Last-gasp try stuns erratic Overseas

Overseas 22
Kavallieri 25

Kavallieri revived the old passion as they snatched a win in the closing minutes in a league match against Overseas who wasted so many scoring opportunities.

The return of Bartolo at prop was a boost and for most of the match the Kavallieri forwards had the edge. Leman, at fly-half, also brought direction and shape to the Kavallieri backs whose passing was superior throughout.

Kavallieri opened the scoring after a penalty was kicked into the corner and the traditonal driving maul put Bonavia in for an unconverted try.

Overseas hit back and an excellent kick by Du Toit, followed by Gibson, took Overseas to the line but a try was disallowed and the Kavallieri defence clear from a penalty.

But Overseas soon took the lead as they lobbed and fumbled the ball wide to Jones whose speed took him round one defender and broke the covering tackle. Du Toit converted.

Time and again Overseas won promising balls but poor passing was letting them down, even with overlaps.

The Kavallieri lineout was winning cleaner possession and with Leman marshalling the backline they were a potent force against the faster, but ill-directed, Overseas.

On one occasion, Rulli made a superb break before releasing Jones who, however, dropped the ball with the Kavallieri line at his mercy.

Then, from yet another big overlap and despite some shaky moments, the ball reached Jones who guided a scoring pass to MacRae.

Kavallieri were stung into action until Overseas’ desperation incurred yet another penalty. The ball was popped into the corner and scrumhalf Fiori was in for his team’s second try.

Overseas attacked and this time the try was missed because of an awful pass from Boland to the wing. Another wave of attacks saw them pressing the stretched and courageous Kavallieri defence, until another penalty cleared the lines.

Indeed, the half-time score of 12-10 was a big achievement for Kavallieri against such a strong wind.

But, Overseas started the second half strongly as Jones sped through for a comfortable try.

Soon after, a promising passing move along the Kavallieri line was intercepted by Du Toit who ran in for an easy score.

At 22-10 it looked game over... but not so for Kavallieri.

A hopeless mess by Overseas in fielding the restart simply gave Kavallieri territory which was immediately used by popping a penalty into the corner and Bonavia to score his second try.

Again wayward passing by Overseas gave away ground so Kavallieri found themselves applying the pressure in the same corner until Debierre scored with a double swerve.

This led to a long period of territorial pressure by the rampant Kavallieri.

A try was disallowed and it looked as if the resolute Overseas defenders were going to hold out until a final drive for the line released Fiori for the winning try.