Sports News: Maritzburg College weekend round up

Sports News from Maritzburg College on their weekend round up matches.

This weekend saw Maritzburg College host Hilton in a full round of summer sport fixtures. Unfortunately, bad weather and thunderstorms on Saturday after saw many of the cricket matches abandoned.

Cricket

On Friday, the Maritzburg College 1^st XI took on local rival St Charles in a T20 fixture, winning their match by 16 runs. On Saturday, the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd team matches as well as the 15A and 14A matches were all abandoned due to the stormy weather. Of the seven matches that were completed, College won three and lost four.

1^st team report (Mr Robbie Coutts, 1^st XI coach)

The Maritzburg College Stayers XI faced St Charles College in a CSA T20 pool fixture on an overcast afternoon at the picturesque St Charles Oval.

St Charles won the toss and elected to bowl first. College openers Kyle De Bruyn and Akhil Bharath made a steady start, reaching 33 without loss in the powerplay. De Bruyn was the first to depart for a run-a-ball 20, bringing Luka Puddu to the crease. Bharath and Puddu then combined superbly, putting on 105 off 76 balls to set up a competitive total of 148 for their team.

College struck early in the defence, with stand-in captain Reece Willson taking a wicket with the very first ball of the innings, a sharp catch at cover by Matt Bisset. St Charles added 37 for the second wicket but struggled to build momentum until a 6th-wicket partnership of 63 off 44 balls briefly put the hosts back in contention.

The breakthrough came courtesy of Dom Du Toit, who dismissed one of the set batters before a run out in the same over swung the game firmly back in College’s favour. Willson and Du Toit bowled tightly at the death, ensuring Maritzburg College held on for a 16-run victory, as St Charles finished on 132 for 8.

Scores in Brief

Maritzburg College 148 for 3; Bharath 61, Puddu 55*

St Charles 132 for 8; Hosking 2 for 24

Maritzburg College won by 16 runs

1st team cricket rankings

Basketball

College won 13 of their 20 basketball games against Hilton, losing 7.

Water polo

There were some very hard-fought water polo games over the weekend against Hilton College which saw College secure two wins from the six played. The 1^st team competed in the Inspired Cup up in Johannesburg, producing an excellent performance and winning three of their six matches.

1st team report (Mr D Sherriff, Director of Aquatics and 1^st team coach)

The Maritzburg College 1st Stayers team put in a strong showing at the Inspired Cup in Johannesburg, playing six competitive matches, winning three and losing three.

College recorded impressive victories over St Alban’s 2^nd team, Reddam Helderfontein, and St Peter’s College, who went on to win the tournament overall, and finishing in 6^th position. The boys showed great determination, teamwork, and spirit throughout the event, with several tight contests showcasing their growing confidence and cohesion.

1st Team Water Polo Rankings

Canoeing

Congratulation to the College canoeists who competed in the ICF ocean racing world championships, in Durban over the weekend producing very good results.

U18 single ski

7^th Keegan Vogt

22^nd Luke O’Connor 27^th Josh Worthmann 29^th Jayden JvRensburg

Mixed SS2

Senior

12^th Jayden JvRensburg & Bridgitte Hartley

Junior

10^th Luke O’Connor and partner (Grace Richardson)