Kearsney College Sports report:
Cricket
Kearsney 1st XI hosted Michaelhouse on Saturday, and elected to bowl first.
In the first over the hosts struck to remove Michaelhouse captain Ethan Muir. Superb seam bowling from Litha Gonya and Michael Groom saw the visitors slip to 33/4.
Fortunately for them a middle order wicket partnership eased any major trouble, with Hayden Hewlett (32) and Jean Luc Rey (32) getting Michaelhouse to 144 all out.
Litha Gonya was the pick of Kearsney’s bowlers, taking an impressive 5/36, while Bonga Mapanga supported him, taking 2/21.
Knowing they did not have an imposing score on the board, Michaelhouse came out firing. Their opening bowling partnership of Thandanani Zuma and Luke Mitchell were impressive. A nine-over spell on the trot from Zuma saw him take 5/24; while Mitchell took 3/28 in his 10 overs to blow the Kearsney batting order to pieces.
Kearsney were 47/8 after 19 overs before there was a change in bowling and the batters got some respite. Michael Groom (39 not out) and Matthew Gorie showed real character putting together a gutsy 56 run partnership, to take the score to 103, giving the hosts some hope.
Unfortunately, it was not to be for Kearsney who was dismissed for 106; and Michaelhouse ran out winners by 38 runs.
Michaelhouse 1st X1: 144 all out (Hewlett 32, Rey 32; Gonya 5/36 Mapanga 2/21)
Kearsney 1st X1: 106 all out (Groom 39*; Zuma 5/24, Mitchell 3/28)
Michaelhouse won by 38 runs
BASKETBALL
Kearsney 1st team beat MIchaelhouse 1st team 64-59
Kearsney hosted Michaelhouse for the opening fixture of the 2025 school basketball season. Playing in front of a packed venue, the much-anticipated match did not disappoint.
Both teams started strongly, with neither giving an inch on defense, but also being able to convert some fast break opportunities. The first quarter ended with Kearsney marginally in front 18-17.
The second quarter saw the teams trade baskets, with neither gaining the ascendancy, but Kearsney increased their lead to three points. The teams headed into half-time with Kearsney up 31-27.
The teams continued the trend in the third quarter and House managed to shave a point off Kearsney’s lead (41-39), setting up a tense final quarter.
The visitors erased Kearsney’s lead and, with only a few seconds remaining, managed to lead 55-53. However, Kearsney scored a basket, through a strong post move by Troy Vermeulen, which sent the game into overtime.
Kearsney managed to pull away, finishing the game strongly, and maintaining a three-point lead until the final whistle. They finished 64-59 winners.
Top performers
Kearsney: Pabatso Sithole 18 points, Kwakuhle Sibiya 7, Daniel Prinsloo 6, James Hastings-Brown and Sipho Majiza 5
Michaelhouse: Funi Kanyongolo 26 points, Nkateko Mathebula 7, Michael Ngorima 6, David Moodie 5
WATER POLO
Kearsney 1st team beat Michaelhouse 1st team 11-8
The first fixture of the season saw Kearsney up against Michaelhouse. Coming off an incredible season last year and riding a 22-game winning streak, Kearsney’s 1st team aimed for their 23rd consecutive victory.
As anticipated, the game was tightly contested. Michaelhouse started strong, giving their opponents, who hadn’t had much time in the water recently, quite a scare. However, Kearsney managed to end the first chukka with a 1-goal lead.
The second and third chukkas were equally intense. Both teams scored three goals each in the second chukka, while in the third Kearsney couldn’t find the back of the net, and Michaelhouse managed to score one. This brought the score to a 7-7 tie at the end of the third chukka.
In the final chukka, Kearsney’s experience and composure were evident. The boys gave it their all, outscoring Michaelhouse 4-1 to secure a 11-8 victory.
According to Sportztrak statistics, Kearsney converted 4 out of 9 extra-man opportunities, while Michaelhouse converted 1 out of 6. Kearsney also scored 3 out of 4 penalties, with Michaelhouse converting 1 out of 1.
Kearsney goal scorers were Luca Sandri 4, James Pohl 2, Thomas Aylward 2, Thomas Franke 2, Levi Thom
Photographer: Hannah Shirley
Report sent from Sue Miles at Working Words
