Wednesday 28 April 2010

Saints hockey

vs Howick High School

ST CHARLES COLLEGE HOCKEY had a two good days at the game. The U16A XI played Howick's Second XI and came away with a 6-1 win with goals courtesy of Liam Naidoo, Frank Küsel x 2, Pavi Indjarith, Wiaan Luttig and Robin Mitchell. The First XI won comfortably, 7-1 with goals from Kevin Stanger x 3, captain Gareth Dukes x 2, Kalin Nundlall and Michael Day. Howick's goal in this game was interesting in that the ball rolled nearly half way down the field, bounced off the goal post and was bumped in by a Howick player standing right there. Thanks for the visit Howick. Well played to all the players.

Webmaster | Saints hockey | 2010 04 28

Saturday 24 April 2010

Harwin Field

SCC and MHS brighten a grey day

HARWIN FIELD AT ST CHARLES COLLEGE Saturday 24 April 2010 - shot from the south. Some 2500 people gathered around to watch a spectacle of running rugby from two old rivals, St Charles College and Michaelhouse. See story below. The visiting boys are on the left under the trees on the western side of the field, parents and staff beyond that and stretched across the north side of the field, and the St Charles College boys, supporters and Old Boys are on the right - the eastern edge.

Webmaster | St Charles College | 2010 04 24

Saturday 24 April 2010

First home fixture for the winter season

Bring it on, Michaelhouse!

MICHAELHOUSE LAST VISITED ST CHARLES COLLEGE on Old Boys' Day, 2008. Today, with the grounds looking immaculate, we hosted our Balgowan visitors - always a tough but friendly encounter. It was no different this year with the temperatures down to something more wintery than we've been having lately as the sun stayed behind the grey cloud cover, and hockey and rugby were played in 18 degree C conditions. It was a very busy day as there were games all around the grounds with all rugby fields in use - with all hockey games being played on artifical turf - the neighbouring St John's D.S.G. hockey turf being used to make this objective possible.

The St Charles Prep boys headed off to Clifton Nottingham Road for a full set of rugby fixtures and came back with a very creditable set of results. The Junior First XV went down 0-10 with the U10s and U11B sides winning. The surprise was the U11A side which, having shown so much early promise, didn't live up to expections - "they'll come right", we are assured by the Head of Sport in the Prep, Mr Rown Irons.

The College's First XI hockey boys have been settling into a compact and cohesive unit. The first half produced enormous Michaelhouse pressure with three short corners in succession all of which were valiantly defended by goalie, Joel Barron, with the help of the hockey team. Once the hosts had overcome the jitters which resulted from this attack, they opened up their play and became the threat we had all anticipated. St Charles threatened to score for much of the first half. Suddenly, off broken-down play in mid-field and two consequent passes, captain, Gareth Dukes, at the top of the D drove a hard shot into the middle of the net to open the tally 1-0.

The second half was largely more of the same - after an unsuccessful strike at goal by Dukes, the ball rebounded to Uli Fischer who drag-flicked the score to 2-0. Minutes later there was a short corner - one of those three-part, yours-mine-and-ours' affairs which saw Ryan Sclanders slam home from out wide, and the score climbed to 3-0. On the right wing from his defensive position, Gareth Rall danced rings around the opposition making quality ball available to the links and forwards.

The Balgowan visitors were, understandably, having none of this kind of treatment and duly upped the pressure - especially during the last five minutes. Two short corners resulted. With the clock ticking down, for both sides the game was on a knife-edge as Michaelhouse took the total to 3-2. With the Saints on the attack again the time was up and St Charles College took a 3-2 win. The visitors played very physical hockey - the Saints were up to it, absorbed it and countered it - a wonderful advertisement for the development of this game at St Charles, particularly on the artificial turf introduced at the College mid-2007. Man of the match? If all the strikes at goal had found their mark, Michaelhouse could have left with at least six more points. Joel Barron defended the goal valiantly; he is the webmaster's man-of-the-match.

The first five minutes of the First XV's rugby match was largely dictated by Michaelhouse as they ran in two tries, one of which was converted. Clinical and quick - just like that. But that's what it took for the Saints to settle down, up their defence, turn it into attack and, at times, make almost a festival game of running rugby out of it. It became schoolboy rugby at its very best: Michaelhouse run; St Charles run - dynamic, exciting play. The large crowd of some 2500 people around Harwin field loved it. Notable for their pacy attacks were the Saints Shaun McNamara (left wing), Shaun Searle and Vincent Potgieter (centres), Matthew Tweddle (Nº 8), and Zama Khumalo (scrum half). Pressure also saw St Charles camp on the visitors' tryline for at least the last seven minutes of the first half - without success though as the red-and-white machine defended effectively - the half-time score: 0-12.

The second half, at least initially, belonged to that of the come-back men of Harwin Road. St Charles opened up immediately with sustained attack, camping on the Michaelhouse line. After four powerful drives and a scrum, Vincent Potgieter (photo 20) received the ball from Khumalo, sprinted for the line and crashed over between the posts. 5-12. After the restart, running the ball wide, Michaelhouse scored in the eastern corner of the field - 5-17. Minutes later a fast pass from Byron Coetzee saw Shaun Searle score the Saints' second try 15m in from touch (photo 22) which took the score to 10-17. Two further close attempts had the potential to level the scores, but they were, sadly, not to be.

Michaelhouse won the game - three tries to two. St Charles missed three penalty kicks and both conversion attempts which could have.......mmmmm.. It was a win for the visitors - and well played. Well played to all the boys especially to the Saints who have improved hugely in the past month. Thanks for the visit Michelhouse - your warcries are nearly as good as the Saints', but then the webmaster is biased. Thanks to Messrs Kevin Rall and Justin Smit for the additional photos. Well done to all the coaches, to the Head of Sport at the College, Mr David Karlsen on a day well organised, and thanks to all helpers, referrees, umpires and the catering staff for a great day. Next year at your house, Michaelhouse!

Webmaster | St Charles College | 2010 04 24

Friday 24 April 2010

Football on JR

SCC hosts Clifton Notties

CLIFTON NOTTINGHAM ROAD VISITED St Charles Prep this afternoon for two football games - the Junior Second XI at 2:30 saw the Preppie saints come away with a fluid 4-0 win while the Junior First Xi, an hour later, bagged a win on 2-0. Thank you to St Charles College Matric students, Andrew McFadden, Daniel Moxham and Kevin Seterumane, for officiating for the games.

PHOTOS: Above: Michael Darroch was rock solid in the goals. Below: Luke Barnard. Bottom - left: Zac Koutsouris lining up his first goal; middle: Riley Coutts; right: Declan Cox.

Webmaster | JR Field | 2010 04 23

Wednesday 21 April 2010

Hockey on Saints

SCC hosts Treverton

Saturday 17 April 2010

Full day of Senior and Prep fixtures

Prep hosts Cordwalles, College visits Northwood

IT WAS A VERY BUSY SATURDAY FOR THE SAINTS as we hosted Cordwalles across the full range of rugby age-groups cluminating in the First XV match on Harwin. Arguably the St Charles Prep's Second XV did best with their draw aginst Cordies, but the fact of the matter is that results were substantially improved on last year and the years before that. It was great to have had the round of fixtures with you Cordies - well played, and we look forward to meeting again on the football and hockey fields later this year.

The St Charles College senior-School teams headed off to Durban North for a full round of hockey and rugby fixtures - where the hockey teams showed to what extent this game has developed at the College and is being successful. Drawing 1-1 last year, the hockey First XI came away with a 3-2 win today - in spite of appearing to be intent on snatching defeat from the jaws of victory in the last quarter of the game. With both St Charles College and Northwood having beaten DHS this year by the same kind of margin (the Saints slightly better), this result was fair though one feels there was a lot more hockey in the Saints than one saw on the wet turf overlooking the Indian Ocean at 1pm this afternoon. Northwood opened the scoring with a superb cross reminiscent of Maritzburg College's opening goal on Wednesday last. After a St Charles College penalty attempt which went wide - which would have levelled the scores - it was up to Gareth Dukes to drive home the ball with a slight course correction from Mzamo Cele (photo 13 below) to level the scores at 1-1. The Saints rounded off the first half with a cross from Uli Fischer to Kalin Nundlall, who goaled. Captain, Gareth Dukes, shot home a perfect goal in the third quarter after which the team's cohesion seemed to fall apart. Over-confidence? Perhaps. Perhaps it was Northwood's increased pressure, but they scored, and in a period of frantic scrabbling, the Saints calmed down, to hold onto a 3-2 win.

The First XV rugby team is slowly coming to terms with the kind of level they are encountering. In a very tense, oftentimes scrappy, always high-paced game the First XV went into the second half 3-20 down. After an early penalty kick in front of the posts which Burton Weakley kicked home for 3 points, Northwood replied with a converted try from a penalty to open their account. The game, overall, was very physical, very fast, and much as SCC tried to stop the Northwood forwards from getting the ball to their backline, as soon as the speedy centres and wings got the ball, points were on. Northwood's handling was very good - a very different team from last year. The Saints, meanwhile, were reminded at the interval team-talk that sticking to the basics was what won rugby games - and that at the St Stithian's Festival they were the team which bounced back in the second half.

And bounce back, this afternoon, they did.

The second half opened with another Weakley penalty kick to give the Saints a total of 6. The Saints clearly were taking the half-time team-talk to heart. A fourth- and fifth-phase Saints attack got the ball to within metres of the Northwood goalline - when James Rae received the ball from a Daniel Capsopolos pass, to score between the posts. Weakley duly converted and the score climbed to 13-20. The Saints upped the pressure even more, took on Northwood at their own running game, and forced the hosts into numerous handling mistakes - the backline was brilliant when they got clean ball - as they had been in the first half - now, under huge Saints pressure they were a different team, on which the visitors capitalised. A massive attack in the Saints 22 area took an enormous clearing kick from Andrew Botha to clear the danger. After the resultant lineout, Vincent Potgieter received the ball and disappeared, unchallenged, into the north to score between the posts - also converted by Weakley - which took the total to 20-20. A flurry of heart-stopping penalty kicks marked the dying minutes of the game -- each of which had the potential to alter the result (particularly a just-wide penalty kick for Northwood) -- but none was on target, and the result of 20-20 was sealed. Northwood owned the first half, the Saints scrapped for the second. A draw was probably about the fairest result, all things considered.

Great day at Northwood - thanks for the hospitality and for your friendship. Well played to all the sportsmen.

Webmaster | at Northwood High School | 2010 04 17

Friday 16 April 2010

Prep football

vs Highbury

FRIDAY AFTERNOON ON THE HARWIN ROAD FIELDS, we hosted Highbury Preparatory School from Hillcrest to a round of fixtures across the age groups.

PHOTOS:
1. Romano Green
2. Murray Fitzpatrick (Photos: Justin Smit)

Webmaster | Pietermaritzburg | 2010 04 17

Thursday 15 April 2010

Prep rugby

vs Aberley Hall (UK)

UNITED KINGDOM VISITORS, Aberley Hall, visited the St Charles Prep this afternoon for a dust-up against the Junior First XV. Exact scores follow presently, but it appeared that the visitors went away with a 3 tries to 1 win. Great to have had Abberley visit again - two years ago now isn't it? Well played and thanks for the game.

PHOTOS:
1. Jeremy Davidson
2. William Squires on attack (Photos: Justin Smit)

Webmaster | Pietermaritzburg | 2010 04 15

Wednesday 14 April 2010

Hockey

vs Maritzburg College

AS WITH SO MANY MATCHES there were two very different halves this afternoon. In an extraordinarily hot 37 degress and with one critical St Charles College centre missing from their team, the city's two boys' Colleges embarked on round one of a two-afternoon hockey derby. While the U16As played on the Saints field, the First XIs were on the Maritzburg College Pape's field at 4pm.

The first half belonged to Maritzburg College's First XI who went to the interval break with three goals - two were easy goals as a direct consequence of St Charles College's defensive mistakes and the other a beautifully wrought slam into the net. After the interval, in the third quarter, the Maritzburg College lads scored early and then again after ten minutes and a minute later. Staring at a 0-6 defeat seemed be just the sort of catalyst the Saints needed. The fourth quarter became a different game with the College Road lads showing just how good they are in defence. They needed to. A Michael Esteves to Gareth Dukes to Keagan Davids move resulted in the Saints first goal bypassing the hosts' defence. Two minutes later Gareth Dukes slammed another goal home after the huge St Charles College pressure - to round off the game 2-6.

It was really great to be playing hockey again at Maritzburg College. Thank you for sharing this great game with us and well played. Well played to all the boys. The second set of fixtures are on Friday afternoon at both Schools - the programme may be downloaded - see above.

PHOTOS:
1. (Above) The Maritzburg College and St Charles College teams on Pape's hockey field this afternoon
2. (Below) Ryan Sclanders
3. Vaughn Moses
4. Michael Esteves
5. Mzamo Cele
6. U14A hockey boys absorbing the First XI action - their earlier game at 2pm a thing of the past
7. Gareth Rall
8. Captains' greeting before the match - Gareth Dukes (Photos 8, 9 and 10 - Kevin Ral)
9. Keith Stanger in defence
10. Gareth Dukes trots awayafter a goal
11. Applause for the first Saints' goal (Photos: Justin Waldman)

Webmaster | Pietermaritzburg | 2010 04 14

Thursday 8 April 2010

Ken Florens U14 Hockey Festival

Durban North abuzz with hockey

THIS WEEKEND IT'S THE TURN OF THE U14 HOCKEY SAINTS who are scooting around the artificial turf at Northwood High School. "The boys are under Bret Markham's care as I am off to Swaziland today to run a hockey coaching clinic," writes U14 hockey coach, Mr Sam Hamman. Assisting Old Boy Markham (1999), is another Old Boy, Christopher Genheimer (2009). With two schools pulling out of the Festival at the last minute, there was a substantial late change to the programme resulting in the St Charles College games being played at times conventient for spectators travelling from Pietermaritzburg.

THURSDAY 8 APRIL 2010: The weather and setting was superb for hockey as the St Charles College boys took on Paul Roos Gimnasium in a 10:50am fixture. Scoring a goal in the opening minutes of the game, the Stellenbosch boys were all over the Saints in the first half keeping Saints goalie, Tim Kirkman, very very busy and, fortunately, very effective with the help of the huge defence mounted by the Saints. The second half was a completely different game as the Saints took the attack to the Cape boys - and, with just 150 seconds of the game left, levelled the score with one of the smartest of smart short-corners in the book - courtesy of Ferdi Luttig who delivered the coup de grace. The 1-1 result was perhaps a tad lucky - but we'll take it. The 3:00pm game against St Andrew's School, Bloemfontein, saw an early St Charles goal off the stick of Struan Wade followed by at least ten attacks during the game on the Bloemfontein goalmouth - which simply wouldn't stick. Eric de Rauville and Ferdi Luttig would deliver the ball within reach of the goal mouth, but ... you know the story. With about 90 seconds left there was a late attack on the St Charles College goal which had all spectators' hearts in their mouths while it gave goal-keeper, Robert Bakker, a chance to strut his stuff and kick away the ball after nearly an hour of realitive inactivity. Well played St Charles College Saints.

FRIDAY 9 APRIL 2010: On a very hot Friday with a westerly berg wind heating things up, the Saints met their match at 9:10am in the shape of the Rondebosch Boys' High School squad which arrived with superb stick-work and finishing to match. The St Charles College boys by no means played badly, but they battled to contain such a well-drilled side. The score of 1-4 was perhaps a fair reflection of the game which saw Ferdi Luttig score for SCC. The second game at 2:10pm had the potential to be the same - Parktown Boys' High School - and it was a tough match where the Saints gritted their teeth and came away with a 1-0 win - goal courtesy of ... ... ... Struan Wade! Well played to all the boys. Well played Rondebosch and Parktown, and of course the Saints from Maritzburg.

SATURDAY 10 APRIL 2010: After the 33 degree heat of yesterday, a blustery cold and miserable day greeted the hockey Saints as they took on Prince Edward School, Harare at 11:00am. To a certain extent it was one-way traffic for the St Charles College boys as they played a good game to win 3-0 - two goals off the stick of Struan Wade and one from Ferdi Luttig. The afternoon game at 14:10pm against Bishops from Cape Town also got the Pietermaritzburg boys home satisfactorily, this time 2-0 with Struan Wade taking two goals, the second right off the stick of Devon Goldstone who set it up. Well done, Devon!

We thank all the teams from the other schools for your friendship and good hockey. Thanks also go to Northwood High School for organising this annual Festival and for including St Charles College in it. Well played to all the boys, and good luck for the season ahead. Thanks to Brett Markham and Christopher Genheimer for overseeing the U14 team in Mr Sam Hamman's absence, and for giving up three days of your valuable time for St Charles College's hockey. To the parents who supported the Saints, we couldn't have done it without you - thank you.

Webmaster | Pietermaritzburg | 2010 04 13

Thursday 1 April 2010

Rugby and Hockey festivals

KZN and Gauteng tours

THE ST CHARLES COLLEGE RUGBY COACH, MR STEWART BRADFORD was upbeat about the First XV's rugby tour to Randburg, Gauteng, who play the first of three matches at the St Stithian's Rugby Festival which starts there this morning. "This is a festival primarily for coaches to evaluate their boys - for this reason we are taking a group of guys all of whom will play. We're not taking guys to sit on the bench for three matches. Of course a win or two for the Saints would be nice," he added with a grin. With two matches behind them (Hilton and DHS), a lot of practice has been going on at Harwin Road.

The Randburg Saints write in their Festival brochure: The emphasis of the Festival has always been on good, clean rugby and as such, there have never been any winners as well as no points awarded, no trophies and no individual honours. Mark Henning, the College’s headmaster in 1984 stated at the time that the aim of the festival was “to provide 1st XV players with the opportunity of meeting both off and on the field and participating in a week of rugby and sportsmanship that they will never forget.” This ethos has not changed in 25 years and remains one of the core values that underpin the event.

Available details of all festivals and directions to get to them are on the SPORTS TOURS and the HOW TO GET THERE pages respectively of this web site. Drop in and support our boys. Have a shout for the Saints!

Most importantly, good luck to the St Charles College representatives -- enjoy yourselves, make good friends for life, learn a lot, and travel safely.

REPORTS FROM THE SCC HEAD OF SPORT, MR DAVE KARLSEN:

THURSDAY 1 APRIL 2010: The Head of Sport at St Charles College, Mr Dave Karlsen, writes, "Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival -- All sides have found it particularly tough going against some big rugby playing schools. With eight regulars missing due to injury and overseas holiday commitments the U14 side has shown great spirit and yesterday drew their game against while the U16 boys have played really well losing 14-3 to Hudson Park in a game that was much closer than the score suggests. Our U15 side has tackled manfully but have found themselves over-powered and out-sped in their games so far.

St Stithians Easter Festival
Rugby
The boys played solid rugby and once the early pre-season rough edges are sorted out our 1st XV should have a very good domestic season. (Comments Stewart Bradford & Luke Songwiqi)

Hockey
Our hockey boys continue to grow in stature and remain unbeaten after 5 games drawing 2-2 with the very strong St Stithian's side this afternoon conceding a goal in the dying seconds of the game.
In the morning session we has 90% of the game according to coach Andy McIntosh and should have won this game by half-time. Nevertheless the Zimbabweans fashioned two breakaways to even up the 2 - 2 scoreline. Gareth Dukes continues to dominate this season with two more goals while Michael Esteves and Mzamo Cele added one each.
(Comments Brett Campbell & Andy McIntosh)

SATURDAY 3 APRIL 2010: The Head of Sport at St Charles College, Mr Dave Karlsen, writes, "Skonk Nicholson Rugby Festival
Saturday is the last day of this festival and by now hopefully all coaches will have settled on their best combinations for the term.
The U14 team has been badly affected by unavailibilty and injury but the coach, Wayne Naidoo, remains very positive about the upcoming season.
Our U15 side has been heavily "outsized" at this festival and have played with all the courage and commitment expected from a St Charles College boy. Coach Dirk de Beer will have to use his years of experience and knowledge to get these lads performing at their best. This is the kind of challenge that always brings out the best in "Meneer" de Beer.
Our U16 side has really played top rugby and the team have gelled under the able and enthusiastic guidance of Coach Rod Isaacs. He is very upbeat about the upcoming season and has almost settled on his team for next term's efforts.

St Stithians Easter Festival
Hockey:
Andy McIntosh reports that they have played and beaten St Andrews Grahamstown 3-0 -- Goals: Gareth Dukes, Kalin Nundlall and Tuks Khumalo, but lost to Bishops (the top team at the Festival) 0-4. [The score difference could have been far higher had Joel Barron, goalie, not kept out at least 15 direct strikes at goal. Joel has had a superb tour, particularly in this match -- Webmaster.]

Rugby
In a game that St Charles should have won easily our First XV somehow conceded a breakaway try in the last moments of the game to lose narrowly 23 - 28. According to coach, Stewart Bradford, things are taking shape well for the term ahead."

__________________________________________________________

MONDAY 5 APRIL 2010. The Webmaster reports that the hockey match this morning against an Invitation XI was a very tough affair. Comprising boys from various strong hockey schools around Gauteng (KES and Northcliff High School were mentioned) this team beat the St Charles College First XI 0-1. In rainy and grey conditions, it was a hard-fought game with the goal coming in the second half. Saints' man-of-the-match, arguably, was Jonathan Esteves who defended manfully with the help of the other defenders.

The boys returned safely to Pietermaritzburg on Monday evening.

St Charles College thanks Maritzburg College and St Stithian's College for the wonderful hospitality, for the invitations to take part, and for the great experience gained from participating. Well played to all the boys. Thank you too to Mr Kevin Rall for taking photos in Randburg, for eMailing them to the web site and for supplying many more on disk.

PHOTOS:
1. (top of story) Wonderful camaraderie develops at Festivals. Here the hockey Saints gather at the fence surrounding the pitch to receive thanks from the rugby Saints after their game on Saturday. The hockey boys have also gathered a groupie from Rhenish Girls' College, Stellenbosch, who gather to egg on the Saints - thanks girls! Apparently Rhenish have gathered a St Charles support crew.
2. (below) Saturday: Andrew Botha scoring a try in the game against the FNB Invitation XV.
3. Saturday -- Gareth Dukes, Michael Esteves, Kalin Nundlall and Mzamo Cele during the St Andrew's College game.
4. Thursday's game against St Stithian's: Micahel Esteves and Mzamo Cele in action.
5. Jonathan Esteves in the games against Falcon, Zimbabwe. Backing up by Uli Fischer.
6. Left: Gareth Rall (Bishops game); Middle: Michael Esteves (Falcon game); Right: Michael Day (Falcon game).
7. Keith Stanger and Mzamo Cele.
8. In defence: Ryan Sclanders in the match against Falcon.
9. Rugby Saints prior to the match against the FNB Invitation team.
10. Rugby Saints prior to the match against the FNB Invitation team.
11. Rugby Saints lone representative, Juan Wessels in action against the FNB Invitation team.
12. Shaun McNamara in the match against the FNB Invitation team.
13. Support from the Hockey Saints with the Rhenish girls in support.
14. Aaron Caruth, Daniel Capsopolos and Vincent Potgieter.
15. Victor de Beer in the lineout with Zama Khumalo at scrum half.
16. The last line of defence for the hockey Saints: Jonathan Esteves, Gareth Rall, Michael Day and Ryan Sclanders.

(All photos: Mr Kevin Rall)

In Durban North hockey coach, Sam Hamman has the U14 hockey boys at the Ken Florens hockey festival at Northwood High School from Wednesday 7 April.

Webmaster | Pietermaritzburg | 2010 04 05

No need now to phone the College

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