Hoërskool Duineveld se netbalspan, ook bekend as die Chillies, het hul seisoen met klinkende oorwinnings geloods by Fichardtpark se sportdag in Bloemfontein.
Die span, gelei deur kaptein, Carmi Liebenberg, het hul vaardigheid op die baan tentoongestel om ‘n rits indrukwekkende oorwinnings te behaal.
Die Chillies het met ‘n telling van 35-18 teen Eunice High School geseëvier, en daarna hul segetog voortgesit deur Hoërskool Sentraal met 31-23 te verslaan en ‘n wegholoorwinning van 53-15 oor Landboudal te behaal.
Onder die bekwame oog van hoofafrigter Madré Steyn en hulpafrigter Riana Becker, het die span ambisieuse doelwitte gestel vir die seisoen wat voorlê.
“Ons eerste doelwit is om weer eerste in die provinsie te eindig en ons plek in die Nasionale Kampioenskappe te verseker,” sê Steyn.
Hulle beoog ook om op nasionale vlak onder die top-10 te eindig, waar hulle teen van die beste spanne in die land meeding.
Boonop is hul vasbeslote om hul titel te verdedig by die Interskole-kompetisie wat vir Augustus geskeduleer is.
Sover dit hul taaiste mededingers aangaan, erken die Chillies dat Hoërskool Upington hul vernaamste plaaslike teëstander is, terwyl Affies die grootste uitdaging bied op nasionale vlak.
Ten spyte van sulke gedugte kompetisie, bly die span gefokus op hul doelwitte en sal hulle nie vir enige uitdagings wat oor hul pad mag kom terugdeins nie.
Geoordeel aan hul prestasies van verlede seisoen, het die Chillies heelwat om op trots te wees. Om die Interskole-toernooi te wen was maar slegs die begin, met hul prestasies by die Nasionale Kampioenskappe, waar hulle 13de geëindig het, wat bewys dat hulle op die hoogste vlak kan meeding.
Die span se sukses by verskeie toernooie, insluitende ‘n tweede en derde plek by onderskeidelik Hoërskool Sentraal en Paarl Girls High se toernooie, verstewig hul reputasie as ‘n krag om mee rekening te hou in die netbalgemeenskap.
Bethlehem Voortrekker First hockey side after their 2-0 win over Diamantveld in the Wesgrow series opener. Photo: BVHS
Bethlehem Voortrekker kicked off their 2024 Wesgrow Series challenge with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Diamantveld in scorching conditions in Kimberley on the weekend.
A brace by centre-forward Steven Fox was the difference between the two sides after four tightly contested quarters.
The Bethlehem boys entered the match on the back of some impressive performances during their pre-season matches at the Balling Festival in late February.
There, coach Nick Kelbrick’s side won three of their five games, beating Witteberg, Monument, and Beaulieu College.
They shared a 2-2 draw with Hoerskool Sasolburg, before going down to Bloemfontein’s Grey College.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools after the Wesgrow clash, Kelbrick said he was delighted with the fight and character shown by his team to overcome a resilient Diamonds side.
“I am proud of my team, especially for the way they played today in this extreme heat in Kimberley. It truly showed the character of the boys,” he said.
“At half-time, I just said we need to do the basics properly, and my backs need to meet the opponents outside the circle, to avoid unnecessary short corners, and clear the ball.”
While he was pleased with the victory, Kelbrick insisted there was still much for his players to improve upon ahead of the long season that lies ahead of them.
He was adamant about wanting to see his strikers leading into space, to keep defences guessing, and he wanted to see his team concentrate and deliver a complete game through all four quarters.
“My boys have come on leaps and bounds this season already,” he reflected.
“I am so proud of the effort they put in every day at practice and how they play for each other and the badge on their chests.
“We have a couple of things to work on as a team. Our strikers just need to work on their touches in the circle, although we did score a fantastic back-post deflection goal today.
“But other than that, I am excited to see what heights we can reach as a team this year.”
Voortrekker’s Jani Faber on the attack during her team’s 7-1 win over Diamantveld in the Wesgrow series opener in Kimberley.
Voortrekker was not only successful in the boys’ section, but the girls also brushed Diamantveld aside, cruising to a 7-1 win.
Coach Kirsten Beneke’s side conceded an early goal in the first quarter but recovered well to dismantle Diamantveld in the next three quarters.
Center-forward Jani Faber, who netted once, was named the player of the match for her performance in leading the Voortrekker attack.
The other goals were scored by Carli Oosthuizen, Elsje Hattingh, Abi Arrangies, and Kelly Visage, while Daniela de Bruyn struck twice.
A fine century by opening batsman Ben Hockly was the key to a 75-run win for Hilton College over Michaelhouse on the Roy Gathorne Oval on Saturday.
After winning the toss, captain Ethan van Heerden put his faith in Hilton’s batsmen and Hockly repaid that faith in spades.
Michaelhouse picked up two wickets in the early going, but when Charles Swart joined Hockly in the middle the momentum swung the visiting side’s way. Swart settled in, playing a supporting role to Hockly, who produced an assured knock.
Hilton was on 25/2 when the pair got together, but they then kept the Michaelhouse bowlers at bay for 36.3 overs, adding 137 runs, before Swart was bowled by Ross Moller for 45. It had been a patient effort, lasting 119 balls.
The visitors suffered a bit of a hiccup when Kyle Christie, the new man in, was run out after only two balls. Then, Hockly followed eight runs later, as Hilton fell to 170/5. He had done a splendid job, however. His 134-ball innings included nine fours and a six and delivered exactly 100 runs.
When Hockly was dismissed, there were 4.4 overs left in the Hilton innings and James Ogilby and Netanzi Denenga made good use of them, putting on 32 runs to lift the visiting team to 202/5 after their 50 overs.
Before the match, a minute’s silence was observed for the late, great Hilton old boy, Mike Procter, and a member of the Hilton College staff, who recently passed away. Photo: Justin Waldman Sports Photography.
Neither managed a boundary, but they kept rotating the strike. Ogilby finished on 11 from 10 deliveries, while Denenga contributed 20 from 20.
Although he didn’t pick up a wicket, Michaelhouse captain Cameron Strudwick bowled superbly. His nine overs cost only 11 runs. Ross Moller, usually very economical with the new ball, came in for a bit of stick, with his 10 overs costing 52 runs, but he did account for Jayden Roux and Charles Swart.
Michaelhouse’s start with the bat was similar to Hilton’s, with two wickets going down early. They, however, were unable to stabilise their innings and, just before 10 overs were bowled, they were in trouble on 44/4, with Michael Spencer having contributed 19. Hilton’s opening bowlers, Netanzi Denenga and Ethan van Heerden had captured two wickets each.
Murray Hall-Jones, in at four, stood firm. However, apart from Hayden Hewlett, who made 19, there was little more of substance. Hewlett was run out and Cameron Strudwick was run out, too, which did not do Michaelhouse’s cause any good.
When Hall-Jones was finally dismissed, caught by David Hill off Denenga’s bowling for 56 from 65 balls, which had included six fours, Michaelhouse were 115/8. They managed only 12 more runs before being bowled out for 127.
Hilton’s captain, Ethan van Heerden, led from the front, knocking over 3/17 in seven overs, while Netanzi Denenga claimed 3/28 in 6.4, and Kyle Christie added 2/19 in six.
It was a convincing victory in which the batsmen on both sides had found the going challenging, which made Hockly’s century for Hilton all the more impressive.
Scores
Hilton College 202/5 (Ben Hockly 100, Charles Swart 45, Netanzi Denenga 20*; Ross Moller 2/52); Michaelhouse 127/10 (Murray Hall-Jones 56; Ethan van Heerden 3/17, Netanzi Denenga 3/28, Kyle Christie 2/19) Hilton College won by 75 runs.
Die losskakel Jeandré Uithaler het Saterdag “uithalerspel” vir Hoërskool Noordheuwel gelewer om sy span tot ‘n hardverdiende sege van 20-12 oor Hoërskool Trio te lei in Kroonstad.
Dit was ‘n riller van ‘n stryd om die seisoen mee af te skop.
Die besoekers het vroeg reeds die eerste slag geslaan toe Lindsey Jansen deur Trio se verdedigingslyn gesny het om tussen die pale te druk.
Uithaler het die ekstras bygevoeg om aan sy span ‘n sewe-punt voorsprong te bied, maar kort daarna het Byron Biennas, Trio se staatmaker in die middeveld, geantwoord met ‘n stafdoel.
Uithaler en Biennas het nog strafdoele uitgeruil om die halftydtelling op 10-6 in die guns van Noordheuwel te staan te bring.
Na rustyd het Biennas voortgegaan om die besoekers met sy stewel te straf, maar die Nories het nietemin daarin geslaag om die tuisspan van hul doellyn weg te hou.
Die span van Kroonstad se losskakel het hulle met 12-10 laat voorloop, maar die voorsprong was van korte duur aangesien Uithaler met ‘n puik lynskop die besoekers weer in Trio se kwartgebied kon kry, vir Mpho Madisaotsile om oor te dryf vir die wendrie.
Die wedstryd was egter tot die laaste fluitjie in die weegskaal.
Met slegs vyf punte wat die twee spanne skei, het Trio aanhou druk toepas, maar Jansen het besit omgekeer, sy ore platgetrek en die Trio-verdediging uitoorlê om weer agter die doellyn te gaan kuier. Die drie is egter nie toegeken nie, maar nog ‘n strafdoel was die laaste spyker in die Trio-kis.
Na twee strawwe voorseisoen-wedstryde is Trio oorgehaal vir hul komende Wesgrow-bepaling teen Hoërskool Sentraal van Bloemfontein volgende naweek.
Die Trio-sportdag het vir hope rugby-aksie gesorg. In die voorlaaste wedstyd van die byeenkoms het Hoërskool Rustenburg so hittete die Grey-kollege “Cherries” laat struikel.
Lorenzo Snyers (senter) het gewys hoe giftig hy kan wees wanneer hy spasie gegee word en, danksy die Rusties se lostrio, bestaande uit MC Smit, Coenraad Coetzer en Dirk Huisamen, het hulle die Bloemfonteiners laat sweet in die eerste 40 minute van die stryd.
Om die waarheid te sê, teen halftyd het Rustenburg ‘n voorsprong van 12-7 geniet, en, met skaars meer as 10 minute oor, was hulle steeds met 26-14 voor.
Grey gaan lê egter nooit.
Die Cherries kon konsolideer om twee keer in die laaste stofe agter die doellyn te gaan kuier, met Heinz Stockenström se ingeoefende skopskoen wat op die ou end die verskil beteken het.
Die Rusties het nietemin met groot eer uit die stryd getree en sal vir heelparty spanne in hul liga vanjaar kopsere besorg.
Grey-kollege II: 28 (7) – Drieë: Jean Rossouw, Gerhard Scholtz, Tian Fourie, JT Laney. Doelskoppe: Heinz Stockenström (4). Hoërskool Rustenburg: 26 (12) – Drieë: Lorenzo Snyers, MC Smit, Zulu Khumalo, Wikus Jacobs. Doelskoppe: Awie Alberts (3).
Ander uitslae
o. 19 – Noordheuwel II 14, Ligbron 12; Grey-kollege III 50, Hoërskool Rustenburg II 14; Hoërskool Trio II 15, Noordheuwel II 13; Grey-kollege VII 31, Hoërskool Trio III 5.
o. 16 – Noordheuwel 38, Hoërskool Trio 0; Noordheuwel B 29, Hoërskool Trio B 17.
o. 15 – Hoërskool Trio 10, Noordheuwel 7; Hoërskool Trio B 45, Noordheuwel B 0.
o. 14 – Noordheuwel 42, Hoërskool Trio 3; Noordheuwel B 15, Hoërskool Trio B 5.
The Rondebosch Boys High team after claiming gold at the KES Water Polo Festival. Photo: Team PhotoSA
Rondebosch Boys’ High‘s Noah Reiback scored four goals in the final of the Standard Bank King Edward VII Water Polo Tournament on Sunday to lead his side to a comfortable 11-7 win over St John’s College.
The title was Rondebosch’s second at the tournament. They previously claimed top honours in 2018.
Leading up to the showdown, the Cape side and the two-time defending champions, St John’s, were unbeaten throughout the weekend, with both playing an attractive and winning brand of water polo.
In the quarterfinals, Rondebosch eliminated Hilton College, winning 12-10, before edging out their Cape Town rivals, Bishops, 12-11, in the final four.
Coach Vlado Trninic’s St John’s side was also dominant and held off St Stithians College 12-11 in the quarterfinals before outscoring SACS 11-8 in their semi-final.
The final was heated, and it began at a high tempo. as Rondebosch opened the scoring early through a five-metre penalty, which was converted by Reiback.
He quickly rushed to his way to a first chukka hattrick, but goals from Greg Pryce and St John’s skipper, Ross Rovelli, kept the defending champions in the match as they trailed 2-3 after the first quarter.
The second chukka saw both keepers, Kamogelo Thobejane (St John’s) and Pierre Du Plessis (Rondebosch), pull off some fine saves, but Rondebosch managed to add three more goals to their tally – through Matthew Galpin, Luke Cartwright, and Reiback – to open up a 6-2 lead at the break.
Coach Jared Wingate-Pearse’s side kept its scoring form in the final two chukkas, adding five goals through Bradley Warneke, Matthew Galpin (2), Matthew De Villiers, and Luke Burger, but St John’s hit back time after time, with goals from Nicholas Searle and Simon Mussett, while the outstanding Pryce added to his tally to claim a hattrick.
The St John’s fightback was in vain, however. The second chukka proved to be the difference as Rondebosch maintained their four-goal cushion, with each side scoring only once in the final quarter.
Rondebosch could have stretched their lead, but both Luke Burger and Bradley Warneke were unsuccessful from the penalty spot.
Those missed opportunities didn’t come back to haunt ‘Bosch as they captured their second KES title six years after their first.
In the playoff for third, Bishops sneaked by SACS 3-2 on penalties. After regulation time, they had been deadlocked at 5-5.
There was also a penalty shootout win for St Stithians College over Hilton College, in the fifth-place playoff, while Paul Roos claimed seventh with a resounding 7-3 victory over the hosts.
Selborne College finished in 10th place, and Clifton College were relegated to 12th place after going down 4-5 to St Andrew’s College.
Rondebosch Boys’ High: Noah Reiback (x4), Matthew Galpin (x2), Luke Cartwright, Harry Soboil, Luke Burger, Bradley Warneke, Matthew De Villiers. St John’s College: Gregory Pryce (x3), Ross Rovelli (x2), Nicholas Searle, Simon Mussett.
Results: Day 3
Westville Boys High 6-4 Clifton College
Selborne College 6-3 St Andrew’s College
Rondebosch 12-11 Bishops
St John’s 11-8 SACS
Jeppe 6-3 Pretoria Boys High
Northwood 5-4 Grey High
St Andrew’s College 5-4 Clifton College
Westville Boys’ High 5(3)-5(2) Selborne College
Paul Roos 7-3 King Edward VII
St Stithians 5(6)-5(5) Hilton College
Bishops 5 (3)-5(2) SACS
Rondebosch 11-7 St John’s
Full Standings
Rondebosch Boys’ High
St John’s College
Bishops Diocesan College
South African College High School
St Stithians College
Hilton College
Paul Roos
King Edward VII
Westville Boys’ High
Selborne College
St Andrew’s College
Clifton College
Northwood School
Grey High
Jeppe High for Boys
Pretoria Boys High
St Stithians College successfully defended their Reef Cup Water Polo Invitational Tournament title on Sunday afternoon, beating St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls 7-5 in an exciting final.
With the victory, Saints ensured their coach, Etienne le Roux, oversaw one last title-winning effort before he moves to the Western Cape, and they did it with style.
On the first day, in their opener, Saints signalled their intent by blanking Falcon College 16-0. Then, in the afternoon, they overran Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool 20-3.
On day two, the hosts maintained their high energy performances to ease past St Peter’s College 11-1 and Reddam House Umhlanga 12-4, to secure their place on top of Pool D.
Matching them win-for-win along the way was St Dominic’s, whose only loss came in the final after they had subjected Saints to a tough examination.
Crawford College (Lonehill) also enjoyed a strong showing, losing one game when they went down 6-8 against Hellenic Academy. On Sunday, they held off Kingsmead, with a 6-5 win leaving them fifth in the final standings.
Third place went to Roedean, who overpowered Hellenic 15-5 in their last match.
In a tight final, St Stithians were on the board first and a second goal, by the outstanding Isabella Imbriolo, gave them a little breathing room.
Jessica Bott responded with a goal for St Dom’s, while Stephanie Stockenstroom and Simphiwe Zulu helped keep St Stithians at bay.
Then Ruby Carlson scored for the Boksburg school to raise the tension in the pool.
It went back and forth, with Saints edging in front and St Dom’s playing catch-up. Courtney Calenborne struck for the home side, but Stephanie Stockenstroom found a fantastic reply for St Dominic’s, sending the ball flying into the corner of the goal.
Saints retaliated through Hannah Lloyd, with a seventh goal, but St Dom’s kept at it. Morgan Harrison quickly found a way through the St Stithians defence, and Amy Hollard added a fifth for St Dominic’s, to ensure St Stithians would not be able to cruise to the title.
They maintained a two-goal gap, however, and secured the win in their home pool.
RESULTS
Pretoria 12-2 Affies
Rand Park 6-10 Steyn City
Maris Stella 11-5 Reddam Helderfontein
St Peter’s 9-10 Tournament Invitation
Woodridge 7-6 Parktown
Falcon 2-7 Reddam Umhlanga
Reddam Bedfordview 14-5 Beaulieu
Crawford 6-5 Kingsmead
Hellenic 5 -15 Roedean
St Stithians 7 – 5 Dominic’s
Final Standings
1. St Stithians College
2. St Dominic’s Catholic Schools for Girls
3. Roedean School
4. Hellenic Academy (Zimbabwe)
5. Crawford College (Lonehill)
6. Kingsmead College
7. Reddam House (Bedfordview)
8. Beaulieu College
9. Reddam House (Umhlanga)
10. Falcon College (Zimbabwe)
11. Woodridge College
12. Parktown High for Girls
13. Tournament Invitation Team
14. St Peter’s College
15. Maris Stella
16. Reddam House (Helderfontein)
17. Steyn City School
18. Rand Park High
19. Pretoria High School for Girls
20. Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool (Pretoria)
Die vreugdevure in die Limpopo het hoog gebrand nadat Hoërskool Ellisras daarin kon slaag om vir Hoërskool Zwartkop, op hul tuisveld, met 21-7 te troef.
Die Rassies was van meet af in beheer en het ‘n daadwerklike waarskuwing gerig aan hul toekomstige opposisie.
Die grondslag vir die sege was voorlangs gelê, met die agtsteman, Funi Simba, wat die kollig gesteel het met sy barslopies wat die besoekers deurentyd op die voorvoet gehou het. Simba het twee van sy span se drie drieë gedruk, terwyl die loskopstut, Wessel Strooh, ewe indrukwekkend was en vroeg reeds deurgebars het om die Rassies se eerste vyf punte aan te teken.
Anzio Swartbooi het in alle fasette van die spel uitgeblink, en al drie sy span se drieë maklik verdoel. Hy was ‘n katalisator vir die Rassies se aanskoulike spel, en het keer op keer spasie vir FJ Drorskie en die res van die agterlyn geskep.
Vir die Zwarries lê daar heelwat werk voor, alvorens die Pretorianers die res van die SDC Noordvaal-beker se Plaat-Afdeling aanpak. Hul haker, Jaden-Lee Conwright, het goed vertoon en, vanaf ‘n kragtige dryfmaalbeweging, die tuisspan se enigste drie gedruk. Die losskakel, Luhardt Booyens, het die drie verdoel en ook belowend op die aanval vertoon.
Hoërskool Pietersburg het ook vir ietwat van ‘n opskudding gesorg deur HoërskoolMontana met 25-20 af te stof. Die Pieties, wat vanjaar in die SDC Noordvaal-beker se Skild-Afdeling meeding, se selfvertroue sou ‘n taamlike hupstoot met hierdie vertoning gekry het.
Die senterpaar, Nick Jones (binnesenter) en Hanno van Zyl (buitesenter), het gewoel in die middeveld en, met hul venynige aanvalslyne, groot vraagtekens oor die Montie-verdediging laat hang. Jones, in besonder, het die besoekers druk besig gehou en is met ‘n vyfpunter van sy eie beloon, na ‘n uitstekende lopie vanuit sy eie halfgebied.
Van Zyl het ook sy skopskoene aangehad en twee van die Pieties se drie drieë, waarvan hy self een gedruk het, verdoel, asook ‘n strafdoel deur die pale gejaag. Die agtsteman, Hardus Otto, kon ook na ‘n uitstekende lopie met vyf punte agter sy naam spog.
Die Monties het nietemin ‘n verbete stryd opgesit. Voorlangs het agtsteman, Richard Botha, heelwat probleme vir die Pieties se verdedigers veroorsaak en ook sy lyf op die spel geplaas met ‘n paar groot duikslae. Die Monties se agterlyn het met rukke en stoote onkeerbaar gelyk. Sam Schoeman, die besoekers se linkervleuel, het daarop gekapitaliseer om kort na rustyd sy span terug in die wedstryd te kry deur een so ‘n beweging mooi af te rond.
Hoërskool Middelburg het, selfs so vroeg in die seisoen, ook na ‘n goed afgeronde span gelyk. Die Middies het hulle rekening vanjaar met ‘n sege van 26-20 teen Hoërskool Eldoraigne oopgemaak. Losskakel, Matthew Abbey, was uitstekend en het nie alleen sekuur pale toe gemik nie, maar dikwels ook die Eldo’s met slim taktiese skopwerk laat omdraai.
Die steelkantflank, Khensani Buthelezi, het self puik vertoon, en, na ‘n stukkie vernuftige voetwerk, agter die besoekers se doellyn gaan kuier. Wandisa Mtembeni (vaskopstut) was egter die groot uitblinker. Hy was oral op die veld in aksie en het, na ‘n vinnige tikskoppie, ook oor die Eldo’s se doellyn gebars vir ‘n drie.
Die Eldo’s het egter gewys waar hulle krag lê. Die span van die Jakarandastad het tot die bittereinde aanhou veg.
Hul plaasvervanger-haker, Jhuandre Meyer, het die terugvegpoging gelei deur die doellyn eerste oor te steek, voordat die steelkantflank, SW Liebenberg, beloon is vir ‘n ywerige vertoning met ‘n drie van sy eie. Losskakel, JP Meyer, het altwee drieë verdoel en ook met twee strafdoele geslaag.
Hoërskool Jeugland het welverdiend met 38-10 as oorwinnars teen Hoërskool Dr. Malan uit die stryd getree. Die span se slotpaar, Shammah Nsenda en Sharon Nsenda, het die vuur voorlangs aangesteek. Shammah het oor Dr. Malan se doellyn gebars vir ‘n tweekuns, terwyl Thando ook ‘n drie gedruk het.
Dian van der Berg was Dr. Malan se beste speler. Hy het die Jeugland-verdedigers deurgaans aangevat en sy span se enigste drie gedruk, wat hy ook self verdoel het.
Kearsney College capped off an outstanding campaign at the Reef Cup Water Polo Invitational Tournament with a 10–8 win over St Alban’s College in the final on Sunday to lift the title.
Both sides were in top form and provided thrilling entertainment as they battled for supremacy in the 44-year-old event, which was hosted by St Stithians College.
Kearsney qualified for the final by dominating Pool C, where they scored 81 goals and conceded only 21, for a goal difference of 60, which was the third-best goal difference during the group stages. They then scored 26 goals and conceded 10 against Reddam Helderfontein and St David’s Marist Inanda in the quarter- and semi-finals.
St Alban’s, on the other hand, sailed through Pool B with ease before overcoming Woodridge 11-8 and Michaelhouse 9-6 in the quarter- and semi-finals respectively.
A cracking final was expected, and the teams did not disappoint.
Despite missing a penalty that could have put the KwaZulu-Natal side ahead, and going down 0-2 in the first few minutes of the first chukka, Kearsney seized control and dominated proceedings.
Coach Nicholas Rodda‘s charges denied St Alban’s possession and camped in front of the Johannesburg side’s goal, which required Chris Evans, the opposition goalkeeper, to make several saves. But Kearsney’s relentless attack was rewarded as they finished the first chukka leading 5–3.
They carried their momentum into the second chukka and quickly buried two goals without reply. But St Alban’s was not done. They fought back and their resilience was rewarded with two goals. At the end of the chukka, though, they trailed their KZN opposition 5–7.
St Alban’s headed into the championship quarter intent on not just equalising but taking control of the match. They had to begin by reducing their two-goal deficit and midway through the chukka they had pulled to within one of Kearsney.
However, just when it seemed that coach Nardus Badenhorst‘s side was on course to level matters, Kearsney brought forth a new wave of energy and pulled away to finish the chukka 9-7 to the good.
In the fourth chukka, the waves of attack went from one end to the other. Much of the quarter was edge-of-seat entertainment, with the sides separated by only one goal after St Alban’s had breached the Kearsney defence early in the final stanza.
But the boys from Botha’s Hill held firm and repulsed the St Alban’s attempts at evening the score. Rodda’s side, though, missed their fair share of chances in front of the St Alban’s goal before Thomas Aylward found the back of the net to re-establish a two-goal advantage.
With the two-goal cushion, Kearsney had two jobs: to minimise St Alban’s shots on goal and to keep out the ones they attempted. They were outstanding on both counts and deservedly finished as the victors.
St David’s and Michaelhouse, who gave the finalists a good run for their money in the semifinals, met with third place on the line. St David’s won that contest 13-7.
Results
Rand Park 13-12 Crawford Lonehill
Beaulieu 6-7 Reddam Bedfordview
Steyn City 7-4 Reddam Umhlanga
Parktown 11-7 Falcon
Glenwood 7-12 St Peter’s
Grey College 10-14 DHS
Reddam Helderfontein 5-8 Woodridge
St Benedict’s 6-11 Affies
St David’s 13-7 Michaelhouse
Kearsney 10-8 St Alban’s
Final Standings
1. Kearsney
2. St Alban’s
3. St David’s
4. Michaelhouse
5. Affies
6. St Benedict’s
7. Woodridge
8. Reddam Helderfontein
9. Durban High School
10. Grey College
11. St Peter’s
12. Glenwood
13. Parktown
14. Falcon College
15. Steyn City
16. Reddam Umhlanga
17. Reddam Bedfordview
18. Beaulieu
19. Rand Park
20. Crawford Lonehill
Somerset College 1st XI after reclaiming The Ashes (Photo provided)
Last year, David Botes led Parel Vallei to a first victory over Somerset College in 21 years of playing for The Ashes, but the Somerset boys wasted no time restoring order when the sides met again on the weekend.
The annual two-day derby has been a highlight of the cricketing calendar in Somerset West for more than two decades now, and the Collegians backed up their dominant record in the event by trouncing Parel Vallei by an innings and 94 runs on Saturday.
Their opening duo, Chad Ayford and the young Owethu Moyi, put their side on the front foot from the off with an aggressive start to their innings.
Ayford raced to 30, off only 21 deliveries, before Josua Smit and Henry Jones combined to remove the visitors’ dangerman. Moyi (45), however, continued the positive start, striking nine boundaries, while Eden Scott (25) and captain, Tyrone Rieth (22) added useful scores.
Christopher Hughes took full advantage of the helpful pitch to get rid of four Somerset batsmen and keep the run rate in check, but his namesake from Somerset College, Callum Hughes, took control of the match when he stepped to the crease.
Batting in difficult conditions, he scored a match-defining 91 runs and helped advance the total to 247/8, which is when the visitors declared.
Hughes was soon back into the thick of the action, opening the bowling alongside Thomas Parsons, who has taken in excess of 100 wickets for the Somerset 1st XI during his time in the side.
The duo picked off the Parel Vallei openers before Hughes was given a rest after his long batting stint. This led to the introduction of Chad Ayford and Tyler Crafford to the attack, and they tore through the hosts’ lineup, dismissing them for a dismal 49 before choosing to enforce the follow-on.
Crafford snared five PV batters for only 20 runs, while Ayford needed only 20 deliveries to snare 3/5.
The next day, the Somerset management changed their tactics, using Troy Varie and Daniel Kaplan to open their bowling, with great success.
Employing an extremely attacking field, with short leg and short cover under helmets and right up to the crease, the visiting side cut through Parel Vallei’s lineup once again.
Ethan Simpson (20) provided some resistance at the very end of the Parel Vallei innings, but Kaplan captured 6/34 as Somerset College secured a convincing victory and closed out their season by reclaiming the coveted Ashes trophy.
Scores
Somerset College first innings 247/8 (Callum Hughes 91, Owethu Moyi 45, Chad Ayford 30, Eden Scott 25, Tyrone Rieth 22; Christopher Hughes 4/49, Josua Smit 2/72); Parel Vallei first innings 49/10 (Christopher Hughes 11; Tyler Crafford 5/20, Chad Ayford 3/5); Parel Vallei second innings 104/10 (Ethan Simpson 20; Daniel Kaplan 6/34, Callum Hughes 2/21). Somerset College won by an innings and 94 runs.
After two days of cricket, which included a rained-out final on Saturday, St John’s College was crowned the champion of this year’s Johnny Waite T20 tournament after beating St Stithians College by 21 runs at the University of the Witwatersrand on Sunday.
Alec Loveland was a difference-maker for St John’s, playing a key role with the bat and the ball, and deservedly being named the man of the match.
When St John’s batted, he scored a patient 38 from 43 balls, while wickets fell all around him. It was a hugely important contribution as St Stithians were set 125 to win. Then, Loveland captured 3/16 from four overs to leave the Saints’ middle order and their run chase in tatters.
St John’s College all-rounder Alec Loveland delivered a man of the match-winning performance when it was most needed.
Richard Seletswane, who had been racking up the runs – with 77 not out in the semi-final win over KES, and 60 not out in Saturday’s rained-out final – added to his tally by top scoring for St Stithians with 40 runs from 42 balls, which included three fours and a six. However, Saints managed only one other four in their innings and, unfortunately for the classy right-handed batsman, his team-mates were unable to build upon the foundation he had laid for them.
Cole Francis, the tall right-arm fast bowler, cleaned up the Saints’ tail, adding three wickets to the earlier crucial dismissal of Emile Odendaal, just when he was threatening to take the game away from St John’s.
Earlier in the match, after winning the toss, left-hander Joe MacRobert carried his good form from the semi-finals into the final by compiling a well-played 42 runs from 36 balls, which included five fours.
Saints’ spinner Tahseen Hanslo gave St John’s trouble, snagging 3/22 from his four overs. His victims included the prized wickets of MacRobert and Loveland, the leading run scorers for St John’s, which stemmed the flow of runs and reduced the scoring rate.
Final
St Johns College 124/6 (Joe MacRobert 42, Alec Loveland 38; Tahseen Hanslo 3/22 Ethan Jacobs 2/21); St Stithians College 103/9 (Richard Seletswane 40 runs, Emile Odendaal 24; Cole Francis 4/23, Alec Loveland 3/16) St Johns College won by 21 runs.
St Stithians College successfully defended their Reef Cup Water Polo Invitational Tournament title on Sunday afternoon, beating St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls 7-5 in an exciting final.
After two days of cricket, which included a rained-out final on Saturday, St John’s College was crowned the champion of this year’s Johnny Waite T20 tournament after beating St Stithians College by 21 runs at the University of the Witwatersrand on Sunday.