Overview Sporting Achievements

Maritzburg College are justifiably proud of an excellent set of results against Hilton College which saw the rugby teams secure 19 wins from 19 games. The College’s hockey teams faced tough competition with a number of matches ending in a draw including the 1^st XI.

Rugby

The 19 College rugby teams who took to the fields against Hilton on Saturday played with determination and commitment across the age groups winning all 19 matches. The 1^st XV clash on Goldstones was a hard-fought game with both sides giving their all and providing their supporters plenty to cheer for, before the home team edged out the visitors 26-20.

1^st XV match report (Mr Tim Orchard, 1^st XV coach)

On Saturday, Maritzburg College played host to Hilton College in a must win match with both schools, coming into the match on the back of heartbreaking losses to Northwood and Westville respectively the previous weekend. Hilton have won the previous three encounters on Goldstones and this weekend they looked to extend their record to place even more pressure on the home side. Both teams had players unavailable but thankfully for the home side, they welcomed two players in their forward pack to add some steal in what would prove to be a critical area for them.

The first half started off rather quickly with both teams looking to gain an early ascendency, but Hilton drew first blood through a penalty kick from their flyhalf after a good passage of play. The home team fought back and after a period of good play found themselves deep within the Hilton half. They won a penalty and opted for a penalty move instead of kicking for touch. After a series of powerful carries by their forwards, the ball was shifted to Lee-Rynn Sinkfontein who stepped off his left foot to find a gap and score the first points for Maritzburg College. The kick was duly converted by James Slevin and College held a slender lead. College then scored the next try of the match after a scrum five meters from the Hilton goal line set up Rambo Kubheka to put the Hilton defenders under immense pressure and crash over for a try of his own, again with the conversion coming from James Slevin to further extend the home teams led to 14-3. Hilton had the final say in the half when they scored an unconverted try of their own to put the score at 14-8 at the break.

The start of the second half was a frenetic affair as College looked to extend their lead, but Hilton doggedly hung on and eventually were rewarded for their tenacity by scoring a converted try to take the lead by a single point. The match was mainly Hilton now as they looked the sharper of the two teams. From the halfway line, the Hilton backline found some space and allowed their backs to race away to score in the righthand corner to score an unconverted try take the lead to 20-14 in Hilton’s favour. College had their backs to the wall now and had to dig deep to mount any form of counteratack.

From the kickoff, College was awarded a string of penalties which allowed them the territory and possession to do just that. Captain Rambo Kubheka, not content with scoring tries now became provider by smartly assisting hooker Siya Nyathi who crashed over in the left-hand corner, the conversion was a very tight angle but James Slevin calmy sloted the conversion to put College ahead by a single point. College now had the bit between their teeth and a smartly taken change in direction orchestrated by Khubeka, allowed Ntsika Mkize to score his maiden try on his home debut to further extend the lead to 26-20 after the conversion was missed by Slevin. The game was not over as Hilton still felt they were very much in the match and mounted a late atempt to win the game at the death. In what was the final moment, Hilton looked like they would break the home team’s heart but a massive hit by Amahle Hadebe allowed College to win a penalty at the resulting breakdown, giving the home side the win.

Maritzburg College 26

Tries: Sinkfontein, Kubheka, Nyathi and Mkize Conversions: Slevin x3

Hilton College 20

Summary of scores

Hockey

1st XI match report (Mr Kyle Emerson, 1st XI coach)

This fixture would be a frustrating one for College. Too many unforced errors in the first quarter allowed Hilton to stifle the home team’s possession and prevented them from building any momentum. College only earned two circle entries and Hilton did not enjoy much momentum either, apart from one penalty corner, however they were unable to get the flick off.

In the second quarter College started to string phases together but it was Hilton who looked more threatening. College did well to keep them from scoring after a few chances that fell the way of the visitors, and College’s long diagonal balls were starting to trouble the Hilton zonal defence.

The third quarter is when the opportunities for College started to rack up. The first came from a well worked penalty corner which saw Julian Konigkramer’s flick ratle into the cross bar. Minutes later Banele Dlamini was in the circle and his back-hand shot was well saved by the Hilton goalkeeper.

Hilton’s best chance came from a penalty corner, but Nic Holmes was equal to it with a great save with his outstretched leg. Hilton was eventually able to convert first and opened the scoring after a counteratack. A College forward lost the ball in Hilton’s circle, and they sprang into action and ran the length of the pitch and sloted the ball past Holmes. College responded well and were not happy with the breach, it took only 25 seconds for College to equalise. A good turnover in the middle of the field from Ipeleng Mosupye allowed him to dart into the circle, his back-hand shot was saved but Siwe Sithembu was quick to pounce on the loose ball and pushed it into the goal.

In the fourth quarter the game opened up, with some physical challenges starting to mount up from Hilton as they looked to break down College’s ability to move the ball around the field, some of them legal, some of them beyond the laws of the game, and tempers starting to flare. College’s best chance to win the game came from another well worked penalty corner variation, but Dlamini was unable to lift the ball past the diving goalkeeper who came off his line quickly to stop College from finding the decisive goal.

In the end nothing would separate the two teams who threw everything at the match to try and

claim the victory, and it ended in a 1-1 stalemate after much excitement.

Summary of results

Soccer

College’s 1^st XI soccer team lost the KZN Inland League final 0-1 vs Carter.

Volleyball

Maritzburg College’s 1st team have had an outstanding second season, culminating in a bronze medal victory in the 3rd/4th place playoff against Westville’s 2nd team. Their consistent performance and determination throughout the season were evident as they faced tough competition.

In the semi-final encounter they faced the highly rated Westville 1^st team. College, played exceptionally well but eventually lost by the narrowest of margins. The team showed improved skills, strategic playmaking, and cohesive teamwork, building on their inaugural season’s experience. Key players delivered powerful spikes and solid defensive blocks, proving crucial in tight matches.

In the bronze medal match, College displayed exceptional resilience and focus, securing a hard- fought win against Westville’s 2^nd team. This win underscored their growth and dedication, earning them well-deserved accolades. Congratulations to the team for their impressive achievements this season!

Summary of results:

Semi final

College 1^st vs Westville 1^st lost 0-2

3^rd/4^th place

College 1^st vs Westville 2^nd won 2-0

Canoeing

College’s canoeists participated in the KZN Marathon Championships over the weekend, producing excellent results in both the K1 and K2 divisions.

K1

U14 14.2 km

Keigan Clarke 3^rd

U16 20.6 km

Keegan Vogt 1^st

Josh Worthmann 10^th

U18 20.6 km

Keegan Vogt 1^st Jayden JvRensburg 5^th Luke O Connor 7^th

K2

U14 14.2 km

Keigan Clarke and partner (Kaden Hogarty) 1^st

U18 20.6 km

Jayden JvRensburg and partner (Greg Palframen) 1^st Keegan Vogt and partner (Julia McAlister) mixed 3^rd Josh Worthmann and Luke O Connor 7^th

^{Sports report sent from Maritzburg College}

^{1st Team Rugby Rankings}