The last round of fixtures for term 1 saw Maritzburg College up against Northwood in the main, with a full round of rugby and hockey fixtures played. The U15A and U15B tennis teams travelled to Michaelhouse for a full day of mixed doubles cup tennis, and the College squash team closed off a successful first term with a 10-0 win.

Rugby

Twenty-two teams took to the fields against Northwood on a very hot Saturday. College dominated across the age categories winning 19 of the 22 games. They will be disappointed to have lost in the last few seconds of the 1st XV game after leading for much of the match.
1st XV match report (Mr Nico Breedt, 1st XV coach Conditions were perfect for the first home fixture of the 2025 season against Northwood. Both teams were eager for the opportunity to improve on their opening encounters of the season and build some momentum.
An early yellow card put College under obvious pressure and Northwood scored the opening try under the posts and converted. College came close to crossing Northwood’s line a couple of times but couldn’t capitalise. They did however kick two penalties to keep within range of the visitors and went into halftime trailing 6-10.
The second half saw College build more pressure and cross the line twice converting once, as well as kicking another penalty. With eight minutes to go College seemed to have taken control of the game, leading 21-10. College had another promising attacking line out opportunity but crucially conceded the ball and Northwood took possession and took play within 5m of College’s goal line. A scrum penalty was conceded by College, Northwood kicked into the corner and proceeded to maul and score their first points of the second half. The score stood at 21-17 with 4 minutes to go.
College did not kick the restart 10m and gave Northwood a middle scrum on the half line. Play was taken wide from the scrum and upon taking it wide again, Northwood scored under the poles taking the lead 21-24. The exit from the restart was charged down and final play of the game was a defensive line out to our visitors. College contested successfully, regaining possession and the ball was moved quickly to the wing but heart brokenly knocked on. Game over.

A much improved performance for College and although a bitter pill to swallow, and there is much to look forward for the remainder of the season.

Summary of scores

U19:

• 1st vs Northwood L 21-24
• 2nd vs Northwood W 24-7
• 3rd vs Northwood W 15-12
• 4th vs Northwood W 29-7
• 5th vs Northwood W 32-5
• 6th vs Northwood W 35-5
• 7th vs Alex 1st W 29-10
• 8th vs Michaelhouse W 20-24
• 9th vs Michaelhouse W 25-20
• 10th vs Michaelhouse W 26-14

U16:

• 16A vs Northwood L 26-45
• 16B vs Northwood W 17-7
• 16C vs Northwood W 25-17
• 16D vs Northwood W 24-19
• 16E vs Northwood W 41-12
• 16F vs Haythorne Secondary L 12-17

U15:

• 15A vs Northwood W 20-19
• 15B vs Northwood W 10-5
• 15C vs Northwood W 6-3
• 15D vs Northwood W 44-12
• 15E vs Northwood W 27-12
• 15F vs Linpark 15A L 10-46

U14:

• 14A vs Northwood W 26-12
• 14B vs Northwood W 36-0
• 14C vs Northwood W 29-12
• 14D vs Northwood W 50-0
• 14E vs Northwood W 41-12
• 14F vs Linpark 14A L 5-36

Hockey

Up against a competitive Northwood hock fraternity, College won six of their games, and drew three, losing seven. The 1st XI Red Army took the lead early on in their match, and at one stage were 2-0 up before eventually losing 3-4.
1st XI match report (Mr Mark Sanders, Director of Hockey and 1st XI coach)
Maritzburg College 1st XI looked forward to taking on Northwood on Pape’ s in their second game in three days.
The DHS encounter on Wednesday would have taken its toll and would place a few questions about their pre-season and overall conditioning. Just to make this encounter a little more interesting, playing at midday in the heat would prove to be another factor in testing both teams.
The game started in a somber manner as both teams joined arms in the center of the turf and paid their respect with a minute’s silence for the young Glenwood learner who tragically passed away earlier in the week. The College family extends deepest sympathy to the boy’s family and the entire Glenwood community with this sad loss.
College took an early lead in the 3rd minute of the game through a well worked transition out the back and down the right-hand side. Sithembu received the ball unmarked in the Northwood 23-meter area and drove into the circle and offloaded the ball to van der Vliet to turn the ball into the goals to go 1-0 up.
College started the 2nd quarter in the same manner with a well-won penalty corner by the captain Uyanda Dlamini. Dane Jackson attempted the flick towards the goal but never picked it up cleanly enough and the ball trickled into the goals for College’s second goal of the half.
Some complacency through poor decision making and tackling saw Northwood level the game just as the halftime whistle blew. The intent shown by Northwood was admirable. College conceded a penalty stroke late in the 3rd quarter and shortly after, a 4th goal in open play. College would need to fight hard in the 4th quarter to pull themselves back into the game. They managed to score a 3rd goal but ran out of time to level the game ending with a final score of 3-4, and will look back on this result after playing some very good hockey, and think about missed opportunities and lessons learned.

Summary of results

• 1st vs Northwood L 3-4
• 2nd vs Northwood W 2-0
• 3rd vs Northwood D 1-1
• 4th vs Northwood W 2-1
• 5th vs Northwood L 1-2

U16:

16A vs Northwood L 0-1
16B vs Northwood L 2-5
16C vs Northwood L 0-1
16D vs Northwood L 1-2
16E vs Northwood W 3-0
16F vs Northwood W 3-2

U14:

• 14A vs Northwood W 3-1
• 14B vs Northwood D 1-1
• 14C vs Northwood D 0-0
• 14D vs Northwood L 0-3
• 14E vs Northwood W 7-5

Squash

Congratulations to College’s squash team who were unbeaten in KZN league this term, and finished on a high last week, winning their final match 10-0. Special mention goes to Bandile Mahaye and Veer Premchund, who were unbeaten this season (including the tour).