Sports News from St Charles College
It was another week of action as the boys in Blue and Gold continued their great form in the Midlands tennis league, hosted football at home, played 7’s rugby with our B teams at Wembley, and also hosted a Night Relay on campus.
The 1st team football report is provided by Head of Football, Mr Gary Ritchie:
St Charles College hosted Clifton on Saturday on a warm and dry day. Both teams tried to express themselves in the opening encounters. St Charles College controlled the play but lacked the quality in the final third. The score at half-time was goalless.
The second half again was dominated by the hosts but were becoming more clinical in their build-up and testing the defence of Clifton. With time running out, and the match heading for a draw, defender Tuahir Tuahir won the ball on the halfway line, beat a player and found Mlambo who laid the ball to Alckmin Simone, and he finished well in the bottom left corner.
Team of the week nominee U15E football had a cracking match against Clifton with box-to-box action and the match ended in a 3-3 draw. The match was played in true spirit and very entertaining to watch.
The 1st XI cricket report is provided by Head Coach, Mr Divan van Wyk:
Fasken Time Cricket Festival – Johannesburg
The St Charles College First Team travelled to Johannesburg to take part in the prestigious Fasken Cricket Festival – a pre-season tour designed to give the boys valuable time in the middle, sharpen their skills, and build towards an exciting season ahead. The festival consisted of two two-day matches played in superb conditions against top opposition.
Match 1: vs King Edward VII School
St Charles College opened their campaign against King Edward VII School (KES), one of the country’s most formidable cricketing programmes. The contest was hard-fought, with both teams refusing to give an inch across the two days.
On Day 1, St Charles College showed resilience against a disciplined KES attack. A highlight was Connor Simpson’s brisk 51 off just 54 balls, which gave St Charles a platform and injected momentum into the innings. KES, however, maintained steady pressure to keep the upper hand for much of the day.
With the ball, the bowlers showed impressive determination. Keegan Vermaak led the way with four crucial wickets, forcing KES into an early declaration with only a marginal lead. This display of character and persistence against older, more experienced opposition was a positive marker of the team’s growth.
In the second innings, St Charles College batted with confidence and maturity. Caleb Sharp struck a fluent 84, while Ryan Clarke provided stability with a composed knock, ensuring the team finished strongly and gained valuable batting time ahead of the season.
Match 2: vs St John’s College (Mitchell Field)
The second fixture was played at the picturesque Mitchell Field at St John’s College, a fitting stage for another testing encounter.
Once again, Caleb Sharp continued his fine form with another classy 84, making it two half-centuries in as many matches. He was well supported by Ryan Clarke, whose patience and temperament anchored the innings. Earlier, AJ Bosman and Rowen Rajah combined for a well-constructed 70-run partnership, laying an excellent foundation for the middle order.
With the ball, Saints rose to the challenge against a powerful St John’s line-up. Rowen Rajah produced a fiery opening spell, setting the tone and allowing the rest of the attack to build pressure and claim breakthroughs. The collective effort highlighted the team’s progress in discipline and consistency, key areas of focus at this stage of the season.
One of the standout moments of the tour was the superb 190-run partnership between the talented young Christiaan Prinsloo, who crafted a flawless 120, and Thando Zama, who played with great maturity to score a superb 89.
The Fasken Festival provided exactly what the First XI needed: valuable game time, exposure to tough opposition, and the chance to grow both individually and collectively. Beyond the runs and wickets, the tour was about creating memories, strengthening bonds, and embracing the journey ahead. With the confidence gained in Johannesburg, the St Charles College First XI can look forward to the upcoming season with renewed belief and excitement.
