WESTVILLE HIGH
Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week Umpires named
It gives KZN10.com great pleasure to reveal the names of the umpires who will officiate in the 59th edition of the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week, so splendidly hosted as always by Maritzburg College.
The four days of cricket, starting Saturday 29 September to Tuesday 2 October sees a remarkable 22 top-tier cricket schools from across the country field their first XI’s in a mammoth 44 matches in and around the KZN capital and further afield at picturesque Eston Country Club and Richmond Country Club.
Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week & Hill Premium Quality Cricket Balls go hand in glove. Maritzburg College Old Boy Stuart Hill (082 752 1494) will tell you why.
Featured image: Umpires Craig Macauley and Sibonelo ‘Sibs’ Mashimane will be busy men on Goldstones and elsewhere during the four days of Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week. Photo Jono Cook
Without these guys, who are more than willing to give of their time and knowledge over four gruelling days of arguably the most intense schoolboy cricket in the country, there simply would be no matches, no cricket week, no nothing.
The Pietermaritzburg-based John Carstens is one of the highly regarded umpires who will officiate at the 59th annual Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week hosted by Maritzburg College.
That said, it is remarkable how many of these steadfast cricket men are, to maul a metaphor, “repeat offenders”.
Umpire Pius Nkosi is back for his umpteenth Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week. Photo Jono Cook
Indeed many of these good men in the trademark black pants, white shirts and hats hail the Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week (OMCW) as their cricketing highlight of the year.
Hence the repeat offenders, many of whom have officiated at Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Weeks into double figures now.
Kershan Moodley is one of the many Durban-based umpires who relish the annual pilgrimage to Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week. Photo Jono Cook
One of the stalwarts of OMCW is umpires’ co-ordinator Mike Wolstenholme.
Umpires gathered last year at the 58th OMCW Dinner in the iconic Victoria Hall, and sponsored once again by caterer supreme Heather Lawson of Granny Macs. Mike Wolstenholme is back row, fourth from the left. Photo Jono Cook
Thanks Mike for sharing the Team Umpire list.
OMCW TEAM UMPIRE 2018
| Andrew Ngubane |
| Cameron Boock |
| Chris Govender |
| Chris Ndlovu |
| Craig Macauley |
| Daryl Govender |
| Jayden Knipe |
| John Carstens |
| Kershan Moodley |
| Matt Ducasse |
| Muhammad Jooma |
| Mike Wolstenholme |
| Pete Osborn |
| Pius Nkosi |
| Saxon Colling |
| Sibonga Shabangu |
| Sibonelo Mashimane |
| Siyabonga Mjojo |
| Stenly Mpofu |
| Yameen Godil |
| Tyler Trenowerth |
| Vaughan Meyer |
Attention, all ye good umpires: Hilliar & Gray offer in-depth assessments that include eye focusing, eye tracking, visual perception and visual processing speed. Look no further.
Why the KZN10 schools are getting it right
The success to date of Hilton College’s grade 11 triple first XI sportsman Suubi Mugerwa-Sekawabe is a combination; a three-pronged structure – raw talent, parental support and the school coaches’ guidance.
A PROUD HISTORY AND TRADITION: First XV front-ranker Henty Beukes enters Graeme Gilfillan Field ahead of the 200th Hilton Michaelhouse match.
Given Suubi’s sports career, I am surmising that raw talent is the base; and more than that, his achievement so far is the consequence of his Hilton College first XI coaches Celo Mbanjwa (football), Devon van der Merwe (hockey) and Dale Benkenstein (cricket) instilling in Suubi the more important values that indicate success is more about preparation than raw talent.
Featured image: SHARING A MOMENT – The St Charles College boys express themselves on Meadows during the first XV rugby match on 28 April 2018.
It is also a consequence of the support given Suubi in preceding years. It is no accident that Suubi has achieved success in all walks of life.
BROTHERS FOR LIFE: Clifton College first XV boys standing together, one for the other.
National recognition and regional/provincial recognition – be it academic, cultural, sporting – is the culmination of a step-by-step learning process that takes much time, blood, plenty of sweat – and yes, frustration and disappointment when a desired outcome is denied.
And it is not for all to achieve the heights, but it is for all to be the very best they can possibly be, given the talents they have. And here again I feel that my chosen KZN10 schools are on the right path – endeavouring as best they can to make each boy aware that there is an avenue for his “special power”; that his particular gift will be acknowledged, valued and nurtured.
More than just winning it, it’s about LIVING IT: Kearsney College 1st’s Dane Mertsch… living and loving every moment.
Photo TRACEY VAN DEN AARDWEG
Please note: Suubi and Hilton College is an example. There are numerous other examples amongst all the K10 schools, as evidenced in the links below. There are some schools not included in the links that the same evidence will be painted in the weeks and months to come.
Some random examples: Celimpilo Gumede the DHS first XV captain, SA Schools (2nd year) and SA Sevens rugby forward; Sibusiso Sangweni, Kearsney College rugby captain and SA Schools loose forward; schoolmate Guy Morgan, firsts hockey captain, KZN Coastal A national title-winning captain and SA Hockey Fives team member.
The thing is, first and foremost these fine young men are primarily at school for academics and I have tried my best – until they get a gap – to let them get on with it, rather than infringe on their study time and numerous other commitments.
Please note further: Winning is by no means everything at school level, yet a general rule can be applied – boys and teams that are encouraged to extend themselves in a structured, skill-by-skill progression, will win most matches and individual events.
IT’S FAR MORE THAN JUST A JOB: Glenwood first XV head coach Derek Heiberg and peers take the time to understand and counsel each player in their care.
And, thank goodness in most respects: No one educational institution or boy is perfect – that’s what makes the process so satisfying in the long term; there is always scope for learning and for the betterment of the here and now.
So, yes, Suubi had already shown the raw material and the desire at a young age, the sporting goods, to stand out, but as we have seen with many outstanding schoolboy sportsmen – some who have achieved post-school and others not – that in-born, innate ability is not enough.
As a sports journalist of 23 years’ standing who has a long-standing, abiding interest in schoolboy sport and its participants: What I see at Hilton College and other members of my chosen KZN10 schools is much more than just having talented boys; it’s a determination by their coaches and schoolteachers to foster a policy of encouraging, motivating the boys in a continuous search to further develop their innate talent.
SEEING BEYOND THE WHITES LINES: Northwood first team coach Shaun Baker and his KZN10 peers know that hockey’s educational value extends much further than the confines of an Astro.
The positive side of the coin is this: If the coach doesn’t enable the boy – when the boy has mastered the nuts and bolts of a particular skill set – to keep exploring, in a structured manner, the upper reaches of his talent base, a plateau is reached, a plateau where raw talent alone is not enough. The development – and the process of achievement flatlines.
And, ultimately, what could have been is never fulfilled. Therein lies the reality. The best coaches and schoolteachers tell the truth, improve the boys’ ability to communicate, instil the process that success requires in any field of endeavour.
SHARING A TEAM-MATE’S SPECIAL MOMENT: Members of the Westville first XV.
The sports field is a metaphor for life in its broadest terms; it is a theatre of the real world and the lessons that simply must be learned if success is to follow – the time to put one’s hand up, to stand alone, the time to suppress self-interest in pursuit of a greater cause, the time to put others first, the learning that there are no short-cuts, the growing appreciation and recognition that everything worthwhile is to be earned, not given.
Coaches who are adept at enabling their team and individual players to embrace and love getting past the comfort zone of current success through a constant, step by step, process by process, exploration of skills development and optimal performance will benefit all parties in the long run – and most important of all – will provide lasting benefit to each boy.
THE SHARED EMOTION of success that has at its genesis countless hours’ training when few are even aware you are.
* At its core: encouraging a joy for the little things – a the smell freshly cut sports field, the intoxicating aroma of a brand new leather cricket ball, a deep love of the sport itself, not the outcome of a contest, the deep satisfaction of sharing, by unselfish deeds, in the collective that is team.
* I am not predicting anything for Suubi or the young men mentioned here – there are many other variables, such as opting for a study focus post-school in which time constraints preclude the rigours of serious sport – but what I am saying is that Hilton College and my chosen KZN10 schools are doing their utmost to lay the best-possible foundation – a present and future life path that goes way beyond the school boundaries.
And perhaps most important of all – it is the social interaction of boys from all walks of life – the recognition that there is a common bond – if we care enough to find it.
WHERE FRIENDS ARE MADE: Every KZN10 Old Boy will tell you that where once there were rivals now there are friends – mutual respect borne of a common interest and a shared battle.
The links
Time spent together. https://www.fordoun.com/special-offers/
DHS vs Maritzburg College 1st XV epics… 1987-1989… Ivy’s memories
Trust comes from knowing that Jens is on your team – trust me: 082 576 2406.
Glenwood first XV – The process that leads to the performance
Only the very best see beyond the obvious. http://www.hilliarandgray.co.za/services/comprehensive-eye-exams/
Westville Boys’ Head of School Matthew Pollard reflects on the year
Communication. The key to understanding. Go beyond the mixed messages. Lucienne (065 301 3095) is waiting to connect your way.
Hill Premium Quality Cricket Balls will never let you down. Maritzburg College Old Boy and cricketer Stuart Hill (082 752 1494) will tell you why.
Westville Boys’ Head of School Matthew Pollard reflects on the year
The KZN10 head boys are winding up their year as leaders of the 2018 student body so it’s an opportune time to ask them 3 quick questions – what they have learnt about leadership, what was a year highlight, and what advice would they give to the 2019 head boy:
Here’s Westville Boys’ High School’s Head of School, Matthew Pollard:
KZN10.com: Hi Matthew, what are your thoughts on the questions I have posed to you?
Hi Mr Cook
Thank you for the questions.
1. One thing I have taken away from this year is that you are nothing without your team.
Matthew Pollard is an outstanding cricketer in the Westville first XI. Using his height to advantage, he possesses the ability to get the ball to rise sharply off a good length at considerable pace and has an excellent bouncer. As a batsman his stride enables Matthew to turn good-length deliveries into half-volleys.
I’ve been privileged to have the support throughout the year of not only my deputies but also the entire leadership body. Each and every leader at WBHS has put their everything into the school and I could not have done it without them.
2. As far as my highlight of the year? Without a doubt our Old Boys Day vs Maritzburg College.
It was a tough season for our 1st XV, suffering numerous injuries. We were playing with a depleted side but one thing that Westville kept throughout the season was heart and passion.
Passion to be the best. http://titantech.co.za/ for the best advice.
We had a good build-up through the week and by the time Saturday came, we were ready. Not only the way we played, but the heart and passion put into our war cries was immense. A really proud moment for me.
The spot in the Westville changeroom on Bowdens reserved for first XI cricketer Matthew Pollard.
Credit must also go to our Old Boys for contributing to the buzz by showing they still have the passion for the Griffin and joining in for a few war cries.
3. Advice I would give to the incoming Head of School? Make the most of it. Time truly does fly by and before you know it, Mr Cook will be asking you to answer some questions for him and give some feedback on the 2019 year!
Clarity leads to confidence in your actions.
It is also very important to remain humble and believe in yourself. People may not always agree with you, but as long as you are doing what you feel is right, you will succeed.
Regards
Matthew Pollard
* Well said, Matthew. There are so many life lessons in what you have said. I wish you everything of the best. See you at Oppenheimer Michaelmas Cricket Week.
The best way to de-stress in September and October. https://www.fordoun.com/special-offers/
Outstanding communication is the hallmark of leaders in their field..
Contact your KZN expert Lucienne at 065 301 3095 to connect your way.
Remember when… The 2007 KZN10 hockey season in review
I’ve thrown in a number of bits and pieces from my memories of that year.
Featured image: 2007 Kearsney College captain & SA Schools defender Greg Last who went on to represent SA and play for numerous seasons in KZN Raiders title-winning teams and in Europe for his Belgian club.
Maritzburg College were the top-rated KZN team, having played 17 games won 14 lost 3.
Living Legend: Mike Bechet… an incredible record as a schoolboy hockey coach in SA.
Next up with 15 goals were the penalty corner drag-flick guided missiles of the exceptionally strong powerfully-built left ⬅ half Tyron Mingard who wasn’t the sort of guy a striker looked forward to playing against.
Nine Maritzburg College first team players represented KZN Midlands at the Interprovincial Nationals in Port Elizabeth.
The Willowton, Pietermaritzburg based Greenfields team are now the biggest players in the synthetic sports turf market with prominent names in the SA hockey fraternity such as the legend that is Tommy Hammond among the staff led by former outstanding player and current international umpire Ayden Shrives.
Thomas More College had their first player selected for SA Schools – current Kearsney College first team head coach Sihle Ntuli.
In 2007 the current Kearsney College head coach Sihle Sigz Ntuli became the first (and only) Thomas More College boy to be selected for SA Schools.
* Astonishing when one looks at it now, Clifton College – one of the top teams in SA this year – were a second-tier hockey school in 2007. Clifton’s rapid hockey progress is one of the most remarkable KZN10 success stories.
Shedders’ holiday High Performance cricket camps a game-changer
ANDREW Shedlock has taken the art of cricket coaching to the next level. Two High Performance Shedders Cricket Academy camps, to be held in Durban North from 25 to 28 June and 9 to 12 July could be the turning point in KZN schoolboy cricketers’ lives. Critically, in my opinion, each camp is limited to a maximum 20 boys.
If I was age 13 to 17 again this would have been the catalyst in turning a (so-I’m-still-told) talented top-order batsman with a sound technique (thanks to Digby Rhodes, Vince van der Bijl and others) into a far better batter.
Although I captained the Maritzburg College first XI and made some runs, as a perfectionist I found myself so frustrated with the technical and mental aspects of surely – next to golf – one of the most complex ball sports around. The frustration at knowing I was not making any progress in taking my game to the next level resulted in (later much-regretted) giving up the game a couple of years post-school.
Enough of that. Coming across the Shedders ad, the first instinct was to have a look, as Andrew Shedlock and I go back 42 years, as opponents and friends. So what has Shedders got on the menu, I thought. Well, it blew me away.
Shedders, a University of Stellenbosch sports science graduate and internationally respected coach and cricket-specific fitness and conditioning consultant with the CV to prove it, has in my opinion nailed down the key to cricket success.
Featured image: Shedders has worked with legends of the game. Here’s Shedders with Sri Lanka cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara, the elegant left-hander and wicketkeeper who scored a total of 28 000 runs for his country across all formats and retired with a Test average of 57.40. Shedders’ direct contact with some of the world’s best cricketers has been of enormous practical benefit to his coaching skill set.
Apart from comprehensive batting and bowling sessions with top-class professional coaches that on its own will establish a solid platform for the upcoming cricket season (starting as early as the third term in KZN), Shedders has also teamed up with Durban North-based optometrist Glen Nugent and sports fitness and talent identification educationist eta College in offering a three-pronged approach to his camps.
I phoned him, wanting to know more.
“Thanks Jono, always good to chat. I’ll never forget that U13A game on Leeches at Maritzburg College when you were College skipper and I was DHS captain. Great memories.”
A deep thinker on the game, Shedders is constantly looking for the edge that turns “good enough” into best. The research and success-in-practice of Shedders’ internationally-acclaimed fellow University of Stellenbosch sports science graduate Dr Sherylle Calder’s EyeGym programme inspired one section of the three-pronged content of the upcoming camps. Dr Calder pinpointed Visual Intelligence training as a key tool in making a better player.
Shedders says, “a batsman’s ability in making the transition from seeing the ball to immediately processing that split-second information into employing the correct cricket stroke can make or break an innings. This is just one aspect of transferring vision into decision.”
“Sherylle worked with the 2003 World Cup-winning Australian cricket side, as well as David Miller in enhancing performance and clearly Dave and the Aussies reaped the rewards, as did the England (2003) and Springbok (2007) Rugby World Cup-winning players.”
Known for his get-in-the-trenches work ethic, one of the Andrew ‘Shedders’ Shedlock mottoes is: “Cricket is a verb not a noun so get training!”
“I’ve identified the much-talked-about but little understood hand-eye co-ordination aspect as one of the keys to unlocking the mysteries behind why talented KZN high school cricketers struggle to deliver consistent performances. I constantly hear things like ‘you can’t teach it, you’ve either got it or you haven’t’, and ‘he’s naturally gifted’. My response? A cricketer as gifted as David Miller benefited from visual intelligence training, Dave saying that it provided him with the extra edge to perform at a high level. Every cricketer, be it a batsman, bowler, wicketkeeper or fielder, constantly searches for consistency. That’s why I see this aspect as a vital function of the camps.”
To this end, the Shedders cricket camps’ optometrist, Glen Nugent, will conduct an eye and vision assessment for each player and provide the boys with follow-up cricket-specific exercises and drills to work on.
Fitness is another key indicator of success or failure. The ability to concentrate without distraction in turning a quality 50 into a match-winning hundred… or converting a useful 3-fer into a match-deciding fifer can, in my opinion, be best-judged by whether a schoolboy has the mental and physical stamina to maintain best-practice and accuracy whatever the outside influences and circumstances may be.
Shedders says this is where eta (exercise training academy) step into the camp package: “eta will conduct fitness testing services to assess current athletic abilities and to identify physical attributes and areas in need of improvement. Baseline fitness testing allows for the setting of goals and testing at regular intervals. It helps track a cricketer’s progress towards those goals.”
The fitness assessments/tests to be completed will include:
* Functional Movement Screening
* Body Composition Assessments
* Flexibility Assessments
*Agility Assessments
* Power and Speed Assessments
* Balance and Hand/Eye Co-ordination Assessments
* Power and Speed Assessments
* Cardio-respiratory Assessments
* Muscle Strength/Endurance Assessments
*Nutritional/Dietary Assessments
Clearly there is not going to be much idle time for the camps’ young cricketers. No doubt there wasn’t much idle time for a just-out-of-school Hashim Amla when Shedders was head coach of the Dolphins Cricket Academy. Hashim Amla is quoted as saying that Shedders is a coach who had a positive influence on his cricket career.
To sum up: I’ve seen Shedders in action – no “only-observe-from-the-sidelines” coach, he’s not afraid to get in the trenches. Ask Jonty Rhodes and Lance Klusener, to whom Shedders must have each pitched a thousand-plus throw-downs during his time with the Dolphins.
Shedders has the sports science background, world-level sports-playing (he’s also a former Springbok water polo player) and international cricket title-winning experience to appreciate what it takes to succeed.
Shedders is the kind of guy I’d go to war with. He’s a leader who is never afraid to push the boundaries harder and further in every sphere of cricket excellence.
My only regret about Shedders? His June/July cricket camps weren’t around when Jono Cook the aspirant teenage cricketer needed them. After a good first term, I had a shocking fourth term.
I’m convinced it would’ve been different if Shedders’ camps had been around in my time.
Unlike me, today’s KZN high school cricketers have got that opportunity.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
LIMITED TO 20 BOYS PER CAMP
Camp 1
Mon 25th to Thurs 28th June
Camp 2
Mon 9th to Thurs 12th July
Ages: 13 to 17
Time: 2pm to 4.30pm daily
Venue: Shedders Cricket Academy Durban North
Contact Shedders at 083 791 7646
or shedders@worldonline.co.za
Westville Old Boys treated to 15 hockey matches vs Maritzburg College
FIVE of the 15 hockey matches between hosts Westville and Maritzburg College on Westville Old Boys’ Day, Saturday 9 June 2018 were decided by one goal while two ended in draws. First team – Westville won 2-1; U16A 1-1; and U14A Maritzburg College won 3-0. Overall results: Westville won 4 Maritzburg College won 9 and 2 draws.
The fixtures concluded the Westville season. Maritzburg College won 9 of the matches for a 60% win rate with Westville winning 4. The overall goal tally reflected that Westville scored 14 in the 15 matches with College netting 31… The figures equate to an average 1 goal a game for Westville and 2 per match for College.
Featured image: Westville first hockey team 2018
Photo by Keiya Davies
The Open age group saw Westville 1sts and 3rds the victors with College 2nds and 4ths emerging as the winners in their matches.
The U16 age group reflected that Westville won 2 matches (C’s and F’s), College 3 (B’s, D’s and E’s) and 1 draw (A’s).
The U14 age group saw Maritzburg College win 4 of the 5 matches against Westville. The Red Black and White won A’s B’s, C’s and D’s while the E’s match ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
The first team match sounds like it was an absolute humdinger, in keeping with recent times. As Ann Davidson says, “What a great game to finish the Westville season.”
RESULTS – WESTVILLE vs MARITZBURG COLLEGE
Westville scores first
Open
1sts 2-1
2nd 1-2
3rd 3-1
4th 0-2
U16
16A 1-1
16B 0-4
16C 3-2
16D 0-4
16E 1-5
16F 1-0
U14
14A 0-3
14B 2-3
14C 0-2
14D 0-1
14E 0-0
Westville vs Maritzburg College rugby wrap
WESTVILLE rounded off the school’s 2018 rugby season on Saturday, 9 June at their Wandsbeck Road, Bowdens, Citadel*. It was Westville Old Boys Day, the visitors Maritzburg College.
Westville first XV won 35-27
Overall rugby results
Westville won 8
Maritzburg College won 12
Picking some of the Westville notables
The first team’s 35-27 win; U16A’s becoming the first side to beat Maritzburg College 16A’s this season (32-22); Westville U15B’s and C’s wins; plus 4 of their five U14 teams taking the spoils.
Photos by Keiya Davies… As Rose Henshaw says, “Awesome photos Keiya!“
Picking some of the Maritzburg College notables
Victories in 4 of the five U19 matches; 3 of the four U16 matches; and 3 of the five U15 matches; plus the emphatic U14A win.
Reflecting on the age-group first-tier results it was 2 wins apiece
Westville won 1sts and 16A’s with College winning 15A’s and U14A’s.
Overall points scored in the 19 matches
Westville 285 (average 15 points per game)
Maritzburg College 565 (average 30 points per game)
RUGBY RESULTS
Westville scores first
U19
1st XV 35-27
2nds 17-28
3rds 12-55
4ths 0-36
5ths 5-42
6ths 0-47
U16
16A 32-22
16B 17-22
16C 0-34
16D 0-36
U15
15A 15-24
15B 7-0
15C 13-12
15D 5-43
15E 17-40
U14
14A 14-48
14B 14-12
14C 17-15
14D 26-7
14E 39-15
* No need to Google – “Citadel” dit beteken “Fortress” – did the Google myself just in case my brainbox was playing tricks on me.
Mucha Match Action ahead in KZN10 Fri Nite Super Saturday Fixtures
MIGHT be Comrades weekend but there’s still much to savour in KZN10 rugga/hockey match action across the golden province & on the Highveld. Prince and the Saints entertain Hilton College on Old Orchards, Maritzburg College are Highway-bound to Westville (Old Boys Day) on Bowdens, Clifton College make the climb to Michaelhouse on Meadows and Kearsney College trek to St Benedicts & Jeppe. It’s a free weekend for Glenwood and DHS while the Knights of Durban North have concluded their rugby and hockey seasons.
TRY-TIME… Maritzburg College’s elusive centre Nkondlo Radebe in full flight on Meadows last Saturday.
Photo Martin Ashworth
SELECTED FIXTURES
@ St Charles (vs Hilton)
Saturday
1sts Hockey – 11h15 (Saints Astro)
1st XV Rugby – 13h45 (Old Orchards)
@ Michaelhouse (vs Clifton)
Saturday
1sts Hockey – 11h45 (Aitkens Astro)
1st XV Rugby – 14h00 (Meadows)
@ Westville (vs Maritzburg College)
1sts Hockey – 11h45 (WBHS Astro)
1st XV Rugby – 14h30 (Bowdens)
@ St Benedicts & Jeppe (vs Kearsney)
Friday
1sts Hockey (vs St Benedicts) – 18h30
Saturday
1sts Hockey (vs Jeppe) – 10h45
1st XV Rugby (vs St Benedicts) – 10h30
71-pointer: Kearsney edge Westville
THERE were just 5 points to separate the Kearsney and Westville 1st XV rugby sides in a real crowd-pleaser at Botha’s Hill on Saturday 5 May 2018.
A total of 10 tries were scored in the match – each team bagging 5.
A backline move from out left that did the justice to time spent in training sessions resulted in Kearsney fullback Robbie Koenig getting the first touchdown, which scrumhalf Taine Muirhead duly converted (7-0).
Westville flyhalf Kyle Forsyth eliminated the challenge of two tacklers to get the visitors on the board and the conversion made it all-square at 7-7. Then a Kearsney error when in possession saw Habana Mkwanazi take full advantage for Westville to go in front 12-7.
It was a neat piece of footballing skill by the winger in steering the ball down the line before diving on it a split second ahead of the try-zone running out of real estate.
Kearsney worked their way back into the lead shortly after when hooker Taine Polzi breached the whitewash, Muirhead adding 2 for the 14-12 margin that reflected the half-time score.
Muirhead knocked over a penalty goal to get the scoreboard ticking in the second half before the Botha’s Hill-based side’s favourable field position paid off with interest. Kearsney needed 15 metres’ progress in search of a 5-pointer. Derick Marshall received a switch pass from flyhalf Jacques Odendaal – acceleration and power enabling the inside centre to cross the tryline. At 24-12, Muirhead’s conversion opened up a 12-point gap for Kearsney over their Highway rivals.
Westville cut it down to an encouraging 5 points for their supporters when winger Mkwanazi was again on hand to profit from Kearsney mishaps. Yet once again Kearsney had the facility to respond to a setback in positive fashion – pivot Odendaal making the most from a left-hand scrum to carve a niche through the Westville defence. The consistent Muirhead added the extras and Kearsney were the beneficiaries of a 12-point winning margin for the second time in this pulsating muscle-up.
An effective Westville catch-and-drive lineout culminated in a penalty try being awarded following a Kearsney infringement and the 12-point gap had again been whittled down to 5.
With Kearsney now just an edgy 31-26 ahead, Stott’s Field again bore witness to the home side’s quick response to a setback and it was number 8 and captain Sibu Sangweni who benefited from pressure and physicality to collect a loose-ruck ball that heralded trytime. Muirhead made no mistake with the conversion and at 38-26 Kearsney were 12 points better off for the third time.
Photo @ top of story: The energy engine – Kearsney College number 8 and captain Sibu Sangweni led from the front in the 10-try thriller against Westville.
Photo credit: TRACEY VAN DEN AARDWEG
This entertaining affair came to a close when Westville were awarded another penalty try after a player chasing a chip kick was tackled in the air 10 metres out, leaving the final score in this entertaining match reading Kearsney College 38 and Westville 33.
Kearsney team
15 Robbie Koenig
14 Christo Scheepers
13 Cameron Dudley
12 Derick Marshall
11 Gcina Gumede
10 Jacques Odendaal
9 Taine Muirhead
8 Sibu Sangweni (capt)
7 Dylan Bissett
6 Aidan Bossert
5 Nic Baines
4 Jordan Morum
3 Oliver Carmody
2 Taine Polzi
1 Mpendulo Dlamini
Subs
16 Pernel Ngubo
17 Connor Griffiths
18 Bradley Taylor
19 Dean Burrell
20 Marco Mattioda
21 Mark Pretorius
22 Robert Pringle
23 Rory Bloy
Coach: Barend Steyn
* I hope to get the Westville team soon.
RESULTS
(Kearsney scores first)
1st XV 38-33
2nds 10-11
3rds 27-14
4ths 20-19
5ths 39-7
6ths 39-12
7ths 15-10
16A 17-21
16B 3-22
16C 0-46
16D 18-12
15A 3-3
15B 0-31
15C 5-21
15D 10-26
14A 24-19
14B 12-26
14C 0-52
Overall: Kearsney won 8 and Westville won 9 with 1 drawn.
A taste of things to come
Photo Jono Cook : Maritzburg College first XV rugby captain Ntuthuko Mchunu and backline player Nkondlo Radebe.
Edited extract of an informative report off the Glenwood FB page by Beet on the KZN pre-season schoolboy 1st XV rugby 🏉 warm-up mini matches at King’s Park Saturday.
“These were just warm-ups to aid the players’ and coaches’ prep,” said Beet.
Westville 5 Glenwood 5
“I thought Glenwood were fantastic in this match.
“They fielded a 2nd team and the players played out of their skins. They were hungry and created an even contest against Westville.
“Westville scored a lovely try. Flank Dylan Jung had a decisive carry and fed it to big Okkie Barnard who was wearing the no.8 jersey.
“This gave them serious front-foot ball and flyhalf Kyle Forsyth came up with a class chip to the corner which wing Grove Akker did not waste.
“From the kick-off Westville failed to control and Glenwood pounced. The ball was hacked ahead and a loose forward won the race to re-gather and dotted down to level matters.”
Maritzburg College 0 DHS 0
“Surprisingly this game failed to produce a score.
“DHS still have strike players. If everybody does their job by putting in the hard yards, these go-to players can make a difference.
“The top-rated Horsefly Celimpilo Gumede did not play because he was with the SA U18 Sevens team, so that tells you something about the 1,9 metre young man’s mobility and skill-set.
“DHS have a decent front-row. Celimpilo’s brother Mthokozisi Gumede is a useful all-round player and showed it with a good carry during this game.
“Marcel Nel is really big now and Donovan Adams is a livewire hooker with a lot of heart. Asande Mnguni definitely had his moments last season. He can be lethal as ball runner and is a turnover specialist.
“In the backs, flyhalf Shakur la Douce has a big boot and KZN Craven Week centre Lwandile Menze, who was so destructive as a big metres-gaining 12 last year is back, but playing 13 now.
“There are also useful backs in versatile Lwazi Moletshe and determined Malusi Ntuli.
“The Maritzburg College pack could be developed into a major asset this season if they get the self-belief system to the level it needs to be.
“Props Ethan Hodgson and Sphekahle Dube are a part of the reason why impressive no.8 Nthuthuko Mchunu has been so effective off the back of the scrum.
“The Maritzburg College captain has been ticking all the right boxes and is arguably the best individual player in KZN pre-season.
“For Maritzburg College to do well this season all they need is a few others to close the gap on Mchunu and they will be a handful to deal with.
“Maritzburg College may be a bit short on X-factor players this year.
“The College backline still need a lot of work on attack and the coaching staff are going to have to work extra hard on this aspect of play to make them more effective.
Westville 10 College 7
“Maritzburg College didn’t bring a big squad to King’s Park and had to stay on the field for a second successive game so it was interesting to see if this continuity helped or hurt them and how the fewer subs would impact on their day.
“They subbed who they could and struck first blood. MC fullback Matthew Willemse had scored an absolute gem of a solo try against Westville at the Vories Night Series a week earlier and continued to haunt them when his chip-and-chase down the middle had the Westville fullback in a spot of bother and forced a turnover via a scrum.
“A free-kick and quick tap followed and with the ball spun wide it finally resulted in no.18 scoring a try, which Keegan Collyer then turned into 7 with a good kick.
“With consistency, Willemse is the kind of player College could build attacking plays around.
“Westville fullback Nqubeko Mkwanazi looks like he is going to pick up from where he left off last season, as a create-something-out-of-nothing player.
“Mkwanazi played a big part in Westville’s first try thanks to a good run. The try-scorer was scrumhalf Stanley Giani. After that, Mkwanazi combined with wing Akker.
“Akker stabbed the ball ahead and dived on it in-goal to push Westville into a 10-7 lead, which could have increased when the no.11 wing came close.
“Then at the death College were denied what would have been a wonderful try.
“Mchunu had one of his now trademark carries. After he was stopped in the 22 the ball was recycled and what looked like a brilliant skip pass by a front-rower out to the left and into the breadbasket of unmarked wing Siphesihle Kekana was judged to be forward by the assistant referee.
Glenwood 3 DHS 3
“DHS showed lots of commitment to hold off a strong Glenwood team.
“Glenwood seem to bring out the best in DHS. Glenwood looked like they were about to get going on several plays but never really got out of the low gears.
“The most interesting of the positional set-ups was that Joe Poen Jonas played fullback. Rynhardt Jonker and La Douce traded penalties.”
DHS 14 Westville 0
“A quick tap-and-go penalty taken by DHS flank Mnguni caught Westville unawares.
“He then drew and passed to scrumhalf Jaydian Cedares, who turned out to be a bit of a pocket rocket. He jet-shoed his way to the tryline from about 40m out.
“The little scrummy wearing 21 also had a part in School’s second try. His box kick was well placed and forced pressure near the touchline in Westville territory.
“DHS then worked the ball well and, aided by some soft hands, no.11 (Moletshe) got in for the try. Both tries were converted by La Douce.
“Westville were not outplayed by any means but just couldn’t come up with any plays to breach the DHS defence.
Sadly, Mkwanazi picked up an injury during this match. Hopefully it’s not serious.”
Glenwood 7 College 0
“The Maritzburg College pack started to get the hang of things during this match and with more effort like that they stand a good chance to dominate others in KZN.
“From a College lineout gone wrong Glenwood sprung into action and gave a taste of the firepower they are capable of producing.
“Centre Jason Conradie did very well and a useful pass by a wing to the flying, powerfully-built centre Conan le Fleur saw him race in. Jaden Hendrikse the scrumhalf succeeded with the difficult conversion.
“Hendrikse also impressed with the hang time on his big base kicks.”
* Thanks Beet and the Glenwood Facebook page for the info.