustenburg respectively) and Westiville’s riot against Framesby to close the day off. However, the pick of the day’s action would see a dramatic 26-26 match containing Monument and Glenwood. Both sides were equally up for the victory throughout, with each enjoying leads as the game progressed. The first half was to be won by the KZN outfit, 19-14. However, the thriller was to be decided by Monument's substitute, Jayden Viljoen, who would have the final say. Scoring and converting his try in the last five minutes to ensure that the team from Krugersdorp shared the spoils. 

Day Two saw Westville cruise again, this time against EG Jansen 36-5 as well as DHS getting the better of Monument, 32-17, proving why they were recently ranked 6th best in the country. A final game against Durbanville on Monday would determine if they would 

go a second year unbeaten at the festival. Throughout the four festivals, one of the top affairs also took place in Botha’s Hill on Saturday. Western Cape reps, Milnerton delivered a stunning comeback in the first half, after a determined Glenwood side took a 29 point lead. Milnerton responded terrifically though, forcing the gap to just 5 at the

break. Things would escalate further in the second half as Milnerton superstar, Chadwin Sellidon would convert his second try after he scored the first drop goal of the festival, tying things up at 34 apiece. His 10 point second half was not enough in the end however, as Glenwood would convert a last-play penalty to seal a dramatic victory. 37-34 the end score. 

Day Three brought a highly dramatic and top-class festival to an end, with Milnerton once again falling victim to a tight affair, losing to Monument 26-21, and Glenwood ending unbeaten after victory versus Dale College, 33-12. Wins for Westville and DHS saw both finish a fantastic festival campaign with a perfect record. Rapping the festival up were the hosts at 3.40pm kick off. A full team display followed, seeing the side give the fans a terrific 48-8 victory against the side from Zimbabwe, Peterhouse. 

Wrapped up on Monday, the Kearsney festival was a delightful display of rugby action. Big festival results from Westville, Glenwood and DHS took form while some entertaining fixtures took centre stage. Ending the Easter festival season with pure class and passionate youngsters showing us what they are capable of. Be sure to check out all the action from KZN on the Supersport Schools app or website.