Sports news from Kearsney College on their Michaelmas results.
CRICKET
1st X1 Michaelmas Festival
On the first day of the Michaelmas Festival (Saturday 04 October), Kearsney took on a much-vaunted KES team at Richmond. KES won an important toss after a fair amount of rainfall in the area and put Kearsney in to bat first. The KES bowlers immediately had Kearsney in trouble through Lebanse Ramedupe 3 for 37 and Luke Clark 3 for 23. Wickets fell constantly, but Cole Young looked like he was playing on a different surface, scoring 84 runs. The pitch dried in the latter part of the innings, making batting easier and Kearsney were eventually bowled out for 168 in 47 overs.
Kearsney started well with the ball having KES 14 for 2 and in came Troy Gordon, arguably the batsmen of the Michaelmas Festival, who showed extreme maturity and patience scoring 87 not out. Wickets fell around him and at 137 for 6 the game was truly in the balance, thanks mainly to a fine spell of leg-spin bowling from Rivan Moodley 3 for 42. However, Gordon managed to get his team over the line with three wickets in hand.
Day 2 was a tough one for Kearsney, where Waterkloof won the toss and elected to bat first. The Waterkloof batters were extremely positive and sent the bowlers to all parts of the ground. Unfortunately, Kearsney’s catching let them down, missing six opportunities and they were made to pay, with Waterkloof amassing 314/7 with AJ De Villiers (61) and Darius Maritz (68*). Kearsney’s Litha Gonya 3 for 56 and Michael Groom 3 for 46 were the standout performers with the ball. Having to chase over 300 was always going to be a tough ask for a young Kearsney team who lost wickets regularly, with only Keegan de Jager (43) and Aaron Blackburn (25) showing much resistance, and were bowled out for 166. Wian Du Plessis was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 8.
Day 3 saw Kearsney face Jeppe. Once again Kearsney lost the toss and had to bowl first. Kearsney were extremely impressive with the ball and had Jeppe 115 for 7 with Mathew Gorrie being the stand out, taking 4 for 47. The tail for Jeppe wagged and they were eventually bowled out for 183 with Ahmed Goolam (31) and Keegan Cockburn (33) ensuring Jeppe posted a very good score. Kearsney could not have started worse with the ball, and were reeling at 18 for 7 before Aaron Blackburn added some respectability to the score being left man alone on 54 not out and Kearsney bowled out for 85. Keegan Cockburn was the pick with the ball too taking 4 for 4 in 5 overs along with Reza Ayob 3 for 12.
The final day saw Kearsney host St Albans and the visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. On a pitch that offered some assistance to the bowlers early, Liam Basch batted beautifully, making 76 not out. St Albans made 129 for 7 in their 20 overs. Kearsney then went in to bat and got off to a very good start through Aaron Blackburn (54) and Keegan de Jager (36) and took the score to 91 for 1 in 12 overs. In what should have been a comfortable chase from there, a number of wickets fell but a good cameo from Jonty Wiggett 18* off 12 balls saw Kearsney win with two balls to spare and five wickets in hand.
GOLF
Fifteen-year-old Kearsney golfer Asher Hollister has continued his fine form during the holidays.
At the recent SA Schools Championship held at Orkney Golf Club in North West Province, Asher managed to finish tie eighth. He unfortunately lost on a count out, and was named as reserve for the SA Schools team.
