20 January 2025
The Kearsney College1st XI hosted Michaelhouse on the AH Smith Oval on Saturday, and, after winning the toss, chose to bowl first. That paid immediate dividends.
In the first over, left-arm quick, Litha Gonya, had Ethan Muir caught by Asher Hollister. With Gonya and his tall new ball partner, Michael Groom, bowling well, they reduced the visitors to 33/4 in the eighth over.
However, useful contributions from Hayden Hewlett (32), Jean-Luc Rey (32), and Radhesh Jhilmet (16), enabled Michaelhouse to clamber their way back into the contest.
Their innings of 144/10 was built around two partnerships, 39 between Hewlett and Michael Blignaut, and 44 between Jhilmeet and Rey.
Litha Gonya starred for Kearsney, capturing an outstanding 5/36, while Bonga Mapanga lent good support, claiming 2/21.
Defending a middling total, Michaelhouse’s opening bowlers, Thandanani Zuma and Luke Mitchell, went hard at Kearsney. They broke through in the fifth over, when Zuma dismissed Jonty Wiggett, and from there ‘House got stuck in.
From 19/0 after 4.3 overs, Kearsney stumbled to 47/8 after 17.1. It appeared the game was all but done. Not so fast, though!
Matthew Gorie and Michael Groom halted the Michaelhouse onslaught, adding 56 for the ninth wicket from 93 balls before Gorrie was caught by Ethan Muir off the bowling of Mitchell for a patient 14 from 42 deliveries.
Three runs later, Litha Gonya was trapped in front by Thandanani Zuma and Kearsney was all out for 106, leaving Michaelhouse the winners by 38 runs.
Groom finished unbeaten on 39 from 68 balls, having struck four fours and two sixes.
Zuma led the ‘House attack every bit as well as Gonya had done for Kearsney, capturing 5/23 from 9.4 overs, while Mitchell played his part by knocking over 3/29 from 10. Jean-Luc Rey claimed 2/16 from seven.
Scores
Michaelhouse 144/10 (Hayden Hewlett 32, Jean-Luc Rey 32, Litha Gonya 5/36, Bonga Maphanga 2/21); Kearsney 106/10 (Matthew Gorie 39, Thandanani Zuma 5/24, Luke Mitchell 3/28, Jean-Luc Rey 2/18). Michaelhouse won by 38 runs.
RESULTS
2nd XI
Michaelhouse 247/5
Kearsney 25/2.
Match abandoned.
u16A
Michaelhouse 324/8
Kearsney 120/10
Michaelhouse won by 204 runs
u16B
Kearsney 49/10
Michaelhouse 50/5
Michaelhouse won by 5 wickets
u15A
Michaelhouse 131/10
Kearsney 134/8
Kearsney won by 2 wickets
u15B
Michaelhouse 194/6
Kearsney 103/7
Match abandoned
u15C
Kearsney 39/10
Michaelhouse 40/0
Michaelhouse won by 10 wickets
u14A
Michaelhouse 143/10
Kearsney 144/2
Kearsney won by 8 wickets
u14B
Michaelhouse 160/8
Kearsney 91/3
Match abandoned
u14C
Kearsney 98/10
Michaelhouse 78/10
Kearsney won by 20 runs
BASKETBALL
In an action-packed clash in The SportZone, the Kearsney College 1st team outlasted Michaelhouse 64-59 after leading 31-27 at the break.
It was a back-and-forth contest throughout. After the first quarter, Kearsney led by only one point, 18-17. They extended their advantage to four points at halftime, leading 31-27.
‘House pulled it back, trailing by just two points after the third quarter, 39-41. Then, in the fourth quarter, Michaelhouse edged ahead, leading 55-53 with only seconds remaining. Troy Vermeulen, though, sent the game into overtime with a timely basket.
In the extra period, the home side pulled five points clear to open their season with a victory.
Pabatso Sithole led Kearney’s scorers with 18 points, while Funi Kanyongolo excelled for Michaelhouse, scoring 26 points.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 64-59 Michaelhouse
2nd: Kearsney 13-23 Michaelhouse
3rd: Kearsney 20-43 Michaelhouse
4th: Kearsney 22-20 Michaelhouse
5th: Kearsney 15-17 Michaelhouse
6th: Kearsney 20-22 Michaelhouse
16A: Kearsney 31-27 Michaelhouse
16B: Kearsney 19-33 Michaelhouse
16C: Kearsney 21-25 Michaelhouse
16D: Kearsney 37-21 Michaelhouse
16E: Kearsney 10-23 Michaelhouse
15A: Kearsney 29-26 Michaelhouse
15B: Kearsney 20-13 Michaelhouse
15C: Kearsney 14-17 Michaelhouse
15D: Kearsney 3-37 Michaelhouse
15E: Kearsney 0-22 Michaelhouse
14A: Kearsney 31-28 Michaelhouse
14B: Kearsney 17-12 Michaelhouse
14C: Kearsney 9-4 Michaelhouse
14D: Kearsney 26-7 Michaelhouse
14E: Kearsney 4-8 Michaelhouse
WATER POLO
After a spectacular 2024, during which Kearsney won the Reef Cup, the KZN Top 10, and the St Stithians Water Polo Invitational, big things are expected of coach Nicholas Rodda‘s boys, but those successes have also placed a target on their backs.
The home team carried a remarkable 22-game winning streak into Saturday’s clash, and they extended it to 23, but not after being tested by a gritty Michaelhouse team.
It was tight from the first whistle, but Kearsney, who had very little preparation time before the game, came away with a 1-0 lead after the first chukka.
Michaelhouse, whose performances have been on the up, came back fighting hard, and by the end of the third chukka it was all square at 7-7.
In the fourth chukka, though, Kearsney class and experience told as they fired in four goals to ‘House’s one to come away with an 11-8 victory. KZN Schools’ star Luca Sandri (feature photo, courtesy Hannah Shirley) led the way, netting four for the winners.
Overall, the competition in the pool between the schools was tight. Kearsney pulled off seven wins, while Michaelhouse scored four victories.
RESULTS
1st: Kearsney 11-8 Michaelhouse
2nd: Kearsney 9-6 Michaelhouse
3rd: Kearsney 5-9 Michaelhouse
4th: Kearsney 3-9 Michaelhouse
5th: Kearsney 14-5 Michaelhouse
5th: Kearsney 7-5 Michaelhouse 6th
15A: Kearsney 5-7 Michaelhouse
15B: Kearsney 11-4 Michaelhouse
15C: Kearsney 6-2 Michaelhouse
14A: Kearsney 3-5 Michaelhouse
14B: Kearsney 12-5 Michaelhouse
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