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Upsets abounded in the Jody Momple Cup, with neither of last year’s finalists making it beyond the quarterfinals. Instead, it was Michaelhouse and Ixopo High who contested the gold medal game on Sunday at Hilton College.

In a back-and-forth tussle, a sudden death shootout was needed to settle it, with ‘House winning 6-5 from the spot after regulation time had finished at 1-1.

Maritzburg College, who beat Carter High 3-2 in the 2023 final, were ousted 1-0 by Edendale Technical College in the last eight, while Carter went down 1-2 to Ixopo in their quarterfinal clash, which sent two of the title favourites crashing out.

Michaelhouse, meanwhile, accounted for Carter B, who had done themselves proud as late replacements for Maritzburg Christian School, winning 3-0, and Hilton College charged into the semi-finals, netting three goals in double-quick time after the first whistle had sounded, on their way to a convincing 5-2 win over Alexandra High School.

While Maritzburg College and Carter were done, a mouthwatering semi-final between the arch-rivals, Hilton and Michaelhouse, awaited, and the Ixopo versus Edendale clash brought the teams that had ousted the favourites together.

With hearty support from their schoolmates, the Hilton team got off to a flyer in their semi-final, winning an early penalty to take the lead against Michaelhouse.

‘House has shown throughout the season, though, they’re a resilient bunch and they battled their way back into the contest before eventually winning it 2-1.

Meanwhile, neither Ixopo nor Edendale could find a way through their opponent’s defences, with chances being few and far between. Ixopo, though, moved on with a 3-1 win from the penalty spot.

In the title-decider, both sides did a good job of isolating players in the midfield, which made swift progress up the field difficult. Ixopo, though, snatched the lead right before half-time from a corner, with their captain, Saki, nodding in from close range.

A strong wind had blown throughout most of the day, and in the second half it favoured Michaelhouse, which made clearing the ball from the back and deep into the Ixopo half easier.

Early in the second half, the Balgowan boys found a reply, just managing to bundle the ball over the line from a corner after a goalmouth scramble. It was close, but it was an excellent decision by the linesman. Under heavy pressure, he called it correctly.

In the latter stages of the contest, Ixopo pushed hard for a winner, opening up Michaelhouse on a number of occasions, but they couldn’t find the finish they so desperately wanted.

That sent the match to the penalty spot, and both sets of penalty-takers responded superbly, executing their kicks with confidence. There were only a couple of close calls, one from each side.

However, when it went to sudden death, Michaelhouse scored and Ixopo finally blinked, with their shot going wide of the mark to leave Michaelhouse the winners of the Jody Momple Cup for a first time.

Later, at the awards ceremony, Jason Brufau, of Michaelhouse, was named the Player of the Match.

Michaelhouse captain Angelo Nkosi told SuperSport Schools Plus afterwards: “As a school, we always want to win. We always want to go all the way. We knew it was going to be tough. In the past tournaments, it has been tough, and we have always come up short.

“Our matrics are in the middle of trial exams, so we knew that if we’re going to come here, we are going to have to commit every single part of ourselves to this event. I’m so happy.”

Nkosi said he hoped winning the prestigious title would give a boost to football at Michaelhouse: “Hopefully, it means there will be a greater focus on the football programme, more excitement about it. I hope this gives guys a reason to invest in the sport, to support the guys who play, and to grow the culture.”

Then, he turned to his teammates, saying: “These guys are amazing. A lot of them put up their hands. A lot of them said that this is the year we are going to make it count. We are going to have a successful season. I love each and every single person here, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team.”

Arguably, no team was happier at the conclusion of the event than Etham College. They dominated Heritage Academy in the Bowl final, winning 4-0, and they celebrated that achievement mightily.

The Plate title went the way of Haythorne Secondary School, who held off ML Sultan Secondary to claim a 2-1 win.

The Bryce Moon Trophy, for the event’s top goal scorer, went to Hilton College’s Tino Hove, who struck seven times for his side, just one goal shy of equalling the tournament’s record.

RESULTS

Bowl Quarterfinals

Riverwood 7-0 St Nicholas
Weston 0-1 Heritage Academy
Greytown 1-5 Etham
Wartburg 4-1 Treverton

Plate Quarterfinals

Howick 4-1 Grace College
ML Sultan 3-1 St Charles
Newton 0-2 Haythorne
Linpark 1-0 Umvuzo

Cup Quarterfinals

Hilton College 5-2 Alexandra
Michaelhouse 3-0 Carter B
Carter 1-2 Ixopo
Edendale Technical 1-0 Maritzburg College

Bowl Semi-finals

Riverwood 3-4 Heritage
Etham 1-0 Wartburg

Plate Semi-finals

Howick (5) 1-1 (6) ML Sultan
Haythorne (8) 2-2 (7) Linpark

Cup Semi-finals

Hilton College 1-2 Michaelhouse
Ixopo (3) 0-0 (1) Edendale

Bowl final

Etham College 4-0 Heritage Academy

Plate Final

ML Sultan 1 – 2 Haythorne

Cup Final

Michaelhouse (6) 1-1 (5) Ixopo

Umbilo Kings and Cwebezela Primary School lifted the boys’ and girls’ Jr. NBA/WNBA Tournament titles at Umlazi’s Victoria Mxenge Sports Centre on Sunday.

From day one of the tournament, Cwebezela stood out and they quickly established themselves as a fan favourite. They were clearly the class of the field and dominated their opposition.

Following a resounding victory over Durban Girls’ College (DGC) in their first match in Pool B,  Cwebezela rolled to a 31-4 win over Sukuma Primary School, exhibiting robust offensive and defensive strategies, exceptional ball-handling skills, and solid shooting accuracy, which posed significant challenges for their opposition.

Performing as a well-rounded unit, they asked questions their opponents couldn’t answer.

Umbilo Kings were on song from their first outing in the boys’ division, triumphing over some stout opposition, which included a stunning 23-2 victory over Molweni. They added a hard-fought victoryover Shakahead Basketball Development, winning a tight contest 12-7.

The semi-finals and finals of the boys’ and girls’ divisions were exhilarating. In the girls’ final four clashes, Cwebezela Primary School handed Shakahead a 10-6 defeat, while Liv Village held off Sekelani, claiming an 8-4 victory.

In the boys’ division, Umbilo Kings defeated Kearsney College 18-3, while Home Turf Hoops, who had won a number of matches by narrow margins, squeaked past The Clan, winning 19-18.

Then, in the girls’ gold medal match, Cwebezela downed Liv Village 22-10, while Umbilo were pushed all the way by Home Turf Hoops before claiming an 18-15 win and the title.

The Most Valuable Players Awards went to the leading performers on the tournament champion teams. Cwebezela’s Anele Thusi was named the girls’ MVP, while Lancey Kawomba, of Umbilo Kings, was the boys’ MVP.

Dit is ongetwyfeld ‘n dag waarvan Hanré Venter en sy Wesvalia-spanmaats hul kleinkinders eendag sal vertel.

Herleef al die Noordvaal Skild-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Die Hoërskool Wesvalia het die Noordvaal se rekordboeke Saterdagmiddag in Klerksdorp herskryf.

Die Wessies het vir oulaas uitmuntende verdediging tentoongestel om vir Hoërskool Lichtenburg in die eindstryd van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling met 23-21 te troef en hul Noordvaal-seisoen onoorwonne af te sluit.

Daarmee het hulle ook hul eerste Noordvaal-titel verower.

Wesvalia se agsteman en kaptein, Hanré Venter, was soos regdeur die seisoen aan die spits van sy span se sukses. Hy het gereeld waardevolle meters met sy sterk lopies gemaak, terwyl sy vermoë om die bal in kontak af te laai ook heelwat hoofbrekens vir die besoekers van Lichtenburg besorg het.

Die ander uitblinker van die 2024, heelagter, Rickardt van Heerden, was ook weer op sy stukke, met dié oorwinning wat grotendeels aan sy skopskoen toegeskryf kon word. Van Heerden het met drie strafdoele en twee doelskoppe geslaag.

Vir die besoekers was dit ‘n bittersoet einde aan ‘n merkwaardige seisoen. Die span van Lichtenburg het hul seisoen op tuisbodem onoorwonne afgesluit en was ongetwyfeld ‘n waardige teenstander in die eindstryd.

Agsteman, Abrie Coetzee, het sy laaste Liggie-stryd op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit en op sowel die aanval as verdediging ‘n barshou gespeel. Haker, Juan van Rhyn, was, nes Coetzee, oral op die veld te sien en die twee Liggie-staatmakers is elkeen met ‘n drie beloon.

Die Wessies is ook as kampioen van die o.14-liga gekroon. ‘n Tweekuns deur Francois Cilliers en akkurate korrelwerk na die pale deur Zachery Janse van Rensburg het gesorg dat die span van Klerksdorp met 17-12 oor Hoërskool Ben Vorster kon seëvier.

In die o.15-eindstryd was dit egter die beurt van die Tzaneeners om koning te kraai. Twee drieë deur Dejuan du Plessis en vyf uit vyf suksesvolle pogings pale toe deur Cohen Van Vuuren het vir die Tzaneeners in staat gestel om vir Wesvalia met 36-22 die loef af te steek.

Dit was ‘n spesiale dag vir Heidelberg Volkskool se o.16-span wat in ‘n taai stryd teen Hoërskool Pietersburg met 17-14 as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree het. Dit was die Volkies se derde Noordvaal-titel in soveel jaar, asook hul 28ste agtereenvolgende sege in die kompetisie.

Terselftertyd was dit ‘n spesiale dag vir die Munro-gesin. Tristan en Tyrone Munro, een van twee stelle tweelinge in die Munro-huis het gedeel in die o.16’s se glorie, terwyl hul ouer tweeling broers, Joshua en Daniel Munro, vroeër vanjaar van die Volkies se groot uitblinkers in die eerstespan was.

Puntemakers:

Wesvalia 23 (6) – Drieë: Junior Kuhn, Philip Janse van Rensburg. Doelskoppe: Rickardt van Heerden (2). Strafdoele: Van Heerden (3). Hoërskool Lichtenburg 21 (13) – Drieë: Juan van Rhyn, Abrie Coetzee. Doelskop: Luan Snyman. Strafdoele: Snyman (3).

Ander spanne: 

o.16

Heidelberg Volkskool 17 (17) – Drieë: Vaughn Steynvaart, Albie Botha. Doelskoppe: Tristan Munro (2). Strafdoel: Munro. Hoërskool Pietersburg 14 (14) – Drieë: Ziahn Lombaard, Ryno Mienie. Doelskop: Mienie.

o.15

Ben Vorster 36 (26) – Drieë: Dejuan du Plessis (2), Risuna Mngoni, Kian Lotter. Doelskoppe: Cohen van Vuuren (4). Strafdoel: Van Vuuren. Wesvalia 22 (8) – Drieë: Zander Lidell, Brand Muller, Jaco Combrinck. Doelskoppe: Michael Kinnear (2). Strafdoel: Kinnear.

o.14

Wesvalia 17 (14) – Drieë: Francois de Villiers (2). Doelskoppe: Zachery Janse van Rensburg (2). Strafdoel: Janse van Rensburg. Ben Vorster 12 (0) – Drieë: Luthando Gumbo, Nkteko Mngoni. Doelskop: Delarey van der Linde.

Die groot skare in Vanderbijlpark kon nie vir ‘n aanskouliker eindstryd gevra het nie.

Herleef al die Noordvaal Plaat-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Toe die eindfluitjie blaas was daar absoluut niks te kies tussen Hoërskool Transvalia en die Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg nie en het die finaal in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Plaat-afdeling tussen die Ligbloues en Rooi Bulle uiteindelik met 24-24 gelykop geëindig, met die spanne wat die titel deel.

Dit was egter so hittete of die Rooi Bulle het met die kroon na Middelburg teruggekeer. Dit was slegs danksy Valia se woelwater-haker, Jayden McPearson, se drie ná die sirene en skerpskutter, Dylan Steinman, se akkurate korrelwerk pale toe dat sake in die 70ste minuut gelyk getrek is.

McPearson het nie slegs sy span van ‘n nederlaag gered nie, maar was regdeur die kragmeting uitstaande. Heelagter, Siya Khambule, en binnesenter, Brandon-Lee Smit, het ook spesiale vertonings gelewer in hul laaste uitstappie in die ligbloutrui.

Die Rooi Bulle het ‘n taamlike hupstoot gekry op die vooraand van die wedstryd met ster-senter, Johnny dos Santos, wat die groenlig ontvang het om vir ‘n laaste keer in die middeveld uit te draf. Dos Santos was oudergewoonte dodelik op die aanval en sy tweestryd met Smit sal nog lank om ‘n paar braaivleisvure bespreek word.

Die Middelburgers se heelagter, Jaque Stassen, het self ‘n goeie dag met die stewel beleef en drie strafdoele en ‘n doelskop deur die pale laat seil.

In die o.16-eindstryd het Hoërskool Zwartkop se Regan Blignaut vir die Kempies se harte gebreek. Blignaut het, met tyd verstreke, gedruk om sake gelyk te laat trek, voordat losskakel Tilon Baron met die doelskop geslaag het om aan die Zwarries ‘n oorwinning van 27-25 oor Hoërskool Kempton Park te besorg.

Dit het ‘n behoorlike wiplankstryd afgegee en ‘n uitstekende voorskou gebied vir wat nog moes kom. Die Kempies se losskakel, Ben Steyn, het die toutjies uitstekend getrek agterlangs en ook met twee doelskoppe en twee strafdoele geslaag.

Niemand het beter vertoon in die o.15-eindstryd as Hoërskool Middelburg se Kgontse Masilela nie. Masilela het vyf strafdoele deur die pale gejaag om ál 15 die Middies se punte aan te teken en dit was genoeg om vir Transvalia met 15-10 te troef en as kampioen gekroon te word.

Valia se jonges het nietemin daarin geslaag om Hoërskool Oos-Moot punteloos te hou in die tweede helfte en die o.14-finaal met 15-8 te wen. Vaskopstut, Wian Bezuidenhout, en agsteman, JP Pieterse, het elk ‘n belangrike drie gedruk, terwyl losskakel, Bokang Mabina met ‘n doelskop en strafdoel geslaag het om die titel buite die bereik van die Oosies te hou.

Die skool van Vanderbijlpark het die Plaat-reeks op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit deur koning te kraai in die o.14 A-, o.15 B-, o.16 B- derdespan-, tweedespan- en eerstespanliga. Daarmee het Valia ses van die nege titels in die reeks ingepalm en skuif dus volgende jaar op na die Beker-afdeling in die plek van Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, wat afskuif Plaat toe.

Puntemakers: 

Transvalia 24 (10) – Drieë: Jayden McPearson, Anro Nagel, Brandon-Lee Smit. Doelskoppe: Dylan Steinman (3). Strafdoel: Steinman. HTS Middelburg 24 (9) 0 – Drieë: Dirk du Plooy, Luan Graaf. Doelskop: Jaque Stasen. Strafdoele: Stassen (3). Skepdoel: Gerry Gendall.

Ander spanne: 

o.16

Zwartkop 27 (13) – Drieë: Christiaan de Vries, Mikka Allers, Regan Blignaut. Doelskoppe: Tilon Baron (3). Strafdoele: Baron (2). Hoërskool Kempton Park 25 (6) – Drieë: Luca du Plooy, Arno Hubsch, Ruan Opperman. Doelskoppe: Ben Steyn (2). Strafdoele: Steyn (2).

o.15

Hoërskool Middelburg 15 (6) – Strafdoele: Kgontse Masilela. Transvalia 10 (5) – Drieë: Matthew van Deventer, Waldo McLean.

o.14

Transvalia 15 (8) – Drieë: Wian Bezuidenhoud, JP Pieterse. Doelskop: Bokang Mabina. Strafdoel: Mabina. Oos-Moot 8 (8) – Drie: Willie van Niekerk. Strafdoel: Jordan Liebenberg.

The Durban High School (DHS) u17 and u15 teams gave the home supporters plenty to cheer by capturing the High School Sevens Series, sponsored by Toyota, title at DHS on Saturday in Durban.

Van Heerden Field is a formidable fortress – this past season, the DHS 1st XV, 2nd XV, 3rd XV, u16A, u14A and u14B teams were unbeaten on Van Heerden’s – and the Horseflies rode their home ground advantage to the titles and places in Champions of Champions Tournament at Grey College, in Bloemfontein, on 20 and 21 September.

Spare a thought for the Westville Boys’ High u17 side, which suffered its first loss of the season in the final against DHS. It was very much a showdown between 1A and 1B, but on this occasion it was DHS who claimed the crown by a 26-12 margin. Two weeks earlier, Westville had beaten School in the final of the Glenwood Sevens.

Unfortunately for the Griffin, the script was the same as 2023, with DHS reversing the result of the Glenwood Sevens on their home ground to secure a spot at the Champion of Champions.

DHS won the title because of their ability to raise their intensity for their crucial playoff fixtures. A smothering defence forced mistakes out of their opposition, and the Horseflies were ruthlessly efficient at turning those into points.

Westville, who had won three tournaments in succession, were a little bruised and battered, but they were boosted by the return of SA Schools’ star Zekhethelo Siyaya, who showed his class with his decisive decision-making and sharp finishing. Unfortunately, he picked up a bit of a knock, which led to him coming off the bench in the final.

Glenwood showed they still possess strong talent in their ranks, but DHS defused the Green Machine‘s rugged challenge in the Cup semi-finals. The Glenwood side was at its best in an impressive 38-7 dismantling of a solid St Charles team in pool play.

Northwood was workmanlike in making it to the final four. They produced typically abrasive performances, mixed in with some good sevens skills, to book their final four spot. There, though, their adventure came to an end against Westville.

Kearsney caught the eye because of the rapid strides they have made since they were first in action at the Saints Sevens.

In that event, they were quite static when on the attack and they played too laterally. At DHS, their tempo was far higher and their approach more direct, and they were a far tougher out for their opposition.

DHS beat them 26-14 and Glenwood won 12-5, but the Botha’s Hill boys did their school great credit, winning the rest of their games, including a 12-5 victory over Hilton College in a crucial pool game.

Meanwhile, Hoërskool Pionier, from Vryheid, were boosted by their superb travelling support.

They upset DHS 2 in their best performance and made it to the final of the Plate.

When the Sharks Tier 2 A team had a player dismissed while it was 0-0 in the title-decider, Pionier looked odds-on favourites to bag the silverware, but the Sharks’ side, with impressive character, rallied to triumph 12-7.

Michaelhouse played some good rugby, but had their challenge undermined by a narrow 15-17 loss to Maritzburg College.

When the teams met again, later in the tournament, ‘House ran out convincing 34-14 winners.

u15 Competition

The u15 competition produced two new finalists after Northwood and Glenwood met in the Glenwood Sevens title-decider. This time around, it was DHS against Westville for the Cup.

The saying goes, “speed kills”, and it certainly did in Westville’s chances in the u15 final, with Hadley Alexander burning the Griffin for three tries with his searing pace in the first half.

Thanks to that trio of scores, DHS led 21-12 at the break and went on to claim the title 31-17.

As predicted, Pool B, featuring Maritzburg College, Michaelhouse and DHS, was the most interesting. Each team won one and lost one and it came down to points’ difference as to which sides would advance to the Cup quarterfinals, with College and DHS edging out ‘House.

DHS roared to a one-sided win over Ferrum in the last eight, while College ousted Glenwood Sevens champs, Northwood, 12-7. Glenwood took down Kearsney to book a semi-final spot, while Westville sparkled in a 43-15 win over St Charles.

That set up a rematch between College and DHS, with the Red, Black and White having beaten the Horseflies 22-15 earlier in the day. This time, though, DHS triumphed 19-14. Westville, meanwhile, scraped past Glenwood, winning 12-10.

Ferrum handled Esikhawini in the Shield final to ensure they returned to Newcastle with silverware, while Michaelhouse, the unlucky losers from the powerful Pool B, crushed Northwood B to lift the Bowl.

In the Plate final, Kearsney handed Northwood a 19-12 loss. College, then, edged out Glenwood 20-19 for third place.

U17 RESULTS

Pool A

Northwood 17-7 DHS 2
Westville 59-0 Pinetown Boys
Northwood 31-0 Pinetown Boys
Westville 28-12 DHS 2
Westville 31-0 Northwood
DHS 2 31-5 Pinetown Boys

Pool B

DHS 40-0 Sharks Tier 2 B
Kearsney 12-5 Hilton
DHS 24-12 Hilton
Kearsney 27-7 Sharks Tier 2 B
Hilton 36-14 Sharks Tier 2 B
DHS 26-14 Kearsney

Pool C

Glenwood 45-0 Sharks Tier 2
St Charles 50-0 Vryheid Landbou
Glenwood 45-7 Vryheid Landbou
St Charles 31-7 Sharks Tier 2 A
Glenwood 38-7 St Charles
Vryheid Landbou 19-21 Sharks Tier 2 A

Pool D

Michaelhouse 29-0 Pionier
Maritzburg College 31-12 Northwood 2
Michaelhouse 41-7 Northwood 2
Maritzburg College 22-12 Pionier
Michaelhouse 15-17 Maritzburg College
Northwood 2 24-10 Pionier

Playoffs

DHS 2 (3rd Pool A) 7-12 Pionier (4th Pool D)
Pinetown Boys (4th Pool A) 7-29 Northwood 2 (3rd Pool D)
Hilton (3rd Pool B) 26-21 Vryheid Landbou (4th Pool C)
Sharks Tier 2 B (4th Pool B) 21-33 Sharks Tier 2 A (3rd Pool C)

Cup quarterfinals

Westville 21-12 Michaelhouse
Northwood 14-5 Maritzburg College
DHS 36-19 St Charles
Kearsney 5-12 Glenwood

DHS 2 35-10 Pinetown Boys (Playoff)
Vryheid Landbou 26-14 Sharks Tier 2 B (Playoff)
Michaelhouse 34-14 Maritzburg College (Playoff)
St Charles 12-22 Kearsney (Playoff)

Plate semi-finals

Pionier 19-10 Northwood 2
Hilton 14-26 Sharks Tier 2 A

Cup semi-finals

Westville 12-7 Northwood
DHS 21-5 Glenwood

Plate final

Pionier 7-12 Sharks Tier 2 A

Cup final

Westville 12-21 DHS

U15 RESULTS

Pool A

Esikhawini 7-17 Pionier
Northwood 43-0 Pionier
Northwood 24-0 Esikhawini

Pool B

Maritzburg College 17-21 Michaelhouse
DHS 40-12 Michaelhouse
DHS 15-22 Maritzburg College

Pool C

St Charles 33-14 Northwood
Glenwood 45-0 Northwood 2
Glenwood 19-10 St Charles

Pool D

Ferrum 0-40 Kearsney
Westville 21-0 Kearsney
Westville 43-0 Ferrum

Cup quarterfinals

Northwood 7-12 Maritzburg College
DHS 56-0 Pionier
Glenwood 26-12 Kearsney
Westville 43-15 St Charles

Bowl semi-finals

Esikhawini 0-46 Michaelhouse
Northwood 2 7-5 Ferrum

Plate semi-finals

Northwood 43-0 Pionier
Kearsney 28-14 St Charles

Cup semi-finals

Maritzburg College 14-19 DHS
Glenwood 10-12 Westville

Shield final

Esikhawini 7-26 Ferrum

Bowl final

Michaelhouse 51-0 Northwood 2

7th/8th playoff

Pionier 0-49 St Charles

Plate final

Northwood 12-19 Kearsney

3rd/4th

Maritzburg College 20-19 Glenwood

Cup final

DHS 31-17 Westville

Die naam Elrich Bosch sal vir nog ‘n wyle deur die strate van Potchefstroom weergalm.

Herleef al die Noordvaal Bowl-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com)

Dit was danksy Bosch se drie, met speeltyd reeds verstreke, dat Potchefstroom Gimnasium sy eerste Noordvaal-titel sedert 2004 kon verower. Die Gimmies het vir Hoërskool Eldoraigne in ‘n naelbyt-eindstryd met 18-17 uitge-Bowl.

Daar was niks te kies tussen die twee spanne met die omdraaislag nie. Die eerste helfte het slegs ‘n strafdoel elk opgelewer en dit was eers in die tweede helfte dat albei spanne deurkomkans kon vind.

Die Gimmies se ster, David Ndala, het eerste deurgebreek en ook twee strafdoele en die laaste, uiters belangrike doelskop deur die pale gejaag. Dit het sy persoonlike bydrae in eindstryd op 13 punte te staan gebring. Bosch se sentermaat, Lourens Jacobs, was ook ‘n gereelde doring in die Drake se vlees.

Indien enigiemand vir Deon Anderson en die res van Eldoraigne se afrigtingspan in Junie gesê het dat hulle die topspan in die afdeling, in die eindstryd van die Bowl-afdeling, ál die pad sou druk, sou hulle dit beswaarlik kon glo. Die Eldo’s het ‘n uitstaande vertoning op verdediging gelewer.

Die klipharde vaskopstut, Jaco Fourie, het sy puik seisoen met een laaste groot vertoning afgesluit, deur te woel in die vastelos en een van die Drake se twee drieë te druk.

Die Eldo’s se veelsydige JP Meyer moes kort voor die aanvang van die wedstryd van heelagter na losskakel skuif, maar het uitstekend aangepas om ‘n goeie vertoning op die aanval te lewer en sy stewel, wat die Eldo’s heel jaar gedra het, was weer ‘n faktor. Hy was in die kol met twee doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel, en het ‘n uiters effektiewe vennootskap met skrumskakel, Darren Bruwer, gevorm.

In die o.16-eindstryd het Hoërskool Randburg ‘n uitmuntende terugvegpoging geloods om vir Hoërskool Wagpos met 27-26 te troef. Die vleuels, Ewan van der Walt en Jayden Oosthuizen, wat elk ‘n tweekuns behaal het, het ‘n agterstand van 14 punte in die tweede helfte uitgewis en dit was verál Van der Walt wat met sy vaart en krag beïndruk het.

Wagpos se skrumskakel, Josef van der Berg, was die span van Brits se grootste uitblinker en het self twee keer agter die Randburgers se doellyn gaan kuier.

Merensky Landbou Akademie se voorspelers het al 11 sy punte in die tweede helfte aangeteken om vir Hoërskool Piet Retief met 11-7 te verslaan. Slot, Milan le Roux, het oorgeduik vir sy span se enigste vyfpunter terwyl agsteman, Andrich Venter, en loskopstut, Bradley Mdewa, het elk ‘n strafdoel deur die pale gejaag het om vir afrigter, Francois Bothma, ‘n spesiale verjaarsdaggeskenk te gee.

Regtervleuel, Lubanzi Mhlongo, het twee keer oorgeduik om te verseker dat die o.14-titel saam met Hoërskool Piet Retief na Mpumalanga terugkeer. Die Pieties het hul staal gewys om vir Eldoraigne se jongmanne met 22-17 te klop.

Puntemakers: 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 18 (3) – Drieë: David Ndala, Elrich Bosh. Doelskop: Ndala. Strafdoele: Ndala (2). Eldoraigne 17 (3) – Drieë: Jaco Fourie, Ivan Vermeulen. Doelskoppe: JP Meyer (2). Strafdoel: Meyer.

Ander spanne: 

o.16

Hoërskool Randburg 27 (12) – Drieë: Ewan van der Walt (2), Jayden Oosthuizen (2). Doelskoppe: Josef van der Berg (2). Strafdoel: Van der Berg. Wagpos 26 (26) – Drieë: Myburgh Henning (2), Roelof van Wyk, Pieter Steenkamp. Doelskoppe: Gerhard Cronje (3).

o.15

Merensky 11 (0) – Drie: Milan le Roux. Strafdoele: Andrich Venter, Bradley Mdewa. Hoërskool Piet Retief 7 (0) – Drie: Carl-Hein Creydt. Doelskop: Creydt.

o.14

Hoërskool Piet Retief 22 (10) – Drieë: Lubanzi Mhlongo (2), Sithuli Zulu. Doelskoppe: Ferdi Brecher (2). Strafdoel: Brecher. Eldoraigne 17 (17) – Drieë: Jayden Calitz, Brendon Möller. Doelskoppe: Franco Vermeulen (2). Strafdoel: Dicci Stapelberg.

The Victoria Mxenge Indoor Sports Centre, in Umlazi, just outside of Durban, on Saturday welcomed 24 teams for two days of all-out basketball action in the Jr. NBA/WNBA Tournament.

Boys’ and girls’ KZN schools and clubs, featuring teams from Durban and Pietermaritzburg, took to the court in a battle for the titles.

Day one featured over 150 players in action in 31 matches, with the sides intent on racking up the right results to qualify for the big playoff places on Sunday.

Girls Competition: Girls

One of the most notable performances in the girls’ competition came from Cwebezela Primary School, in Pool B, with resounding victories over both the Durban Girls’ College (DGC) B team and Sukuma Primary School. They blanked DGC in their opener, winning 14-0. Then, in a more open contest, they decisively down Sukuma 31-4.

It was a tough day for DGC, whose A and B teams came out on the wrong end of a number of games. After losing to Cwebezela, DGC B suffered a number of setbacks, including a big 2-34 defeat to Liv Village, which was followed by a 0-31 loss to Molweni.

DGC A gave a good account of themselves in a narrow 6-12 defeat against The Clan and were competitive against the formidable Shakahead Basketball Development team, but still went down 4-17.  In the third match, they were overrun by Sekelani Primary School, who powered their way to a 26-0 win, to eliminate DGC A from the competition.

In Pool A of the girls’ competition, Shakahead Basketball Development showcased their skills. After beating DGC A, they held off Imisebe 18-14 in a tight contested game. Sekelani Primary School challenged Shakahead significantly, but the development side sneaked a hard-fought 14-13 victory. They completed their pool assignments on a winning note by recording a 15-4 win over The Clan.

Boys’ Competition

In Pool A of the boys’ competition, Home Turf emerged as a dominant force and a fan-favourite after defeating Sukuma Primary School 31-4 in their opener. Liv Village proved to be no match for Home Turf, either, as Home Turf rolled to a 28-3 victory. Cwebezela Primary School provided more a challenge, but Home Turf, once again, registered a convincing win, triumphing 29-12.

Cwebezela, after going down to Home Turf, recorded back-to-back wins, defeating Sukuma Primary School 25-8. and Sekelani Primary School 18-5.

In Pool B, Kearsney College overwhelmed Molweni, scoring a decisive 37-3 victory. They further asserted their dominance by blasting Shakahead Basketball Development 41-2.

Emthethweni Primary School, on the other hand, achieved the biggest win of the day in the boys’ competition, defeating The Clan 44-3.

Game Day 1 Full Results

Boys

Home Turf Hoops 31-4 Sukuma Primary School
Wentworth Raptors 4-14 The Clan
Sekelani Primary School 5-18 Cwebezela Primary School
Sukuma Primary School 14-12 LIV Village
Molweni 3-37 Kearsney College
Shakahead Basketball Development 7-12 Umbilo Kings
Home Turf Hoops 28-3 LIV Village
Molweni 6-8 Shakahead Basketball Development
Emthethweni Primary School 44-3 The Clan
Wentworth Raptors 26-22 Imisebe
Imisebe 13-33 The Clan
Sekelani Primary School 20-16 LIV Village
Home Turf Hoops 29-12 Cwebezela Primary School
Sukuma Primary School 8-25 Cwebezela Primary School
Kearsney College 41-2 Shakahead Basketball Development
Molweni 2-23 Umbilo Kings

Girls

Durban Girls’ College B 0-14 Cwebezela Primary School
Imisebe 20-0 Emthethweni Primary School
Shakahead Basketball Development 17-4 Durban Girls’ College A
Cwebezela Primary School 31-4 Sukuma Primary School
Sekelani Primary School 20-2 Imisebe
Durban Girls’ College A 0-26 Sekelani Primary School
Durban Girls’ College A 6-12 The Clan
Shakahead Basketball Development 18-14 Imisebe
The Clan 10-20 Sekelani Primary School
Durban Girls’ College B 2-34 LIV Village
Sekelani Primary School 13-14 Shakahead Basketball Development
Molweni 31-0 Durban Girls’ College B
Sukuma Primary School 2-23 LIV Village
Molweni 8-14 LIV Village
Shakahead Basketball Development 15-4 The Clan

PRETORIA – Hoërskool Garsfontein se Bere is ongetwyfeld ‘n span vir die groot oomblik.

Herleef al die Noordvaal Beker-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Nadat hulle hul rieme in ses van hul eerste sewe wedstryde styfgeloop het, het die Bere ‘n totale gedaanteverwisseling in die tweede helfte van die seisoen beleef en dit met ‘n kersie op die koek in die “Kloof” afgesluit.

Die Garsies het Saterdag hul Beker-titel in die SDC Noordvaal Cup suksesvol verdedig deur vir die tuisspan, Hoërskool Waterkloof, met 36-30 te troef. Daarmee het die Bere hul vierde titel in die reeks beklink. Garsfontein is in 2015 en 2016 ook as kampioen gekroon.

Hierdie sege het ook aan hoofafrigter, Johan du Plessis, sy vierde titel besorg sedert hy in 2014 die leisels by die Pretorianers oorgeneem het. Hy skryf egter die sukses aan die seuns toe.

Soos Du Plessis vroeër vandeesweek genoem het, was dit nie slegs die 23-tal op die dag nie, maar die hele groep van 40 spelers wat deur die loop van die jaar alles ingesit het om die Beker terug te bring Berepark toe.

Saterdag se kragmeting was ‘n eindstryd duisend, met albei spanne wat alles in die stryd gewerp het. Uiteindelik was dit waarskynlik die Garsies se ondervinding wat die deurslag gegee het.

Dit was vernaam die Bere se senterpaar wat in dié opsig leiding geneem het. Buitesenter, Ruan Enslin, het gewys hoekom hy reeds voor die eindstryd met sewe drieë gespog het en ook verlede jaar een van die voorste driedrukkers in die reeks was. Enslin se fenomenale vaart het die Klofies oorhoeks gehad en hy het gereeld spasie aan die buitekant gevind vir hom en die o.18 “A”-vleuels, Junaide Stuart en Brooklyn Newman, om te baljaar op die teenaanval.

Binnesenter en kaptein, Luann Olivier, was self dikwels ‘n doring in die vlees van die Blou Tornado. Olivier, oorspronklik ‘n flank, het ook nie geskroom om in die los te woel nie en is as die speler van die wedstryd aangewys.

Die Garsies se skrumdokter, Kevin Buys, sou vir Luan “Proppie” van den Berg, en die res van die Garsie-pak ‘n stewige klop op die skouer gegee het. Van den Berg was die hoeksteen van ‘n uitstaande skrumvertoning deur die Bere, wat die grondslag gelê het vir losskakel, Junade Pasensie, en Kie agterlangs.

Migael Prinsloo, die Klofies se skrumskakel, het ‘n vertoning gelewer wat nog lank deur die tuisspan se ondersteuners onthou sal word. Prinsloo, wat reeds uitstaande teen Hoërskool Monument in die halfeindronde was, het sy spelpeil nog ‘n trappie gelig en was waarskynlik wéér die Klofies se beste speler.

Buitesenter en kaptein, Riwan van Aswegen, en binnesenter, Happy Makate, het hul Kloof-loopbaan op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit. Albei was uitstekend op die aanval, met Makate oudergewoonte ook uitstaande op die verdediging.

Voorlangs sal haker, Ruan Jacobs, tevrede wees met sy vertoning. Hy was weer ‘n doring met die bal in hand en het, soos verlede week, puik ondersteuning ontvang van sy flanke, Divan Botha en Lendrey Janse van Vuuren.

Puntemakers: 

Garsfontein 36 (14) – Drieë: Luan van den Berg, Ruan Enslin, Stefan Pretorius, Junaide Stuart, Junade Pasensie, Luann Olivier. Doelskoppe: Handre Maree (3). Waterkloof 30 (20) – Drieë: Riwan van Aswegen, Ruan Jacobs, Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Ronan Bastiaanse (2). Strafdoel: Bastiaanse (3).

Ander spanne:

o.16

Helpmekaar Kollege 32 (10) – Drieë: Daniel van der Linden (3), Jeandre van der Merwe, Ruben Coetzee, Ethan Lourens. Doelskop: Shaye Lourens. Noordheuwel 6 (6) – Strafdoele: Tidi Moeketsane (2)

o.15

Monument 13 (3) – Drie: Ray-Nathin van Kolver. Doelskop: Jaydon Whitfield. Strafdoel: Whitfield. Noordheuwel 12 (12) – Drieë: Heinrich Smith, Jaydon Piennaar. Doelskop: Ronaldo October.

o.14

Hoerskool Rustenburg 22 (6) – Drie: Reinhardt Enthoven. Doelskop: Ryan Pheiffer. Strafdoele: Pheiffer (5). Monument 10 (0) – Drie: Clayton Snyman. Doelskop: Snyman. Strafdoel: Snyman.

Helpies se o.16-span het die bordjies vanjaar verhang om as die beste span in hul ouderdomsgroep in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling te eindig.

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Helpmekaar Kollege se o.16’s het vergoed vir die teleurstelling van 2023 se o.15-eindstryd deur vanjaar as die kampioen gekroon te word. Die span van Johannesburg het verlede jaar met 8-17 teen Hoërskool Monument se o.15’s vasgeval.

Vanjaar was dit ‘n ander storie en het hulle vir ‘n uitstaande vertoning gesorg om vir nóg ‘n span van Krugersdorp, Hoërskool Noordheuwel, gemaklik met 32-6 kaf te draf.

Hierdie sege was grotendeels te danke aan steelkantflank, Daniel van der Linden, se merkwaardige vertoning. Van der Linden het het gereeld met bal in hand vorentoe gebars en kon uiteindelik met ‘n briljante driekuns spog.

Haker, Jeandré van der Merwe, was ewe goed. Van der Merwe, het saam met Van der Linden, deurgaans hoofbrekens besorg vir die Nories se verdedigers en is welverdiend as speler van die wedstryd aangewys.

In die o.15 eindstryd was dit so hittete of daar was ‘n nuwe kampioen gekroon. Hoërskool Monument moes hard swoeg in die tweede helfte om sy bure, Hoërskool Noordheuwel, met ‘n enkele punt (13-12) die loef af te steek.

Danksy heelagter, Ray-Nathin van Kolver, se uitstekende afronding en losskakel, Jaydon Whitfield, se skopstewel, kon die Monumentare 13 onbeantwoorde punte in die tweede helfte aanteken.

Die Nories het die eerste helfte oorheers, met drieë deur linkervleuel, Jaydon Piennaar, en binnesenter, Heinrich Smith, wat aan hulle ‘n voorsprong van 12-3 met die omdraaislag besorg het. Hulle het egter nie ‘n antwoord gehad op die Monumentare se aanslag daarna nie.

Hoërskool Rustenburg se o.14-span het vir die grootste verrassing gesorg deur vir Monument met 22-10 om te dop.

Die Rusties se heelagter, Ryan Pheiffer, se naam sal vir lank nog by die Krugersdorpers spook. Die heelagter het sy span tot dié geskiedkundige sege gesool met ‘n doelskop en nie minder nie as vyf strafdoele vir ‘n persoonlike bydrae van 17 punte. Hy was ook vroeër vanjaar die beslissende faktor in die twee spanne se groepswedstryd toe hy ‘n strafdoel kort voor die eindfluitjie deur die pale gejaag het.

Puntemakers: 

o.16

Helpmekaar Kollege 32 (10) – Drieë: Daniel van der Linden (3), Jeandre van der Merwe, Ruben Coetzee, Ethan Lourens. Doelskop: Shaye Lourens. Noordheuwel 6 (6) – Strafdoele: Tidi Moeketsane (2)

o.15

Monument 13 (3) – Drie: Ray-Nathin van Kolver. Doelskop: Jaydon Whitfield. Strafdoel: Whitfield. Noordheuwel 12 (12) – Drieë: Heinrich Smith, Jaydon Piennaar. Doelskop: Ronaldo October.

o.14

Hoërskool Rustenburg 22 (6) – Drie: Reinhardt Enthoven. Doelskop: Ryan Pheiffer. Strafdoele: Pheiffer (5). Monument 10 (0) – Drie: Clayton Snyman. Doelskop: Snyman. Strafdoel: Snyman.

Last year’s finalists, Maritzburg College and Carter High School are through to the Cup quarterfinals of the Jody Momple Cup – formerly the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup – after the opening day of the two-day event, which is being contested by 24 teams.

Catch day two and all the finals LIVE on SuperSport Schools

The Pietermaritzburg rivals have already met four times this season, most recently in mid-week, when College scored an equaliser 10 seconds from the final whistle to make it 2-2, which sent their Cowie Cup quarterfinal to a penalty shootout. The Red, Black and White then took the win from the spot to even the season’s series at 2-2.

Carter scored a couple of workmanlike victories in their Group C matches on Saturday, beating Greytown 3-0 and Newton 2-0. College, 3-2 winners over Carter in a brilliant 2023 final, had their way with Treverton College in a Group H clash, powering their way to a 7-0 victory, which they followed up with a 2-0 win over Umvuzo.

The Jody Momple Cup is not a two-horse race, however, and Hilton College, Michaelhouse, Alexandra High, Ixopo High, Edendale Technical High and Carter B, who were late replacements for Maritzburg Christian School, joined them in the last eight.

Alex, Michaelhouse, Edendale and Ixopo all progressed with a maximum six points after winning both of their group games.

Maritzburg College and ML Sultan were the highest goal scorers, with both tallying nine, which included a 9-0 win for ML Sultan over Weston.

Sunday’s action starts at 08:00, with the Bowl quarterfinals. They’ll be followed by the Plate quarterfinals at 09:30, and the Cup quarterfinals at 11:00.

Those results will determine the fixtures for the remainder of the day.

FIXTURES AND RESULTS

Results

Group A

Hilton College 2-2 Howick
Hilton College 6-1 Riverwood
Riverwood 1-2 Howick

Hilton 5 points, Howick 4 points, Riverwood 0 points

Group B

Alexandra 5-0 Grace
Alexandra 3-0 St Nicholas
St Nicholas 2-2 Grace

Alexandra 6 points, St Nicholas 2 points, Grace College 1 point

Group C

Michaelhouse 4-0 Weston
Michaelhouse 2-0 ML Sultan
ML Sultan 9-0 Weston

Michaelhouse 6 points, ML Sultan 3 points, Weston 0 points

Group D

St Charles 0-0 Carter B
St Charles 1-2 Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy 0-2 Carter B

Carter B 5 points, St Charles 1 points, Heritage 0 points

Group E

Carter 3-0 Greytown
Carter 2-0 Newton
Newton 4-0 Greytown

Carter 6 points, Newton 3 points, Greytown 0 points

Group F

Ixopo 2-0 Etham
Ixopo 2-1 Haythorne
Haythorne 4-0 Etham

Ixopo 6 points, Haythorne 3 points, Etham 0 points

Group G

Edendale 2-0 Wartburg
Edendale 2-0 Linpark
Linpark 2-0 Wartburg

Group H

Maritzburg College 7-0 Treverton
Maritzburg College 2-0 Umvuzo
Umvuzo 3-0 Treverton

Maritzburg College 6 points, Umvuzo 3 points, Treverton 0 points

Fixtures

Bowl Quarterfinals

BQF 1 – 08:00 – Riverwood vs St Nicholas, Zungu
BQF 2 – 08:00 – Weston vs Heritage Academy, Etheridge
BQF 2 – 08:00 – Greytown vs Etham, New Field
BQF 4 – 08:00 – Wartburg vs Treverton, Lombard

Plate Quarterfinals

PQF 1 – 09:30 – Howick vs Grace College, Zungu
PQF 2 – 09:30 – ML Sultan vs St Charles, Etheridge
PQF 2 – 09:30 – Newton vs Haythorne, New Field
PQF 4 – 09:30 – Linpark vs Umvuzo, Lombard

Cup Quarterfinals

CQF1 – 11:00 – Hilton College vs Alexandra High, Zungu
CQF2 – 11:00 – Michaelhouse vs Carter B, Etheridge
CQF3 – 11:00 – Carter High vs Ixopo, New Field
CQF4 – 11:00 – Maritzburg College vs Edendale Technical High