St Charles College versus Kearsney (Basketball as reported by Head Coach, Darren Holcomb) St Charles College travelled to Kearsney for the final fixture of the summer season for what was sure to be a tightly contested affair. With Kearsney having won the previous encounter at SCC during the fourth term, the visitors were very keen to show that they had improved with an away win. The game was extremely tight, with the largest lead throughout the game being seven points. St Charles College had a few small runs behind their good defense; however, Kearsney were always up to the challenge and clawed their way back. Heading into the final period with a small lead, the Saints managed to open the gap to seven points, however, the home team was once again able to respond and pull the game within one point in the dying seconds. With both teams in full panic mode, neither team was able to score again, the Saints were able to hang on for a single-point victory 64 – 63.

A Hard-Fought Finale to the Cricket Season (as reported by Head Coach, Divan van Wyk)

The final summer sports fixture of the season was a gripping contest of achievement and heartbreak as St Charles College travelled to Kearsney College to compete on their picturesque oval in Botha’s Hill. Opting to bowl first—an uncommon strategy in schoolboy cricket—St Charles College made the decision based on a week of heavy rains at Kearsney, hoping to capitalise on the conditions.

Opening bowlers Rowen Rajah and Caleb Sharp once again set the tone for a disciplined and controlled start, restricting Kearsney’s scoring opportunities from the outset. Their relentless accuracy and tight lines ensured that Kearsney was effectively kept quiet in the first 10 overs, unable to gain any real momentum. This trend continued through to tea, with the entire bowling attack executing their plans superbly. By the halfway mark, Kearsney was under pressure at 65 for 3 after 25 overs—a testament to St Charles College’s ability to build pressure and control the tempo of the game.

A standout performance with the ball came from Keegan Vermaak, who showed immense resilience by playing through an injury for most of the game. Despite the setback, he delivered a brilliant spell, picking up 5 wickets for just 35 runs in his 10 overs. His ability to break partnerships and keep the opposition under pressure was instrumental in restricting Kearsney’s total.

Picture Credits – Justin Waldman. Saints all-rounder, Keegan Vermaak, was in great form for the Blue & Gold on Saturday.

After the break, Kearsney managed to accelerate, using their wickets in hand effectively to push their total to 173. Despite the late surge, St Charles College’s bowlers can take great pride in their ability to contain the opposition for much of the innings, showcasing disciplined line-and-length bowling and sharp fielding throughout.

Chasing 173, openers Thando Zama and Keegan Vermaak provided the ideal start for the visitors, forming a composed and confident partnership of 56 runs. Their positive intent and shot selection put St Charles College in a commanding position early on. Keegan Vermaak played with fluency and control, finding gaps with ease. However, to continue the attacking momentum, he fell after a well-played 20, caught at deep midwicket while looking to clear the boundary for a third consecutive time.

This wicket triggered a brief period of instability, but the ever-reliable Rowen Rajah and the exciting young talent Ryan Clarke steadied the innings with a mature and composed partnership of over 60 runs. Their ability to rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries once again put St Charles College in the driver’s seat, keeping the required run rate in check.

As the chase neared its climax, the pressure of accelerating towards the finish line led to a few crucial mistakes, resulting in wickets falling at key moments. Despite the valiant effort, St Charles College fell just 10 runs short of the target.

Although the result was not in the Saints’ favour, there are many positives to take away from this performance. The team demonstrated immense potential, with disciplined bowling, sharp fielding, and strong partnerships showcasing the depth of talent within the squad. Special credit must go to Keegan Vermaak, whose all-round performance—both with the ball and bat—was a testament to his determination and skill. Congratulations to Kearsney College for their resilience and teamwork, and for playing the game in great spirit. As we wrap up the summer cricket season, we look forward to the challenges and opportunities that the Term 3–4 cricket season will bring. This group of players has shown they can compete at the highest level, and with continued growth and experience, the future of St Charles College cricket looks bright.