Many positives for Maritzburg College rugby as KZN10 season beckons
It has been an encouraging start to the 2021 year for Maritzburg College rugby. The leading players in the age-group teams have, through the recent Fichardtpark festival in Bloemfontein, got to know one another in a series of three matches apiece and the building of team spirit and cohesion is going to stand them in good stead as the domestic season hopefully swings into action without unforeseen outside influences this coming Saturday.
After a 2020 schoolboy rugby year that never was, the very fact that the Maritzburg College boys and their teams have actually been able to go away, bond together, and play actual matches is the biggest winner by far.
The Maritzburg College U14 group won their 3 matches comfortably; the U15s had 2 close matches that were sure to provide them with much food for thought, plus a comfortable win; the U16s had 2 tight matches winning by 11 points in one match and going down by 9 points in the other, plus a comfortable win (this group have been also given much match evidence to work with).
The Maritzburg College 2nd XV registered 3 sets of wins over 1st teams, one by 4 points, one by 7 points and the other by 15 points – the implication is that they were thoroughly tested.
The Red Black and White’s first XV (feature pic) earned 2 wins by 18-point margins and the third by 19 points.
So a thoroughly deserved congratulations to Maritzburg College director of rugby Hein Kriek and his coaches and support staff across the age-groups plus, of course, the boys themselves. Good on you. Very well done guys. It appears that a solid base had been put in place.
Wishing strength to build upon strength across the board as Maritzburg College rugby ventures further into 2021.
MARITZBURG COLLEGE FICHARDTPARK FESTIVAL RESULTS
Day 1
U14 vs Welkom Gim 40-5
U15 vs Welkom Gim 42-5
U16 vs Grey College 17-26
2nd XV vs Sentraal 1st XV 28-24
1st XV vs Voortrekker Bethlehem 35-17
Maritzburg College left wing Josh Munn, son of Wayne, made his 1st XV debut in the Red Black and White premier team’s opening match in Bloem.
Day 2
1st XV vs Diamandveld 26-8
2nd XV vs HTS Louis Botha 29-14
U16 vs Noord Kaap 43-17
U15 vs Noord Kaap 17-16
U14 vs Noord Kaap 48-7
The Maritzburg College 1st XV jerseys ready and waiting as the team puts in final prep before kick-off.
Day 3
1st XV vs Duineveld 24-5
2nd XV vs Fichardtpark 1st XV 31-24
U16 vs Fichardtpark 28-17
U15 vs Grey College 14-17
U14 vs Fichardtpark 66-5
Information sourced from Maritzburg College social media.
#RedBlackWhite
#GoCollege
And an encouraging resumption of my KZN10.com website and social media, as school sport returns – albeit without spectators – and Halfway Toyota Howick puts its support into assisting in keeping me alive. I urge you to join Brandon Brokensha and his outstanding Toyota dealership in backing me financially. I cannot do this alone. Contact me at joncookroy@gmail.com