Mixed weekend for Kearsney
CRICKET
Kearsney 1st X1 beat Maritzburg College 1stXI by 3 runs.
Kearsney lost the toss and batted on a track that promised to be lively after much rain at Botha’s Hill in the week. Keegan Foss (72) and Ryan Wallace (79) batted very well to contribute significantly to Kearsney's 239/8. Zuma (3/55) bowled well for College.
College started positively and put Wallace under pressure, but Ross Koekemoer's brilliant 1/19 in 10 overs put the brakes on the College effort. Zanone (48) and Walsh (66) almost got the College ship home, but inspired fielding from the Kearsney side saw both run out.
With College needing a four off the last ball, Wallace bowled a dot ball and College fell three runs short of the target (236/8). This was an excellent match played in the true spirit of the game, showcasing the talents of two great cricketing schools.
The day proved to be one of Kearsney’s most successful against Maritzburg College, with all the A sides recording good victories - an excellent achievement against a traditionally strong cricketing school.
BASKETBALL
Kearsney 45 – Maritzburg College 84
In what was always going to be a tough game after the elation of the previous week’s basketball match, Kearsney hosted College. The game started out well with the hosts drawing first blood, but College fought back and with some quick transition baskets and accurate shooting managed to be up by five points at the end of the quarter.
College stepped up a gear in the second quarter and while Kearsney took open shots they were not able to put them in the basket. While on the other end of the floor, College could not miss. The quarter ended with College up by 23 points.
The Kearsney team continued fighting hard, but could not claw their way back and the third quarter was drawn with both teams scoring 14 points.
Kearsney were fouled out early in the fourth quarter, and with that any hope of mounting a comeback was shattered. College again accelerated their scoring while Kearsney failed to make crucial baskets, eventually losing the game 45–84. In the end, the better team on the day won and this College team has set the bar as the team to beat in the province.
CANOEING
Kearsney’s canoeing team participated in the final inter-schools event at Camp's Drift and for the first time in the school’s canoeing history podiumed in all three age groups. Kearsney finished third overall for the 2013 season.
The U14 team comprising Robert McConnell, Lee Sandy, Matthew Pitcher and Dylan Smith, won the U14 section ahead of Michaelhouse and College. The U16A team which was made up of U15 paddlers Nicholas Hudson, Gavin Keeley, Timothy Marsh and Stuart McCleave, finished third in the U16 section. Kearsney’s U18 team of Rory McNeill, Joss Cahi, Stuart Patterson and Brendan Cooper finished third overall.
Steve Main, master in charge of canoeing, said he was delighted with the boys' well-deserved achievements.
Photo: Kearsney canoeists Gavin Keeley and Stuart McClea in action for their school.
- Sue Miles
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre