RUGBY
I take this opportunity to thank those folk who do a tremendous job behind the scenes in ensuring that College rugby runs so smoothly :
• Ken Hackland and his ground staff on the immaculate preparation of the fields , once again , this year . The team went the ‘ extra mile ’ on many occasions , especially on Reunion Day , which was remarked on by a number of Old Boys .
• The rugby mothers who slave on Saturdays over pots of tea and plates of cakes .
• Ryan Kyle who carried out the MIC rugby role for most of the season , adding exciting new structures to the set up .
• M-J Smit and his Second Form boarders for all the pre-match equipment preparation .
• Stacey Emerson for her work behind the scenes finding ‘ fillers ’.
• Ailsa Greyling and her first aid team who provide a professional first aid service .
• Heather Lawson , the school caterer , for the superb rugby fare in the form of suppers , lunches and post-match snacks .
• The headmaster , Mr Chris Luman , for his continued interest and expertise in all matters related to rugby .
1st XV
Mr K Guise-Brown
The 2016 season was a tough one with , arguably , the hardest fixture list in many years . The decision to attend the Kearsney Festival was made owing to the extensive costs of the Wynberg 175th Festival later in the year and this meant that the team had four fixtures in a row against top 10 sides in the country . The opportunity to play warm up games was a problem and hence the squad went into the festival with very little game time under their belts . Close losses to Dale College and Selborne put the team on the back foot and then two tough encounters against EG Jansen and Grey College really hurt the morale of the boys . This squad was made from stern stuff , however , and they rallied together to record good victories over Pretoria Boys High and Michaelhouse on their Reunion Day . A tough tour to Cape Town was next with a loss to SACS and a well-earned victory against the hosts , Wynberg . The SACS result was hard to accept as there were a few decisions that went against the team and a try was disallowed in the dying minutes as the referee was unsighted . Once again the boys rallied hard and some excellent results were achieved against a large Westville team , the highly rated DHS team on their 150th Founders ’ Day and Hilton on our own Reunion Day . These wins showed that this team was difficult to beat when they stuck to the plan and played to the team ’ s strengths .
The third term kicked off with a very tough match against Affies from Pretoria who were arguably the strongest team in the country , having gone down by one point in an upset result against the top team from Paarl Boys High . The boys fought hard but eventually succumbed to the bigger , faster visitors . A close victory the following weekend against a fired up home side at Pretoria Boys High gave the team some momentum going into the final match against Glenwood . With Glenwood boasting 12 provincial players and College with none , the general feeling was that the Durban school just had to pitch up and claim the win . This was not to be as the College boys played true College rugby and could / should have won this game by some margin . Unfortunately the visitors scored in the dying minutes to snatch victory away from a deserving College team .
Player Critique :
Forwards
M King ( Colours and Scarf , U18 Academy ): A player who showed tremendous character throughout the season where he became one who was always counted on to keep the lads going in the front row . His selection to play for the Sharks Academy side was the result of his dedication and commitment throughout the season .
A Landman ( Large White Badge ): A tenacious and nuggety player who grew in stature as the season progressed . He is to be commended for the way he worked on the technical aspects of his game in the off season . This allowed the team as a whole to benefit from his hard work . He was unlucky not to have gained provincial selection but this did not impede the way he approached the game .
A Reintges ( Colours and Scarf , U18 Academy ): He typified the dictum that the tighthead prop anchors the entire team ; his work at scrum time was immense and this gave the rest of the side the freedom to use the scrum as a platform to launch from . His work rate around the park was of tremendous value to the overall structure of the team . His leadership was of vital importance when called upon during the season to assume the mantle of captain .
M Hancock ( Colours ): A lock forward who truly blossomed throughout the season . His lineout work was something to behold and he quickly became a vital part of the team ’ s attacking setup . He was unlucky not to gain further honours but this did not impede his efforts on Goldstone ’ s when wearing the white badge .
L Cameron-Mackintosh ( Colours ): A player who typified what could be achieved through sheer grit and determination . He forced his way into the side on the back of some tremendous performances for the 2nd XV and did not look back . His partnership with Hancock in the second row was invaluable . He will return next year and should become a vital member of the 2017 team .
A Khanyile ( Colours ): He did remarkably well for a player who had just arrived at Maritzburg College . His ability to steal the ball at the breakdown was of great value to the team and it is hoped that this will continue next year when he is expected to become a vital member of the 1st XV .
M Diedericks ( Colours ): A player who , no matter the knock or amount of pain his body was in , could be counted on to do his utmost for the side and get through a work rate which would have felled a lesser man . He could be relied on to do the hard , not often noticed , work which allowed the more flashy players the space and freedom to do theirs . He thoroughly deserved the Most Committed Player Award at the annual Sports and Cultural Awards evening .
C Glover ( Captain , Colours and Scarf , U18 Academy ): His leadership , both on and off the field , and playing standard was of huge value to the team and coaching staff . His attitude to training and his demands of absolute dedication from every member of the squad stood this team in good stead and for this he is thanked .
At the end of the day the results say that this was not a good season for Maritzburg College . When one looks at the opposition and the size of our boys , the team can hold their heads high as they fought with everything they had and backed down to no-one .
The team was excellently led by C Glover and A Reintges , when Glover was injured . With quite a few players returning in 2017 , it bodes well for the future .
C Glover with N Mjara in support
Page sponsored by Nicholas Odendaal ( Class of 2016 )
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