Kearsney College sports news for 4th November:
CRICKET
Maritzburg College 1st X1: 213 (Mason 75; Gonya 3/23)
Kearsney 1st X1: 181 (Coetzee 38, Blackburn 32; Mason 3/38)
Kearsney lost by 32 runs
Kearsney took a young side to a sweltering Maritzburg College on a day when the toss was to be crucial in terms of the heat factor. Kearsney lost the toss and bowled first in the steamy conditions.
Chad Mason took full advantage of the faltering Kearsney attack which was to concede 38 extras as the innings wore on and contributed with a well-played 75. Litha Gonya was the pick of Kearsney’s bowlers with 3/23. College posted a respectable 213 in 49.1 overs.
It was always going to be difficult chase with the young and inexperienced batsmen up against battle-hardened College matrics in the Goldstone cauldron; but they stuck to the task manfully.
Excellent leg spinner Chad Mason (3/38) and a few disastrous runouts compounded matters and Kearsney was bowled out for 181. Only Ross Coetzee (38), Aaron Blackburn (32) and Cole Young (29) offered any real resistance. College predictably won by 32 runs.
It was a classic College/Kearsney clash, no holds barred and played with passion and pride throughout.
A highlight of the day for Kearsney was that captain Ross Coetzee broke the school record for the most runs scored in a calendar year. Until last year, the record had stood since 1965, before being broken by Hayden Bishop, who made 1 428 runs. Ross Coetzee broke that record on Saturday, scoring his 1 433rd run. He still has one game remaining this season.
WATER POLO
Maritzburg College 1st team lost to Kearsney 1st team 8-10
Kearsney’s 1st team wrapped up their season on Saturday with a win against hosts Maritzburg College, taking them to a 21-game winning streak.
The fixture started slowly, with Kearsney leading 2-0 at the end of the first quarter, despite showing a lack of urgency and energy.
Playing in a long course pool was a shift, given that the last two tournaments were held in short courses.
College challenged Kearsney, with their goalie making several key saves throughout the match to keep them competitive. But in the end, Kearsney was able to secure a 10-8 victory.
Kearsney’s U16 boys participated in the Northwood Water Polo Tournament, where they secured an impressive second place finish. The young team demonstrated remarkable growth and determination throughout the tournament.
Results:
Kearsney beat Westville Boys 6 – 3; Kearsney beat Maritzburg College 8 – 0; Kearsney beat the Invitational Team 8 – 3; Kearsney lost to Clifton 4 – 11; Kearsney beat Michaelhouse 6 – 4; Kearsney beat Northwood 3 – 1; Kearsney beat Grey College 6 – 2
Final: Kearsney lost to Clifton 1 – 12
BASKETBALL
Maritzburg College 1st team beat Kearsney 1st team 74-54
Kearsney travelled to Pietermaritzburg to play the weekend’s fixture against Maritzburg College, not having won a game in Alan Paton Hall for some time.
The reality of playing against College at home is tough – the crowd is hostile, the temperature inside the venue is excruciating and the hoops are difficult, requiring some home court knowledge.
College started fast and Kearsney struggled to deal with the environment, missing easy shots and turning over the ball needlessly. They were down 20 – 8 at the end of the first quarter and were not looking good.
In the second quarter, however, they fought back to cut the lead to five through some tough defense and better shot selection. The teams went into half-time with Kearsney trailing 25 – 20.
The third quarter was closely contested but, as hard as Kearsney tried, their missed opportunities on offence hurt them when they allowed College to score easy baskets and relieve the pressure they were being put under defensively. College won the third quarter 17 – 11.
Kearsney had left too much to do in the fourth quarter and, although they fought hard, they could not dig themselves from the hole they had created. College won 74 – 54.
Top scorers
Kearsney: Pabatso Sithole 19 points; James Hastings-Brown 17
College: Nkanyiso Ngcobo 26 points, Matthew Askham 10
Photos: Hannah Shirley
Sports report sent from Sue Miles at working words.
