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The Grey College 1st XI enjoyed their short trip to Vossie’s Field on Friday to take on the home side, St Andrew’s School, in a fixture that traditionally determines the number one team in the Free State. On this occasion, it was, emphatically, Grey’s day.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Grey found the pitch to their liking, although opener Christian Kind was out for only seven. That brought Henru de Wet to the middle, where he joined Cullen Marais, and they combined for a decisive second wicket stand of 115.

Marais was then dismissed by FG Botha, who had the opener caught by Dakalo Leketa for 82. It was a valuable contribution, which took only 92 balls, and delivered 12 fours and two sixes.

De Wet nailed down his end until the 42nd over, when Leketa had him caught for 60, which had come from 105 balls, and included five fours and a six.

There were further useful innings from Ruben Maree, with 28, and Pieter Smit, with 21, which helped Grey College to 230/7 at the completion of their 50 overs.

Andrew Sobiech, who got rid of Kind, and then prevented Grey accelerating at the end of their innings by taking a further three wickets, finished with 4/48 from nine overs.

Off-spinner Dakalo Leketa, as always, was tight ‘n tidy, picking up 1/31 in 10.

The St Andrew’s reply got off to a good start, before Naudé Botha was caught by Ruben Maree off the bowling of Casper Troskie for a quickfire 22 from 17 balls, which featured four fours.

Saints passed the fifty-mark, but Jonathan Hickley, Botha’s opening partner, was then run out for 10. Meanwhile, FG Botha enjoyed the Grey bowling. He recorded the highest score of the St Andrew’s innings, striking 10 fours in his 49, from only 43 balls, before he was bowled by Daniel Hattingh.

It was Hattingh who also destroyed the home team’s middle order, while Darion Rabie kept them tied down. In 10 overs, Hattingh claimed 5/26, while Rabie contributed 1/21 in nine.

Only Andrew Sobiech and Dakala Leketo joined the top three batsmen in the order in double figures, just, and that meant that Saints were unable to mount any sort of challenge to Grey’s solid total.

Their innings finished in the 36th over, when JC Young was taken by Henru de Wet off Kamo Mokoena for five, leaving St Andrew’s all out for 140, and Grey College the winners by 90 runs.

Scores

Grey College 230/7 (Cullen Marais 82, Henru de Wet 60, Ruben Maree 28, Pieter Smit 21; Andrew Sobiech 4/48, Nikhil Sukraj 1/18); St Andrew’s School 140/10 (FG Botha 49, Naudé Botha 22; Daniel Hattingh 5/26, Kamo Mokoena 1/0) Grey College won by 90 runs.

BLOEMFONTEIN. – Die derde keer was toe nie skeepsreg nie.

Die Hoërskool Fichardtpark het sy rieme met 13-27 teen Wesvalia van Klerksdorp in die hoofwedstryd van sy jaarlikse Standard Bank Fichardtpark Sportdag vasgeloop.

Kyk die wedstryde tydens die sportdag weer op SuperSport Schools (www.supersportschools.com).

Dit was die derde keer wat die twee spanne mekaar die afgelope drie jaar op die rugbyveld ontmoet. Die Fichies se Leeus was in 2022 (29-3) en 2023 (17-5) baas.

Die besoekers het egter reeds vroeg dit duidelik gemaak dat hulle van plan was op die bordjies te verhang. Dit was veral die stormlope deur die agtsteman, Hanré Venter, asook die haker, Junior Kuhn, wat die tuisspan probleme besorg het.

Venter was voorlangs die groot doring in Fichies se vlees en het telkens die voordeellyn oorgesteek. Die Leeus het egter nooit moed opgegee nie. Dit was veral hul loskopstut, Zaine van Zyl, wat voorlangs die vonk verskaf het.

Van Zyl het die bal goed gedra asook op verdediging sy lyf op die spel geplaas. Sy mede voorryman, Nathan Swanepoel, was ook ‘n geval van hoe later hoe kwater. Swanepoel het al hoe meer die bal begin dra asook met sy skoonmaakwerk by die afbreekpunte.

Wesvalia was sonder twyfel die beste span op die veld. Die besoekers het waarskynlik ‘n groter voorsprong verdien as wat die telling van 12-8 teen rustyd aangedui het. Sy kantman Franco Dumond het kort na die aanvang van die tweede helfte gaan druk om sy voorsprong tot 19-8 te rek.

Fichies se skrumskakel, Devanté Claasen, en sy direkte teenstander, Chad Hofmeyer, het mekaar ook behoorlik opgekeil. Dit was Claasen se derde kragmeting teen Wesvalia vir die Fichie Leeus.

Vir die Hoërskool Sentraal was dit so amper stamper of hulle het die bordjies teen die Hoërskool Noord-Kaap verhang. Northerns het uiteindelik met 28-22 as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap.

Die Tralies het eerste bloed geruik in die negende minuut toe sy binnesenter, SJ Coetzee, oor die doellyn gebars het.

Northerns kon eers met slegs 11 minute oor in die kragmeting vir die eerste keer die voortou danksy ‘n drie deur sy flank Tyron China (19-17). Dit was veral die span van Kimberley se heelagter, Jonaden Links, wat ‘n groot doring in die Tralies se vlees was.

Links is goed op die aanval deur die regtervleuel, Aphiwe Siyona, ondersteun. Die twee het telkens daarin geslaag om bresse te slaan.

Die Tralies het verlede jaar op die einste sportdag ‘n drag slae van 0-43 teen Noord-Kaap op die lyf geloop. Vanjaar se span het egter gewys dat hy oor heelwat meer durf beskik.

Buiten Coetzee kan die losskakel, Pat Cloete, asook die flank Juandré Jardim meer as tevrede met hul vertonings voel.

Puntemakers:

Wesvalia 27 (12) – Drieë: Ben Bierman, Hanré Venter, Franco Dumond, Junior Kuhn. Doelskoppe: Rickardt van Heerden (2). Strafdoel: Van Heerden. Fichardtpark 13 (8) – Drieë: Ayanda Qinisa, Martin Kalp. Strafdoel: Devanté Claasen.

Noord-Kaap 28 (7) – Drieë: JP Alexander, Jonaden Links, Abdul Fischer, Tyron China. Doelskoppe: Abdul Fischer (4). Sentraal 22 (10) – Drieë: Pat Cloete, SJ Coetzee, Liam Pretorius, CJ Hertzog. Doelskop: Aiden Gotsch.

The Johnny Waite T20 Final on Saturday -between Stithians College and St John’s College – ended with the weather having the final say as the match was abandoned after only 14.2 overs had been played, with Saints powering their way to 115/3 in that time.

Opening batsman and South African u19 star, Richard Seletswane, took to the St John’s attack with relish, scoring 60 runs from 42 balls, which included three fours and four sixes. He was still at the crease when the storm rolled in.

Seletswane opened the Saints’ innings with his SA u19 teammate and rising star, Kwena Maphaka, who was sent up the order to give the ball a good whack. He weighed in with 14 runs from 12 balls, but David Ireland then rattled his timber to send him on his way.

Before the premature end to the contest, Alec Loveland was pick of the St John’s bowlers, capturing an economical 1/15 from three overs.

The unfortunate timing of the thunderstorm meant the match would have to be played from the start at Wits University on Sunday.

Earlier, on Saturday, both teams were in semi-final action, playing for a place in the title-decider later in the day.

Semi-final 1:

In a tight affair, St John’s College took on Jeppe High School for Boys and recorded a narrow three-run victory after successfully defending a low total of 111 all out.

After a solid 47-run opening partnership from Joe MacRobert (29, 14b) and Nkosana Sibiya (28, 25b), the St John’s middle order collapsed, as five wickets went down in the space of four overs.

Luke Cannon and Chris Elston shared seven wickets between them to undo the good work done by the St John’s opening pair. Left-arm spinner Sipho Potsane also bowled well, picking up 2/14 from his four overs, after taking the new ball responsibilities.

Chasing a moderate total, Jeppe would have fancied their chances, but they struggled against an energetic effort from St John’s in the field. Aiden Reyenke struck a valiant 38 runs from 30 balls, which included three sixes and two fours, but there was little meaningful support for the number three batsman.

Cole Francis was outstanding for St John’s at the death, conceding only eight runs from his last two overs, with the final over going for only three, which made the crucial difference in a hard-fought battle.

Semi-final 2

St Stithians College cruised to a 64-run win after posting 155/2 in their match against King Edward VII (KES). Richard Seletswane starred with 77 not out from 56 balls, which included three fours and four sixes.

He rode his luck after being caught off a no-ball, and the KES mood was dampened further when Emile Odendaal (31, 31b) was dropped on 15.

Callum Ritchie nabbed 1/27 from his four overs and was, by far, the pick of the bowlers.

In their reply, KES struggled to build any sort of momentum after finding themselves in trouble on 19/3 before the end of the powerplay. Kwena Mapaka kept KES locked down, going for only four runs from his two overs up front.

Joshua Meyer delivered a decisive return for Saints, picking up 3/16 from his four overs, which included a number of key batsmen in the KES middle order, and that served to further dial up the pressure on their run chase.

Afterwards, KES coach Vincent Jordaan, commenting on the spilled opportunities, which would have seen Seletswane and Odendaal dismissed, said: “In big games you need to win those moments.”

Scores

Final

St Stithians College 115/3 from 14.2 overs (Richard Seletswane 60*, David Ireland 1/13, Alec Loveland 1/15) Match abandoned.

Semi-Final 1

St Johns College 111/10 (Joe MacRobert 29, Nkosana Sibiya 28, Luke Cannon 4/19, Chris Elston 3/13, Sipho Potsane 2/14); Jeppe High School for Boys 108/8 (Aiden Reyneke 38; David Ireland 2/13, Malan Du Plessis 2/39) St Johns College won by 3 runs. 

Semi-Final 2

St Stithians College 155/2 (Richard Seletswane 77*, Emile Odendaal 31*; Callum Ritchie 1/27); King Edward VII 91/9 (Khwezi Nyamathe 24; Joshua Meyer 3/16, Ethan Jacobs 2/18) St Stithians won by 64 runs.

Rondebosch Boys’ High reclaimed the BishBosch bragging rights on Saturday with a spectacular victory over a Bishops Diocesan College side that has set the pace all season long.

Punishing the Bishops bowlers on the Frank Reid Oval, the visiting batsmen smashed a total of 32 boundaries, with 14 flying all the way for the maximum, as they posted a solid 267 all out in 62 overs.

Nathan Ball set Rondebosch on their way with a well-struck 40 off of 87 deliveries, despite early successes for Tiaan Louw and Waco Bassick, which restricted ‘Bosch to 21/2 in the early going.

Declan Gillespie joined Ball at the crease and their partnership bolstered the Rondebosch total by a further 109 runs before Bassick struck again.

Gillespie’s 77 runs from 87 balls gave his side the boost it needed to take control of the match, but it was Joshua Neill, batting at seven, who dealt a knockout blow to the home team.

He charged to 88 off only 75 deliveries, while blasting seven sixes along the way. When Louw finally sent Neill packing – his third wicket, which brought the innings to an end – Neill and co had amassed a healthy total to defend.

Bassick snared five wickets for 43 runs to lead the bowling figures for Bishops, as he and Louw have done throughout the season. The heavy hitters from Rondebosch, however, had put their side in a strong position as the hosts came out to bat.

Bishops’ outstanding opening pair, Adnaan Lagadien (44) and Kashief Joseph (25) gave the hosts a solid start but, when Tim Short removed both batsmen, a batting collapse followed.

Daniel Bosman (3/31) and Short each accounted for three Diocesan College batsmen, and Nathan Ball backed up his fine innings by taking two wickets without conceding a single run in four overs.

Hlumelo Mweba then trapped the final Bishops’ batsman in front with the first delivery of the 51st over to give Rondebosch Boys’ High a massive boost at the end of their season, with a sweet victory over their rivals, who have enjoyed a dream-season.

Meanwhile, Wynberg Boys’ High had to settle for a draw against SACS despite their captain, Beni Hansen (93) and Divan Linde (83) leading their team to an imposing 268/7.

SACS were on the ropes at 186/8 with six overs left to play, but failing light meant the match had to be abandoned before Luke Kleinsmith (3/24) and co could finish the job.

Summarised Scorecards

Rondebosch Boys’ High 267 (Joshua Neill 88, Declan Gillespie 77, Nathan Ball 40, David Simon 21; Waco Bassick 5/43, Tiaan Louw 3/61); Diocesan College 130 (Adnaan Lagadien 44, Kashief Joseph 25; Tim Short 3/23, Daniel Bosman 3/31, Nathan Ball 2/0). Rondebosch Boys’ High won by 137 runs.

Wynberg Boys’ High School 268/7 (Beni Hansen 93, Divan Linde 83, Michail Tarentaal 29; Nicholas Oscroft 4/47, Reece Theunis 2/66); SACS 186/8 (Keiron Bowers 40, Litha Kraai 38, Reece Theunis 27, Luke Whitehead 24, Reza Salie 24; Luke Kleinsmith 3/24, Divan Linde 2/23). Match drawn.

The hosts, St Stithians College, continued on their winning ways at the 2024 Reef Cup Water Polo Invitational Tournament on Saturday evening by beating Hellenic Academy, of Harare, 9-3 in the last match of the day.

Saints, who are the defending champions, have been on fire since the tournament began on Thursday, winning all of their matches convincingly thus far.

They started with 16-0 victory over Falcon College, which was followed by a 20-3 thumping of Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool. Saints were at their best in the opening chukka of that game, finding the back of the net an astonishing nine times.

On the second day, the hosts cruised to an 11-1 win over St Peter’s College. A 12-4 victory over Reddam House Umhlanga sealed top spot in Pool D.

St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls also boasts a clean record, but they very nearly lost it against Roedean School. The teams went blow-for-blow and a draw looked like it was on the cards before a late goal tilted the final score 8-7 in St Dom’s favour.

Meanwhile, Crawford College (Lonehill) fell from the ranks of the undefeated when they were handed a 6-8 loss by Hellenic Academy.

Saints appear to be on course to defend their crown, but that will be decided in the pool on Sunday, and St Dominic’s will be keen to change that narrative. The final takes place at 13:10 and the action is live on SuperSport Schools.

RESULTS

Hellenic Academy 9-2 Woodridge
Reddam Bedfordview 8-4 Parktown
Kingsmead 4-3 Falcon
Reddam Umhlanga 5-6 Beaulieu
Pretoria 4-5 Maris Stella
Tournament Invitation 8-7 Steyn City
Rand Park 4-14 St Peter’s
Reddam Helderfontein 14-4 Affies
Roedean 6–2 Kingsmead
Beaulieu 2-12 St Dominic’s
Hellenic 8-6 Crawford
St Stithians 6-5 Reddam Bedfordview
Pretoria 3-4 Rand Park
Steyn City 14-3 Affies
Falcon 5-3 Woodridge
Reddam Umhlanga 8-6 Parktown
St Peter’s 4-3 Maris Stella
Tournament Invitation 13–6 Reddam Helderfontein
St Dominic’s 8–7 Roedean
Beaulieu 1-7 Kingsmead
Reddam Bedfordview 3–4 Crawford
St Stithian’s 9–3 Hellenic

Day 4, Sunday 3 March 2024 @ St Stithians College, Sandton

07h50 – (#63) Pretoria v Affies  (#64) Rand Park v Steyn City, (#65) Girls loser Game 57 v Girls loser Game 58, 09h30 – (#66) Girls winner Game 57 v Girls winner Game 58, (#67) Woodridge v Parktown, (#68) Falcon v Reddam Umhlanga,11h10 – (69) Girls Loser Game 61 v Girls Loser Game 60,(#70) Girls winner Game 61 v Girls winner Game 60, (71) Girls loser Game 62 v Girls loser Game 59; 13h10 – (72) Girls winner Game 62 v Girls winner Game 59

Hoërskool Diamantveld het hul veldtog in vanjaar se Wesgrow-reeks op ‘n manjifieke wyse afgeskop deur Voortrekker van Bethlehem voor hul tuisskare in Kimberley met 18-6 te klop.

Beleef al die aksie weer op SuperSport Schools – Registreer nou – Skakel na die wedstryd

Die Trekkers het die vorige ontmoeting tussen hierdie twee spanne met 46-17 gewen, en het Saterdag weer die eerste punte aangeteken met ‘n strafdoel deur Christian van der Sandt.

Kort daarna het Diamantveld se bul van ‘n agsteman, Enrique Boshoff, egter oor die besoekers se doellyn gebars, nadat sy voorspelers die Trekkers se verdediging ingetrek het.

Dit was die enigste punte wat in die eerste helfte aangeteken is, maar, al was daar nie veel drieë nie, was daar geen tekort aan aksie in die tweestryd nie.

Marno Greeff was orals op die veld betrokke. Hy was aan die voorpunt van die Diamonds se aanslag en het boonop ‘n paar groot duikslae uitgevoer om op verdediging verdere druk op die besoekers te plaas.

Die Trekkers se losskakel, Kaneng Komane, was ewe indrukwekkend. Hy het gevaarlik gelyk op die teenaanval en het ‘n paar van die groot manne van Kimberley in twee gevou op die verdediging.

Die tuisspan se voorspelers het stelselmatig egter hul stempel op die wedstryd begin afdruk, en die groot stut, FJ de Vries, het laat in die tweede die nodige energie bymekaargeskraap om bo-oor ‘n paar Voortrekker-verdedigers te storm om sy span behoorlik op die voorvoet te plaas.

Carel Viljoen (vleuel) het kort daarna in die hoekie oorgeduik om die tuisspan se voorsprong te vergroot.

Simon Liversage het die doelskop uitstekend waargeneem van teenaan die kantlyn, maar het homself ongelukkig beseer in die proses. Hy het gewys dat hy ‘n groot bate vir Diamantveld is, en hulle sal hoop dat hy spoedig herstel. Greeff het die stelskopwerk in Liversage se afwesigheid waargeneem en met strafdoel in die doodsnikke die sege vir sy span beklink.

Dit was ‘n aksiebelaaide dag van skolerugby in Kimberley, met die o. 16 en o. 15 A-wedstryde wat ook naelbytstryde afgegee het.

Diamantveld se eerstespan, wat onder nuwe bestuur is, behoort heelwat vertroue uit hierdie oorwinning te put. Voortrekker is gedugte teenstanders en dit verg heelwat om hulle te verhoed om ‘n enkele drie aan te teken.

Volgende naweek toets Diamantveld hul staal teen die besoekende Afrikaanse Hoër Seunsskool uit Pretoria, voordat hulle hul Wesgrow-veldtog voortsit teen Hoërskool Trio in Kroonstad.

Puntemakers:

Hoërskool Diamantveld 18 (5) – Drieë: Enrique Boshoff, Carel Viljoen. Doelskop: Simon Liversage. Strafdoel: Liversage, Marno Greeff. Voortrekker 6 (3) – Strafdoele: Christian van der Sandt (2).

Ander spanne:

o. 16 A: Voortrekker 14, Diamantveld 10
o. 15 A: Diamantveld 13, Voortrekker 12
o. 14 A: Voortrekker 33, Diamantveld 22

After Stellenberg came out on top in their interschools match a couple of weeks ago, and Hoërskool Durbanville hit back during the week to claim the Sammy Bloch Trophy, the rival schools will face each other for a third time when they compete in the Western Province North Zone League final next Saturday.

Xander van Aarde drove the Durbies to victory with a brilliant, undefeated innings of 43 runs at the tail end of their match against Fairmont to secure a heart-stopping one-wicket win.

Meanwhile, Wilhelm Smet‘s 102 not out secured victory for Stellenberg against Edgemead.

With both of their season’s head-to-head encounters being decided by less than 15 runs, the table has been set for a thrilling tie-breaker next weekend.

Edgemead scored 200 runs, batting first, against Stellenberg, with Daniel Haschick doing a lot of the grunt work for his side, compiling 89 runs off of 111 deliveries, before JJ Rothman dismissed him.

Abdullah Muhammad also offered stiff resistance, scoring 31 at a run a ball, which included five boundaries, before Gerrad Kamalie put a stop to his innings.

Kamalie gave the Edgemead lineup fits, capturing 4/29, and he also effected the run-out that closed the book on their innings.

After some early success for Edgemead by Muhammad and Luke Stinton restricted Stellenberg to 47/3, Wilhelm Smet stole the show with a dominant display.

His century, which featured 15 boundaries, two of them maximums, came from only 87 deliveries, and helped Stellies to victory in the 34th over.

Hoërskool Durbanville’s Tobias Roelofse led their attack against Fairmont, claiming four wickets, while adding a catch, too, to help Durbies dismiss Fairmont for 175.

Kyle Maclean was the shining light in the Fairmont lineup, racing to 65 runs off only 47 deliveries before Hugo Bredell sent his stumps flying.

André Neethling (38) led the reply for the Durbanville boys initially, as the top-order mustered 88/3, but Caleb le Roux (4/27) and Byron Garton (2/25) tore big holes in the rest of their batting lineup.

With only one wicket standing, Xander van Aarde produced a stunning 43*, with six boundaries, to see propel his side to victory, thus setting up a highly anticipated third showdown of the season against Stellenberg.

Summarized Scorecards

Fairmont 175/10 (Kyle Maclean 65, Extras 22, Byron Garton 20; Tobias Roelofse 4/22, Hugo Bredell 2/17); Hoërskool Durbanville 179/9 (Xander van Aarde 43*, André Neethling 38, Jan Kriel 26, Extras 24; Caleb le Roux 4/27, Byron Garton 2/25). Hoërskool Durbanville won by one wicket. 

Edgemead 200/10 (Daniel Haschick 89, Abdullah Muhammad 31, Wasseem Fredricks 29; Gerrad Kamalie 4/29, Michael Amoedo 2/16); Stellenberg 201/5 (Wilhelm Smet 102*, Extras 26, Arno Koen 25; Luke Stinton 2/27, Abdullah Muhammad 2/38). Stellenberg won by five wickets.

Hoërskool Bellville 64/10 (Owen Kretschmer 21; D’Neill du Toit 4/16, Keanu Swanepoel 3/5, Benjamin Grobler 2/4); DF Malan 17/10 (Chris Roets 3/7, AD van der Westhuizen 3/8). Hoërskool Bellville won by 47 runs.

Hoërskool Tygerberg 315/10 (Mondré Julies 124, Isaiah Swartz 59, Extras 45, Lee-Charn Koopman 29; Jonah Alexander 3/50, Sesona Numpanga 2/67, Kylo le Roux 3/68); De Kuilen 77/10 (Mondré Julies 6/21, Vaughn Arendse 2/6). Hoërskool Tygerberg won by 238 runs.

Lightning lit up the Johannesburg sky and there were electric performances in the water on the third day of the Reef Cup Water Polo Invitational Tournament hosted by St Stithians College. It was against this backdrop that St Alban’s College and Kearsney College sealed their spots in the final, to be played on Sunday, 3 March.

The showstopper will be contested in the Main Polo Pool at St Stithians at 12:10 in the afternoon, when the two teams make a splash for the final time.

The lightning forced a few stoppages, but it was not enough to disrupt the march of St Alban’s to the final. Despite lagging behind St David’s Marist Inanda, Kearsney, Michaelhouse, and Affies on total goals scored in the tournament, the Pretoria team did enough to win comfortably and sail through without any complications.

They hit the back of the net 73 times and conceded 20 goals on their way to the top of Pool B with a record of four wins from four matches. That performance in the group stages earned them direct qualification into the quarterfinals, where they locked horns with Woodridge, whom they defeated 11 – 8.

Their semifinal tie was against a familiar foe. Last year, St Alban’s encountered Michaelhouse in the third and fourth-place playoff. The Pretoria school had found themselves in that position after capitulating to the eventual winners St Andrew’s College in the semifinals. In 2023, Michaelhouse proved too strong as they handed Coach Nardus Badenhorst’s charges a 12–3 spanking.

On Saturday, St Alban’s saw to it that they did not let recent history dictate terms. They, instead, wrote a new chapter. The Pretoria team was out for retribution, and they got it in spades, fighting their way to a pulsating 9-6 win over the KZN outfit.

A couple of hours after St Alban’s, Kearsney booked their ticket to the final.

Coach Nicholas Rodda’s team knew that they had to be at their best against St David’s. The 2023 runners-up came into the tournament with the express intention of going one better than last time, where they lost to St Andrew’s in a hard-fought contest.

In terms of experience, the match-up favoured St David’s. About half of the Johannesburg team took part in the 2023 Reef Cup, and they boasted plenty of inter-provincial experience, too.

In contrast, the KZN team was relatively young and inexperienced. But they had their own stars in Luca Sandri and James Pohl. However, Kearsney needed more than individual brilliance from their stars. They needed to work as a team. And that they did, just as they had done when they topped Pool B, which featured one of the tournament’s favourites, Affies.

Teamwork is also what saw them through the quarterfinals, where they dismembered Reddam Helderfontein 19–5. In the semifinals, Kearsney coalesced and took the fight to St David’s to prevail 7–5.

When St David’s and Michaelhouse duke it out in the third and fourth-place playoff, it promises to be an entertaining contest. They’re numbers two and three on the top goal scorers’ list, with the Sandton side ahead by eight goals. Kearsney has been the most prolific team in finding the back of the net so far in the tournament.

RESULTS

Grey College 7-8 Reddam Helderfontein
DHS 9-10 St Benedict’s
Affies 18-10 Glenwood
Woodridge 10-9 St Peter’s
Beaulieu 4-16 Steyn City
Reddam Bedfordview 5-6 Falcon
Rand Park 6–2 Parktown
Crawford Lonehill 5-12 Reddam Umhlanga
Michaelhouse 12–10 Affies
Woodridge 8–11 St Alban’s
Reddam Helderfontein 5–19 Kearsney
St David’s 17–2 St Benedict’s
Beaulieu 14–9 Rand Park
Reddam Bedfordview 9-5 Crawford
Glenwood 6–11 Grey College
St Peter’s 9–12 DHS
Parktown 6-3 Steyn City
St Alban’s 9-6 Michaelhouse
Falcon 8–5 Reddam Umhlanga
St David’s 5-7 Kearsney
Woodridge 4-5 Affies
St Benedict’s 7-5 Reddam Helderfontein.

Sunday

07:00 – (B#63) Rand Park vs Crawford; 07:00 – (B#64) Beaulieu vs Reddam Bedfordview; 07:00 – (B#65) Steyn City vs Reddam Umhlanga; 08:40 – (B#66) Parktown vs Falcon; 08:40 – (B#67) Glenwood vs St Peter’s; 08:40 – (B#68) Grey College vs DHS; 10:20 – (B#69) Loser 62 vs Loser 61; 10:20 – (B#70) Winner 62 vs Winner 61; 10:20 – (B#71) St David’s vs Michaelhouse; 12:10 – (B#72) St Alban’s vs Kearsney.

St John’s College’s pursuit of a third straight Standard Bank King Edward VII Water Polo Tournament title will continue when they square up against South African College High School (SACS) in one of the semi-finals at the Mark Stevens Aquatic Centre on Sunday.

The other semi-final will be a Western Cape affair between Rondebosch Boys’ High and Bishops Diocesan College.

Al four teams have impressed since the tournament started on Friday morning, with the quartet all going two-for-two on the opening day.

The defending champions were drawn in Pool D and dominated against Paul Roos, St Andrew’s College, and Northwood.

They were, however, made to work hard for a 12-11 win over their local rivals, St Stithians College, in the quarterfinals.

Ross Rovelli starred in that encounter, putting six goals past Liam Tebbut, while SA Schools’ defender Greg Pryce was also among the goal scorers, contributing a brace for his side.

SACS, on the other hand, dismantled the hosts, KES, 16-9 in their quarterfinal clash. Nicholas Fall, also selected for SA Schools in 2023, and Connor Melling-Williams were assured in front of goal, with both netting hattricks.

Devon Card’s charges will face a stern test when they go up against St John’s at 08:50 on Sunday.

Meanwhile, another side that has blown away teams at the KES Water Polo Tournament, Rondebosch Boys’ High, will be eager to take down Bishops in the first semi-final. Earlier in the week, in the semi-finals of the SACS Nite Series, Bishops, the eventual champions, sneaked by Rondebosch after a penalty shootout.

Coach Jared Wingate-Pearse’s troops also ended the pool stage with a 100 percent win record after thumping Grey High 15-6 in their final pool match.

Luke Cartwright, Jack Robinson, and Harry Soboil all got onto the scoresheet as the side from Gqeberha struggled to keep up with their tempo.

To book their spot in the last four, Rondebosch was forced to grind out a 12-10 win over Hilton College.

After that win, they’re set for another clash with the in-form Bishops at 08:00.

In one of the upsets of the day, the hosts, King Edward VII, shocked Clifton College 9-4 to knock the Durban side out of the running for the title.

Selborne College suffered a 9-14 defeat to Hilton.

In Sunday’s Plate semi-finals, Clifton tackles Westville Boys’ High in a meeting of provincial rivals, while Selborne does battle against St Andrew’s College, with Eastern Cape bragging rights on the line.

Results: Day 2

King Edward VII 9-4 Clifton College
SACS 19-4 Jeppe
Westville Boys High 18-4 Pretoria Boys High
St John’s 14-8 St Andrew’s College
Rondebosch 15-6 Grey High
Hilton College 14-9 Selborne College
Bishops 12-11 St Stithians College
Paul Roos 10-6 Northwood
Clifton College 9-1 Jeppe Boys
Selborne College 9-3 Grey High
Westville Boys’ High 5-0 Northwood
St Andrew’s 8-2 Pretoria Boys High
Rondebosch Boys’ High 12-10 Hilton College
SACS 16-9 King Edward VII
Bishops 11-5 Paul Roos
St John’s College 12-11 St Stithians College
Northwood 5-4 Jeppe Boys High
Grey High 5-3 Pretoria Boys High
Hilton 6-5 Paul Roos
St Stithians College 8-5 King Edward VII

Day 3, Sunday, 3 March

07:00 – Clifton College vs Westville Boys High (37); 07:30 – Selborne College vs St Andrew’s College (38); 08:00 – Rondebosch Boys vs Bishops (39); 08:50 –  SACS vs St John’s College (40); 09:40 – Loser 33 vs Loser 34 (41); 10:10 – Winner 33 vs Winner 34 (42); 10:40 – Loser Plate semi-final vs Loser Plate semi-final 2 (43); 11:10 – Winner Plate semi-final 1 vs Winner Plate semi-final 2 (44); 11:40 – Loser 35 vs Loser 36 (45); 12:10 – Winner 35 vs Winner 36 (46); 12:40 – Loser Cup semi-final 1 vs Loser Cup semi-final 2 (47); 13:30 – FINAL (48).

Hoërskool Nelspruit het vir Hoërskool Secunda ‘n behoorlike rugbyles in hul kragmeting in Nelspruit geleer.

Die Nellies het oortuigend as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree met ‘n telling van 41-5. Met dié kliniese vertoning het die tuisspan ‘n duidelike waarskuwing aan toekomstige teenstanders gerig.

Divan de Kock, die Nellies se binnesenter, was uitstekend met die stewel, en het al vyf die Nelspruiters se drieë met gemak verdoel. Hy het ook twee strafdoele, om sy span se rekening mee oop te maak, deur die mikke gejaag.

Die grondslag vir die Nellies se sukses was egter deur die groot manne voorlangs gelê. Regard Vermaak (haker) en Vaughn van Zyl (agtsteman) het albei vroeg reeds agter Secunda se doellyn gaan kuier.

Liam Pringle was ook op sy stukke in die Nr. 9-trui en het die Secunda-verdedigers voortdurend aan die raai gehou, totdat hy uiteindelik deurgebreek het om vyf punte vir sy span by te dra. Daarna het die linkervleuel, Jordan Pretorius, en Ian Wood (buitesenter) verdere sout in die besoekers se wonde gesmeer met ‘n drie elk.

Vir Secunda het niemand beter vertoon as hul oopkantflank, Zandre van der Merwe, nie. Van der Merwe het sy lyf op die spel gesit, en was veral doeltreffend op die verdediging. Hy het ook beïndruk in die vaste los en is met Secunda se enigste drie beloon.

Hoërskool Marais Viljoen het, soos verwag, redelik maklik met Hoërskool Die Anker van Brakpan afgereken. Die span van Alberton was vroeg aan die stuur van sake, met die telling reeds 28-7 toe die fluitjie vir rustyd blaas.

Die Marais Viljoen-pak het behoorlik gewoel en Die Anker onder meedoënlose druk geplaas. Hul steelkantflank, Dian Scheepers, was die groot uitblinker en is welverdiend met ‘n tweekuns drieë beloon. Rynier Welgemoed (slot) en loskopstut, Clayton Gagiano, het ook goed vertoon en elkeen deurgebars om vyf punte vir hul span aan te teken.

Die kaptein en losskakel, Rekkie Gerber, was die spreekwoordelike skerpskutter van die kegel af, het al vier sy span se drieë verdoel en ook ‘n skepskop deur die pale gejaag.

Die Anker het egter nooit gaan lê nie. Om die waarheid te sê, die span van Brakpan het na ‘n totaal ander span na rustyd gelyk. Ruben Herbst, Die Anker se agtsteman, het die terugvegpoging gelei. Hy was oudergewoonte uiters fisiek en het op die verdediging sy lyf behoorlik op die spel geplaas.

Ruan Smith (buitesenter) en die skrumskakel, Danie Smit, het ook hard probeer om hul span terug in die wedstryd te kry. Smith het ‘n uitstekende agterlynbeweging afgerond om die doellyn oor te steek, terwyl Smit ook met vyf punte beloon is vir sy besielende vertoning.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Nelspruit: 41 – Drieë: Liam Pringle, Jordan Pretorius, Regard Vermaak, Vaughn van Zyl, Ian Wood. Doelskoppe: Divan de Kock (5). Strafdoele: De Kock (2)

Hoërskool: Secunda 5 – Drie: Zander van der Merwe.

Hoërskool Marais Viljoen: 36 (28) – Drieë: Dian Scheepers (2), Rynier Welgemoed, Clayton Gagiano, Brandon Els. Doelskoppe: Rekkie Gerber (4). Skepskop: Gerber.

Hoërskool Die Anker: 21 (7) – Drieë: Ruben Herbst, Ruan Smith, Danie Smit. Doelskoppe: Brandon Crous.