19 May 2023
Michaelhouse continues to flex its squash muscles, with a recent 7-2 win over a good Kearsney College team demonstrating the school’s standing as number one in KZN. Led by Jacob Sinclair, the Balgowan boys have also excelled in individual competition.
Sinclair, who is the number one ranked under-19 player in the province, recently competed in the men’s section of the Midlands Closed Squash Tournament and finished in sixth position. That fact, however, does not do justice to the high standard of his performances.
Outstanding
Seeded 8th, he comfortably dispatched 9th-seed, Andrew Duncan, in his opening match, winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-4. Top-seed Justin Gouweloos, then, stopped the Michaelhouse number one, winning 11-7, 11-6, 11-4.
The next time out, though, Sinclair upset 4th-seed, Jason Cooper, pulling off a superb 11-13, 11-5, 11-8, 11-5 victory. In his final match, against 6th-seed, Steve Darch, the result could have gone either way, with Darch sneaking a narrow victory in an extremely tightly contested clash by an 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-13, 12-10 margin.
In the end, the winner was Alan McGuigan, the Master in Charge of Squash at Maritzburg College. He defeated Mick Gouweloos in the final, winning 6-11, 3-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7.
Top Trials performers
Meanwhile, Michaelhouse’s strength and depth was on show at the KZN Final Trials, played in Pietermaritzburg and Westville. In Sinclair’s absence, Nathan Hoatson finished first in the under-19 section, while Ben Harper placed fifth.
There was a further win for ‘House in the under-16 section, where Justin Higginson took the honours. Sumeshin Naidoo, 10th, and Connor Hatfield, 11th, also performed admirably.
The only section not won by a Michaelhouse boy was the under-14 age group, but Callum Fly was a top performer, nonetheless. He finished in fourth position.
KZN Closed successes
Earlier this year, ‘House shone in the KZN Closed Junior Squash Championships, with Jacob Sinclair winning the under-19 age group, Joshua Hoatson finishing second, and Nathan Hoatson fourth.
Justin Higginson won the under-16 section, and Callum Fly placed second in the under-14 age group.
Michaelhouse squash power on show at KZN Closed | Pinnacle Schools (pinnacle-schools.com)
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