Overview Sporting Achievements Maritzburg College’s basketball, cricket and water polo teams were in action against DHS this week, while the squash 1st team travelled to St Andrews in Bloemfontein, winning 4 of their 5 rounds. College’s swimmers had a very busy week participating both the Nester Pierides Memorial Gala and the Alan Burt Gala before a group of them took part in the Midmar Mile on Sunday.
College won the 2nd aQuellè athletics meet of the year, with five 1st places, three 2nd places and two 3rds.
Basketball
College won 18 of their 27 basketball matches, with very good wins for the 14A, 15A, 16A and 1st teams.
1st team report (Ms Nonkululeko Gumede) In a spectacle that can only be described as passionate, Maritzburg College set the stage for an intense clash between DHS and the formidable boys of the red, black, and white. From the very onset, the game unfolded at a blistering pace, with DHS seizing control through a display of dominant play and uncannily accurate shots at the basket.
The resounding chants of “THIS IS OUR HOUSE!” echoed proudly from the College supporters and marked a turning point, as the players stepped up and showcased their remarkable skills. Credit is undoubtedly due to Coach Mr. Siwila, whose strategic prowess guided the team’s tactical play, demonstrating a level of finesse that spoke volumes. As the final whistle pierced the air, Maritzburg College emerged victorious, securing the game with a commanding score of 62-40. This clash not only exemplified the competitive spirit between DHS and College but also underscored our school’s unwavering commitment to excellence on the basketball court.
Cricket
The College First XI brought home a comfortable victory this past weekend, putting together arguably their best all round performance of the season. College won 15 of their 20 matches.
1st XI match report (Mr Robbie Coutts – 1st XI coach) On a cloudy Pietermaritzburg morning, on Goldstones, College captain Chad Mason won the toss had no hesitation in sending the opposition into bat on a wicket that would assist the bowlers. At the start to the bowling innings, the College bowling attack lacked discipline and bowled far too many extras which allowed the DHS opening batsmen to settle. Left arm seamer Sphamandla Dzanibe made the initial break through, a well disguised slower ball resulting in an easy catch for Mason with the score on 63. Dzanibe ensured the DHS batsmen were always under pressure, picking up a further two wickets in his spell of 6 overs. DHS were never able to put together any partnerships of value, the College bowling attack managing to pick up crucial wickets before the opposition batsmen could set up a challenging total. The two left arm seamers Dzanibe and Samuel Hughes bowled a combined 15 overs for only 37 runs, picking up 5 wickets. Dzanibe the pick of the bowlers picking up four wickets.
The College opening pair of Ryan Mc Kean and Llewellyn Sutherland got their team off to a steady start, getting to 81 before McKean was out caught for 27. Two partnerships, the first of 55 between Mason and Sutherland and the second of 35 between Sutherland and Michael Gibson ensured College comfortably won the game by 7 wickets in the 43rd over. Sutherland unfortunately getting out with his team needing 3 runs to win for a well-played 82. Scores in brief: DHS 173 all out; Dzanibe 4 for 19 College 176 for 3; Sutherland 82, McKean 27, Gibson 26* College won by 7 wickets.
Water polo
Unfortunately, three of the planned matches against DHS were cancelled due to lightning, but College won two matches and lost two of the remaining ones.
Summary of results:
Team Opposition Score Result: 1st DHS Abandoned 2nd DHS Abandoned 3rd DHS 10-8 Won 15A DHS Abandoned 15B DHS 10-1 Won 14A DHS 7-9 Lost 14B DHS 6-10 Lost
Squash
College’s squash team has had an excellent time at St Andrews in Bloemfontein, winning 4 of their 5 rounds. Congratulation to Joel Maistry (6) who was unbeaten, winning all 5 of his matches, 3-0.
Results: Vs Queens College: won 5-1 Vs St Stithians: won 5-1 Vs St Andrews: won 4-2 Vs Grey High: lost 5-1 Vs St Andrews B (Bloem): won 6-0
Athletics
Maritzburg College took part in the 2nd aQuellè Summer series meeting on Wednesday. A total of 15 schools took part this week and College finished 1st again, extending our overall lead in the series. College’s athletes achieved five 1st places, three 2nd places and two 3rd places.
Results: 1st: S Jansen – Under 16 Hammer (37.90m) New Record S Ismail – Under 16 800m (2:07.94) New Record S Oosthuizen – Under 20 Javelin (43.73m) M Mogale – Under 16 200m (23.52s) Y Mchunu – Under 20 200m (22.78s)
2nd: N Breedt – Under 16 Hammer (30.21m) T Ekerold – Under 18 Hammer (39.65m) E Maynard – Under 20 800m (2:08.02)
3rd: K Wichmann – Under 20 Javelin (37.20m) M Thomson – Under 18 Long Jump (5.78m)
Overall age categories: 2nd under 15: S Ismail 1st under 20: E Maynard
Swimming At the Nestor Pierides Gala, College finished 8th out of 12 schools, and later in the week at the Allan Burt Gala, they placed 5th.
Sports report sent by Maritzburg College.
