Although a “free” weekend for Maritzburg College, there was a wealth of sporting activity and some outstanding achievements over the last few days, including the Dusi Canoe Marathon, the Jenny Orchard Basketball Tournament, cricket, athletics, tennis, debating and water polo.
College’s 1st basketball team secured a fantastic victory in the final of the 2nd Jenny Orchard Basketball tournament against Northwood School, with a score of 87-84. Once again, the boys rose to the challenge and fought hard, showing courage and determination coming from behind to secure the win in the closing stages of the game.
The College canoeing team had a great 2024 Dusi Canoe Marathon with excellent results from our boys who secured 1st, 2nd and 5th places in the K2 U18 – and brought home the winning school trophy for the first time in four years. Canoeing coach Bridgitte Hartley secured 2nd place in the ladies race, while Stuart Little and Jeremy Maher won the K2 U23. Of course, top honours go to OC Andy Birkett who once again dominated the race winning for an unbelievable 14th time!
Basketball
College’s 1st, 2nd and U16B teams participated in the Jenny Orchard Basketball Tournament, with the U16B team finishing in 6th position, the 2nd team bringing home a silver in Division B, and the 1st team being crowned Division A champions. The U16 team had a very good outing at the St Stithian’s festival winning six of their seven matches.
1st team report (Ms Nonkululeko Gumede)
In a highly anticipated spectacle, the Jenny Orchard Tournament (JOI) tournament kicked off with Maritzburg College squaring off against the formidable Knights of Northwood Boys’. Despite a disheartening initial setback, the Maritzburg College boys showcased a remarkable resurgence in the qualifiers, particularly in a riveting Darby semi-final against their formidable adversaries, the Saints of St Charles. The spotlight fell on the stellar performance of the all-star player, Tate, who emerged as a formidable opponent, posing a significant obstacle to Maritzburg College’s dreams of reaching the final. However, the indomitable spirit of the red, black, and white-clad warriors prevailed, underscoring their championship calibre.
Advancing to the final, Maritzburg College found themselves once again facing their opening rivals, the Knights from Northwood. The championship clash unfolded as a thrilling basketball spectacle, with Maritzburg College driven by an unwavering determination. From the first whistle, it was a neck-and-neck battle, each basket fiercely contested. Both teams had their eyes set on claiming the coveted trophy for the first time. As the game progressed, the intensity soared, leading to a nail-biting conclusion. After the fourth quarter, the deadlock persisted, and the contest ventured into overtime with the score deadlocked at 79-79. Inathi Masinga emerged as the hero for Maritzburg College, delivering multiple baskets and crucial steals, solidifying his status as the Most Valuable Player (MVP). His outstanding contributions propelled the College team to a hard-fought victory, securing their triumph in the 2024 JOI tournament with a final score of 87-84. The journey from disappointment to elation exemplified the resilience and prowess of Maritzburg College, etching their names in the annals of JOI tournament history.
Summary of results:
St Stithian’s – 16A
Vs St David’s won 27-19
Vs St Peter’s won 33-27
Vs Usuthu won 37-22
Vs Sacred heart won 43-18
Vs KES won 36-27
Vs St George’s lost 33-44
Vs Michael Mount won 44-33
JOI tournament:
16B
Vs MaPs lost 48-73
Vs Enjabulweni lost 37-40
Vs Wynberg lost 23-63
Vs Alex won 58-44
Vs 2nd team lost 39-74
Vs Queens won 45-30
Vs Usuthu lost 39-59
Placed 6th Division B
2nd team (Division B)
Vs St Benedict’s School won 56-53
Vs Treverton won 51-37
Vs Usuthu won 68-40
Vs Queens won 42-28
Vs 16B won 74-39
Vs Enjabulweni won 67-56
Vs Wynberg lost 66-67
Placed 2nd Division B
1st team (Division A)
Vs Northwood lost 67-79
Vs ESCA won 71-48
Vs SACS won 94-42
Vs Kearsney won 74-49 (QF)
Vs St Charles won 68-66 (SF)
Vs Northwood won 87-84 (F)
Division A champions
Canoeing
College had nine boys as well as canoe coach, Ms Bridgitte Hartley, and over 20 Old Boys participate in this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon. Winning the school’s trophy and having OC Andy Birkett once again dominate the race winning for an unbelievable 14th time were the ultimate highlights!
There were excellent results from the boys who secured 1st, 2nd, 5th and 7th places in the K2 U18 – and brought home the winning school trophy for the first time in four years.
U/18 category:
Keegan Vogt & partner (Greg Palframen) 1st, 20th overall
Jack Odell & Matthew Van Heerden 2nd, 27th overall
James Gotte & Simon Norton 5th, 49th overall
Luke O’Connor & partner (Dylan Barber) 7th, 61st overall
Scott Venniker & (Callum Hull) 58th overall
U23 category
OCs Stuart Little & Jeremy Maher won the K2 U23
Jayden Janse van Rensberg & partner (James Sharpe) 12th, 58th overall
Nathan Curry & partner (OC Steve Curry) 136th overall
A huge shout out to College’s dedicated and talented canoeing coach Bridgitte Hartley who, in addition to mentoring and supporting the boys, secured 2nd place in the ladies’ race.
Cricket
The College First XI participated in the Clifton Centenary T20 festival, making it to the final before losing narrowly to DHS.
Summary of scores:
vs Michaelhouse
MHS 139/6
College 140/8; Gibson 35, Mason 30
College won by 2 wickets
Vs Westville
Westville 131/7; Mason 2-16
Match abandoned
DHS match abandoned
Vs Northwood
College 125/8; Gibson 26, Dzanibe 26
Northwood 7/0
Match abandoned
Semi-final vs Glenwood
College 132/8; Mason 44
Glenwood 122/7; Hughes 2-19
College won by 10 runs
Final vs DHS
College 127/8; Dzanibe 42*
DHS 131/5
College lost by 5 wickets
Athletics
College’s athletes took part in the 3rd aQuellè Summer series meeting on Wednesday evening.
10 Schools took part this week and College finished 2nd, with nine 1st places, four 2nd places and seven 3rd places.
Summary of Results:
1st:
Y Mchunu – 100m under 20 (11.16s) and 400m (52.54s)
S Ismail – 400m under 16 (54.13s) NEW RECORD and 1500m (4:32.72s) NEW RECORD
A Kritzinger – High Jump under 20 (1.90m)
S Jansen – Shut Put under 16 (12.53m)
N Breedt – Discus under 16 (33.45m)
Under 16 Swedish Relay team (2:14.73s)
Under 20 Swedish Relay team (2:07.30)
2nd:
E Maynard – 400m under 20 (53.69s)
S Gumbi – High Jump under 16 (1.70m)
S Jansen – Discus under 16 (31.63m)
T Boshoff – Discus under 18 (35.47m)
3rd:
U Gamede – 100m under 18 (11.51s)
M Kritzinger = 100m under 20 (11.67s)
L Makhoba – 400m under 16 (5:02.23s)
J Badenhorst – Shot Put under 16 (10.72m)
N Breedt – Shot Put under 16 (10.72m)
L Bezuidenhout – Discus under 16 (30.22m)
Under 18 Swedish Relay ream (2:11.42s)
Overall age categories:
1st under 16: Shahaan Ismail
1st under 20: Yetaba Mchunu
In addition, they also participated in the ASA league 5 meeting held this past Saturday, achieving ELEVEN 1st places, FOUR 2nd places and ONE 3rd place.
Results:
1st: L Makhoba – 3000m under 15 (10:52.63) and 1500m (5:12,73)
J Werth – 5000m under 19 (17:50,40)
M Kritzinger – 100m under 19 (11,79s)
A Kritzinger – Long jump under 19 (6,06m) and High jump (1,80m)
N Breedt – Discus under 15 (33,36m), Shotput (10,71m) and Hammer (27,91m)
J Baptista – Javelin under 15 (33,07m)
L Baptista – Discus under 17 (26,64m)
2nd: C Higgins – 5000m under 19 (20:35,69)
Y Mchunu – 200m under 19 (22.90s)
J Baptista – Discus under 15 (31,10m)
U Gamede – 100m under 17 (11,89s)
3rd: U Gamede – 200m under 17 (23,41s)
Tennis
College’s 1st team played St Charles and drew 6-6.
At the uMgungundlovu trials, S Deane was selected for the U19 team, and played very well losing in the semifinal. L Puddu was selected for the U15 team, and lost in the tie-breaker of the final, finishing second.
Water polo
College’s U15 team took part in the Dallas Hutton tournament, with some very close matches, and finished in 8th place.
Debating
Round 1
Grade 8:
College 1 v GHS – College won
Best speaker, N Luvuno
College 2 v Epworth – College won
Best speaker, S Gumbi