Hosts KES were involved in a 73-point thriller against Queen’s College as the annual Easter rugby festivals got underway across the country on Thursday.

On day one of the KES Easter Festival, the hosts held on for a 37-36 win against Queen’s in an exciting match where the lead changed hands several times.

At the St John’s Festival, Boland Landbou played to a 25-25 draw against Noordheuwel, while Paul Roos claimed a 50-6 win against Welkom Gim.

The highlight of the day at St Stithians was the game between Grey High and Bishops, where the Cape school had to fight back to win 31-20 in the second half.

In KwaZulu-Natal, the 13th Kearsney Easter Rugby Festival kicked off in beautiful, warm sunshine following a week of the province being battered by heavy rains. The big game on day one saw Glenwood take on Pretoria Boys’ High and the Durban school won 29-12 after leading 22-12 at half time.

Play at Kearsney opened with a minute’s silence for the two Dale College First XV players, Liyabona Teyise and Lisakhanya Lwana, who died recently. Dale has participated in several Kearsney festivals, including the inaugural edition in 2008.

The festivals are set to continue on Saturday.

Easter Festivals results (day one):

KES
Trinityhouse 12 Northcliff 40
Nico Malan 21 Durbanville 52
Ben Vorster 22 Centurion 12
Jeppe Invitational 12 Eldoraigne 20
KES 37 Queen’s 36
Northwood 25 Hudson Park 19

St Stithians
St Andrew’s 29 St Alban’s 15
Maritzburg 32 Michaelhouse 33
Clifton 10 St Stithians 15
Parktown 7 Wynberg 49
Grey High 20 Bishops 31

St John’s
Helpmekaar 7 Graeme 10
Paarl Boys’ High 83 Lions Invitational 0
Hilton 62 St Benedict’s 3
Boland Landbou 25 Noordheuwel 25
St Charles 12 St David’s 19
Paul Roos 50 Welkom Gim 6
St John’s 5 Nelspruit 24

Kearsney
Kearsney College 10 Marlow 14
Durban High 23 Waterkloof 5
Westville Boys’ 20 Monument 33
Noord-Kaap 17 Selborne 43
Glenwood 29 Pretoria Boys’ 12
Framesby 22 EG Jansen 19

Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images