Overview Sporting Achievements Over 750 boys and staff from Maritzburg College travelled up to Pretoria Boys’ High (PBHS) in what must be one of the biggest school exchanges in the country. Over the years this has grown from only a sporting exchange focused on hockey and rugby, to one which encompasses the rich cultural and sporting diversity of both these schools.
The exchange saw 28 rugby matches and 15 hockey teams take part, while the schools also competed in chess, mountain biking, table tennis, squash, public speaking and debating. In addition, the Big Band musical evening was a very special event which celebrated the musical talents of the boys from College and Boys’ High.
While most of the sporting activity was up at PBHS this weekend, College’s squash, soccer and newly established volleyball teams competed in local tournaments.
Congratulations to 6th former Luke Akerman who won the Maritzburg Golf Club championship over the weekend with a well-played 142 – 2 under par.
Rugby:
Nine busloads (28 teams) of keen and enthusiastic rugby boys arrived at PBHS ready to fight for dominance on the rugby fields and did not disappoint, winning an outstanding 25 of their 28 matches. There were very convincing victories for the U14A, U15A, U16A and 2nd XV. However, it was the closing match perfor=mance of the 1st XV, on the back of excellent Easter festival results, which touched the hearts of the #RedBlackWhite supporters. A gritty and determined group, despite not having the captain Kadira in the side sidelined with an ankle injury, they worked as a team, and secured a very well-deserved 47-15 win.
1st XV match report (Mr Tim Orchard – 1st XV coach)
The start of the 1st team game heralded perfect conditions for running rugby. Early into the match PBHS managed to get on the scoreboard with a converted penalty. With their tails up, they then managed to score their first of two tries in the match when they punctured the College defence after a period of sustained possession allowed them to dot the ball down in the corner. College captain, Kuhle Mthimkhulu returned the favour straight after the kick-off and dotted the ball down under the posts to open up College’s account. College was exceptionally brave on their defense throughout the match, not allowing the hosts to gain further momentum. This sustained pressure allowed College to get over the line once again taking the score into half time 12-8 in College’s favour. The second half saw College continue the momentum, dominating the possession and running in five tries which resulted in a final score of 47-15. An outstanding performance from in-form fullback, Luyanda Kunene, saw the young man taking the Man of the Match award.
College will travel to Kimberly this coming weekend to participate in the Wilderklawer festival where they will play Stellenberg and Framesby.
Maritzburg College 47 Tries: K. Mthimkulu, C. Reardon (2), L. du Toit, R. Quin, E Mouton, P Kubheka Conversions: L du Toit (5), J. Slevin Pretoria Boys’ High 15
Hockey:
College fielded 15 hockey teams against PBHS, in what were some very closely contested matches. With draws for most the open teams, the U16A continued their impressive season with a 2-0 victory, while the U14A team secured a 1-0 win.
1st XI march report (Mr Kyle Emerson – 1st XI coach) Travelling to Pretoria to take on PBHS is never easy. The determination and fight which ‘Boys High play with is difficult enough, and to do it at altitude is a tough adjustment. The game started at a high pace as both teams pressed each other high up the field. Both teams moved the ball well and played with good structure as they tried to break the other team down. PBHS earned two penalty corners in the first half but couldn’t get a shot off and threaten the goal. It was in the third quarter that College would really start to assert themselves on the game and create some good chances, but were unable to convert. The best chance of the game fell to Brokensha and Bernstein who were able to create a 2 vs 1 with the goalkeeper after a counterattack but were unable to connect and find the back of the net. A few minutes later, the College pressure allowed them to earn a stroke. Unfortunately, they couldn’t open the scoring with this as the PBHS goalkeeper saved it. College would rue this missed chance as early in the fourth quarter PBHS opened the scoring. Nick Holmes did well to save the first shot, but he was then impeded from getting up as the forward fell on top of him, and when the College defender tried to clear the ball, he was taken out by PBHS forward, only for the ball to fall to a PBHS forward who hit the ball into the goal. The umpire adjudged there to be no foul play and awarded the goal. This only got the College men more fired up and four minutes from time a good ball was played into the circle by Asanda Khumalo who found Banele Dlamini and, after skilfully beating two defenders, he flicked the ball into the net. College would earn two more penalty corners in the dying minutes but were unable to score and take the lead. The game would end 1-1 with College feeling like they had done enough to earn the win, but couldn’t convert opportunities.
Other sporting and cultural codes vs PBHS There were also excellent results for College’s other sporting and cultural teams against PBHS.
Cycling:
College’s senior cyclists dominated the track event which took part at Grootfontein MTB Park, while our juniors gave a good account of themselves but weren’t as strong as PBHS on the day.
Seniors: 1st Luke Newlands 3rd Cole Sellick 5th Brent Foster 6th Ethan Kock 7th Michael Jewaskiewitz 9th James Anderson Juniors: 2nd Kayden Searle 4th Daniel Janneker
Squash College vs PBHS won 13-9.
Table tennis College vs PBHS won 16-14.
Chess The College chess team played 3 rounds, winning 2 and losing 1.
Team Opponents Result MC 1st PBHS D 1-1 MC 2nd PBHS D 0-0 MC 3rd PBHS D 1-1 MC 4th PBHS D 1-1 MC 5th PBHS W 1-0
Team Opponents Result MC 16A PBHS W 2-0 MC 16B PBHS L 1-2 MC 16C PBHS L 1-2 MC 16D PBHS W 2-1 MC 16E PBHS L 2-3 MC 16F PBHS W 3-1
Team Opponents Result MC 14A PBHS W 1-0 MC 14B PBHS D 1-1 MC 14C PBHS W 3-0 MC 14D PBHS W 3-0
Golf College unfortunately lost 1-3 to PBHS in the golf matches played at the Waterkloof Club.
Debating College’s senior debating team (open age), made up of KZN provincial level debaters, went up against opponents of a similar calibre from PBHS, and did very well to win. The College junior team who are Pietermaritzburg league players lost to PBHS.
Public speaking In a format which proved challenging, College’s participants acquitted themselves very well. Sixth former, Kristen Marais achieved 90% and tied in 1st position with the PBHS speaker. Matthew van Rooyen and Keegan Steele also achieved distinctions.
Sports report sent by Maritzburg College.