Kearsney College continues to claim wins

Cricket

Kearsney College (Coastal champions) and Hilton College (Inland Champions) clashed last Thursday during the KZN T20 final at the Maritzburg Oval.

Kearsney won the toss and put Hilton in to bat. As underdogs, Kearsney’s rationale was that if the powerful Hilton side could be restricted to a manageable total, they could hopefully chase it down.

Hilton came out of the blocks as the aggressors and Kearsney’s counter was to take pace off of the ball. Hilton lost wickets regularly and its two kingpins were dispatched early on. Excellent bowling ensured Hilton only reached 102 all out in the allotted 20 overs.

Kearsney went into bat knowing they had to absorb the pressure and maintain composure. In the first 60 deliveries, Kearsney conceded 40 dot balls and Jared Uys was back in the hut.

With Uys lost early on, Jean-Luc Talbot and Dylan Hulett continued to build the innings. Talbot developed severe cramp and had to leave the field. After a slight lull in the run rate, Kearsney’s captain, Cade Carmichael, joined Hulett and scored an invaluable 37 runs. When Carmichael was caught, Talbot returned to the crease and, together with Dean Gibbs, helped Kearsney over the line. Kearsney won the match by five wickets.

Kearsney will now represent the Dolphins franchise at the National T20 tournament from 6 to 8 March at Tukkies, where they will play the other five franchises.

T20 Provincial final:

Hilton 1st X1: 102/10

Kearsney 1st X1: 103/5 (Carmichael 37, Davis 43)

Kearsney won by 5 wickets

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All of Kearsney’s A teams travelled to Hilton for the final summer fixtures, but the 1st XI weren’t able to emulate their performance at the T20 final against Hilton two days prior and were defeated before the weather intervened.

Weekend fixture:

Kearsney 1st X1: 164/10

Hilton 1st X1: 166/2

Kearsney lost by 8 wickets

Basketball

Kearsney travelled to Hilton for the final fixture of the summer sports season. The hosts had not lost a game this season and Kearsney went into the match as the underdog.

The local team started well and took a four-point lead during the first quarter with accurate shooting. They continued to pull further away during the second quarter and created a 12-point lead (36-24).

The visitors continued a good offensive effort and excellent defence, but Hilton remained patient on offence and, without the aid of the 24-second shot clocks, Hilton scored when a gap opened up.

Kearsney and Hilton matched basket for basket during the second half. Kearsney continued to pull away, only to have Hilton fight their way back. It was the lead Kearsney accumulated during the first half that proved to be too much for Hilton.

Kearsney won the match 74-60.