Ashton International College Ballito launched the second week of term 4 with a flurry of sporting success, with the cricket teams putting on particularly excellent performances.

Ashton’s teams won matches across five sporting codes, showcasing growing strength across the sporting board.

Cricket

The senior college cricket teams enjoyed a bumper week, with both the boys’ 1st XI and U15A sides playing three matches each.

Ashton’s girls’ 1st XI also made a powerful start to their season, defeating Westville Girls’ High School at the Oxford Oval on Sunday.

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The boys’ 1st XI cricket campaign began midweek with a T20 away fixture against Curro Hillcrest. Ashton dominated, bowling out the home side for under 100 and cruising to victory.

The U15A match was called off due to rain, but not before Matthew Scholtz made headlines by claiming a hat-trick in the very first over, leaving Curro reeling at 1/5 when play was halted.

Friday night’s matches under the lights against Suid-Natal saw both Ashton teams continue their winning streak. Strong batting performances set up commanding totals, and the bowlers wrapped up both games efficiently, twice dismissing Suid-Natal for under 100.

The week concluded with a clash against Durban North rivals Reddam Umhlanga. Ashton’s bowlers again led the charge, bowling out both the 15A and 1st XI teams for under 100.

The 15A side chased down their target with ease, while the 1st XI sealed a dominant 97-run win.

In the girls’ 1st XI clash, Ashton bowled first against Westville, dismissing their hosts for just 64 runs in 12.5 overs. Saivia Subrayen and Ariya Hansraj were the standout bowlers, sharing six wickets. Saivia took 3/8 and Ariya 3/10.

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Ashton chased down the modest target with ease, reaching 68/3 in 8.1 overs. Juliana Fernandes top-scored with a run-a-ball 20.

Craig Currin, head of Ashton senior college sport, praised the cricketers for their commitment and performances, especially the Grade 12s juggling sport and final exams.

“It was a great week of cricket, with our boys’ and girls’ teams winning all their matches,” he said.

“Well done to all our cricketers on an outstanding week of performances, and a special thank you to our matric players for their incredible commitment and leadership throughout the season.”

Basketball

On Friday, both boys’ teams defeated Reddam Umhlanga. The 15A team won 20-8, continuing their momentum from the Northwood Basketball Festival, while the 1st team secured an 11-5 victory.

“We kicked off the season with a fantastic set of victories against Durban North rivals, Reddam Umhlanga,” said Currin.

Netball

On the netball court, Ashton’s U18 girls competed at the Durban Girls’ College Stayers Tournament, finishing fifth out of 16 schools.

The team won six of their eight matches, with Michelle van Heerden named among the tournament’s Top 10 players.

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Ashton beat a string of top KZN schools starting with a one-point win against Durban Girls’ High School in their opening match.

Defeat to Luthayi High School followed however, but the girls regrouped and won three on the bounce versus St Anne’s, Durban Girls’ College B, and Our Lady of Fatima B.

A tight loss followed to Danville Park Girls’ but wins against Curro Hillcrest and Thomas More College saw the girls finish strong.

Head of girls’ sport, Erdine Coetzee, who expects another successful term of netball, said: “Michelle’s performances were outstanding!”

Water Polo

The school took on Reddam Umhlanga in both a boys’ and girls’ set of fixtures on Friday, October 17.

The boys’ senior side beat Reddam 8-5, while the girls’ senior water polo team played out a dramatic 5-5 draw in their contest, noted Currin.

“The team showed great determination and teamwork, fighting back to level the score before the final whistle,” he added.

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