This was a free weekend for Maritzburg College, which saw the school host the exciting inaugural Jenny Orchard Basketball tournament. Sixteens schools from around the country sent U19 and U14 teams to take part. The U19 matches took part at College, while U14 games were held at PMB GHS.

Basketball 1st team report
Pietermaritzburg was the place to be this past weekend as the inaugural Jenny Orchard Invitational took centre stage. For three days Maritzburg College and Pietermaritzburg Girls High, our co-host, were a hive of activity. Maritzburg College’s first team started off the tournament on fire winning their first three games with ease. This set up an exciting quarter final match with tournament favourites St David’s. In packed APH arena, the crowd at full capacity and without star guard Kuhle Mthimkhuku, who suffered an ankle injury in the previous game, it was game on. St David’s dominated proceedings with S Radebe tormenting College with his long distance shooting. An injury
to one of the St David’s players halted proceedings for a while, allowing College to regroup and dig deep, eventually wining the match 54-43.

A semi-final beckoned with MHS who College had convincingly beat three weeks prior. Unfortunately, College did not get out of 1st gear against MHS in what was a low-scoring game, and scored the lowest points total they have posted the entire season. Still without star guard Mthimkhulu, the loss to MHS was hard to take with a final score of 28-37. The final game was a 3rd and 4th playoff vs Kearsney took a similar turn to MHS, and although a much-improved effort offensively, College left it all too late. College maned to finish 4th in the tournament. Lwandle Dlamini was outstanding throughout the tournament earing himself a spot on the ALL star team.

Photo: Former staff member, Mrs Jenny Orchard with College’s 1st basketball team at the recent Jenny Orchard basketball tournament. Credit: Justin Waldman Sports Photography

Maritzburg College’s overall results 1st team

• Vs Queens won 72-5
• Vs Clifton won 55-27
• Vs Enjabulweni won 77-18
• Vs St David’s won 54-43
• Vs Michaelhouse lost 37-28
• Vs Kearsney lost 53-61
• 1st team came 4th; special mention to L Dlamini on making the all-star team.

14A

• Vs Kearsney lost 39-46
• Vs Westville won 47-9
• Vs St David’s lost 39-41
• Vs Clifton won 46-15
• Vs DHS won 45-40
• Vs Bishops lost 36-40
• 14A came 6th

14B

• Vs SCC lost 42-53
• Vs Bishops lost 12-34
• Vs Northwood lost 12-45
• Vs DHS lost 29-53
• Vs Westville lost 40-42
• 14B came 10th (playing against A teams)

Canoeing

A number of College boys, old boys and our canoe coach all took part in the 2023 Dusi Canoe marathon. Congratulations to three of our OC’s who finished in the top five positions; Andy Birkett who won for an unbelievable 13th time, as well as Dave Evan (3rd) and Scott Little (4th). Our canoe team are coached by the exceptionally talented Brigitte Hartley who finished second in the ladies’ race. College’s current boys all had good races posting the following results:

K1

• Jack Odell 8th U/18
• Chris Adam 10th U/18

K2

• Simon Norton and Tom Ross (OC) 2nd U/23 and 14th K2
• Scott Adie and Simon Heaver 25th Open K2
• Luke O’Connor and Gary O’Connor(dad) 33rd K2 and 1st father and son team home!