Kearsney College sports news from the weekend.
CRICKET
Kearsney lost the toss yet again on a day when the overcast conditions indicated that bowlers were destined to have a field day.
With some trepidation, Kearsney’s openers were to face Glenwood’s formidable duo of Ntando Soni (SA U19/SA Schools) and Bandile Mbatha (KZN U19). Despite some hostile fast bowling from the two quicks, Kearsney coped admirably and managed an impressive 243 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs.
Glenwood did not utilise the optimal bowling conditions and, from the start of the innings, left themselves the daunting task of having to chase at a required run rate of almost five to the over.
Pick of the Kearsney batters were Jonty Wiggett with a gutsy 36 upfront, a swashbuckling 33 from Sandiswa Yeni, a competent 59 from Aaron Blackburn on debut, and a vintage 77 from captain Ross Coetzee who is in the form of his life.
Kearsney utilised the ideal bowling conditions on offer, and bundled Glenwood out for 116, with only Sibonyela Phewa (37) and Nthando Soni (32) offering some resistance.
It was an interesting game, in which bowlers were expected to be dominant, yet no bowler took more than two wickets. Excellent fielding was the order of the day and it was another display of excellent schoolboy cricket, with both sides engaged in a competent, enthusiastic and competitive battle.
Kearsney 1st X1: 243/8 (Coetzee 77, Blackburn 59)
Glenwood 1st X1: 116 all out
Kearsney won by 127 runs (50 over game)
WATER POLO
Kearsney’s 1st team water polo won the annual 1st Team Saints Stayers’ Invitational Tournament at St Stithians this past weekend, a prestigious event featuring 20 of the country’s top girls’ and boys’ stayers’ teams.
With Kearsney making only its second appearance in the tournament’s 30-year history, the team entered as underdogs. They went unbeaten in the pool stages, securing the top position in their group after impressive wins over Hilton, Pretoria Boys, SACS and Jeppe. This strong performance allowed Kearsney to advance directly to the quarter finals.
In the quarters match against St Andrews, after a slow start and trailing 1-3 by the end of the first quarter, the team managed to rally and ultimately won 11-9.
The semi-finals saw them face familiar and formidable opponent St John’s College, to whom they had lost in their last two meetings at the Clifton Tournament. Pushed to the limit, Kearsney scored the decisive goal with just seven seconds left, to clinch an 8-7 victory.
In the final, Kearsney faced an unbeaten Bishops. Bishops took an early lead, and Kearsney found themselves down 4-8. But with sheer determination, Kearsney fought back, levelling and then overtaking Bishops late in the fourth quarter, to win 17-14.
Kearsney’s James Pohl, Thomas Aylward and Thomas Francke were selected for the tournament’s All Stars team; and Thomas Aylward was also selected as the defender of the tournament.
Results:
Pool stages: Kearsney beat Hilton 7-5, Kearsney beat Pretoria Boys 6-3, Kearsney beat Jeppe High School 11-8, Kearsney beat SACS 10-8.
Quarters: Kearsney beat St Andrews 11-8
Semi Final: Kearsney beat St John’s College 8-7
Final: Kearsney beat Bishops 17-14
BASKETBALL
Kearsney 1st team beat Glenwood 1st team 83-22
Glenwood headed up the hill to play Kearsney in the weekend fixture. The Kearsney team dominated their guests from the jump ball and it was apparent that the Glenwood team, while filled with big and athletic bodies, had not had enough court time to improve their skill to the level required.
Kearsney won the first quarter 28-8, the second 21-2 and the third 33-11. Kearsney’s coach was able to play many of his fringe players and give them much-needed game time. They did not disappoint, taking their opportunity and showing what they are capable of doing.
In the fourth quarter, the clock ran to keep the score down. Kearsney ran out winners 83-22.
Top Performers
Kearsney: Kwakuhle Sibya 11 points; Mvelo Mkhize & Markus Wise 10, Pabatso Sithole, Connor Grenfell & Ndumiso Malunga 9; James Hastings-Brown 8
