113 112 The Chronicle 2021 Centenary Edition The uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic continued into 2021. As a result, what should have been a glorious celebration of cricket at Kearsney in our centenary year was characterised by another fractured, unsettled, and disjointed season. Unlike the start of the 2020 season, when we were able to play a complete set of fixtures in Term 1, 2021 started where 2020 left off – no inter-school fixtures, in the first term due to a rising infection rate and a level 3 lock down. As a result, we decided to hold an extended inter-house cricket competition for the first six weeks of Term 1. Despite the logistical challenges this posed, we could get as many cricketers as possible to participate. In this regard, I would like to thank Mr Jordan Gregory for putting together the programme and the Housemasters for embracing this extended competition. We were relieved to start playing inter-schools fixtures and attend cricket festivals towards the end of Term 3. Some age groups weathered the disjointed year better than others. Still, we slowly showed improvement across all age groups as the season progressed. While we are still some way from reaching our desired goals and outcomes, we are on the right track, and we are confident that 2022 will be a much-improved year from a cricketing perspective. We are blessed to have the services of so many capable and committed schoolmasters. I believe that we shall see this pay dividends in the long term. We experienced several personnel changes this year. Director of Sport Mr Keith Thompson was able to begin a well-earned retirement after many years of loyal and selfless service to sport at Kearsney. I had the pleasure and privilege of working with Keith for the past 15 years and can attest to his consummate professionalism and willingness to do the “right thing” in schoolboy sport. He will be sorely missed, but we thank him for his service to the College. We were fortunate to obtain the services of Mr Waylon Murray as Director of Sport and Mr Ndumiso Cele as his assistant in the sports office. Both gentlemen hit the ground running and seamlessly integrated into the hurly-burly of running sport at the College in their calm and professional manner. Both gentlemen have been outstanding in their support of cricket, and we appreciate their wholehearted involvement and commitment to the sport. With the departure of Grounds and Gardens Supervisor, Mr Ayanda Peter, earlier in the year, we were incredibly fortunate to obtain the services of Mr Luke Slatter. Luke joined us after spending a couple of years in the UK. He made his mark from the outset, and his meticulous care of our fields and middles has been phenomenal. His hands-on approach to the preparation and maintenance of the fields and facilities, along with his hard-working and equally dedicated ground staff, is greatly valued. Despite a somewhat disjointed and truncated season, some of our teams could participate in cricket festivals. The 1st XI took part in the Michaelmas Cricket Festival and was fortunate to play all their matches on our picturesque A H Smith Oval. They had some exciting games against some of the top cricketing schools in the country, including an impressive win over the highly-rated Jeppe side. The three-day U14 Charl van Rooyen Cricket Festival, where ten teams participated, was held at Kearsney during the Michaelmas holidays. All matches were in the T20 format to allow as much cricket as possible. Despite the unpredictable weather and a day being lost to rain, all teams played four matches. The participating schools enjoyed the festival, and it was great to welcome spectators back to campus again. A big thank you is also extended to Highbury Prep, who graciously offered us the use of their oval for the festival’s duration. We sadly bid farewell to staff members who coached cricket at the end of this year. Mr Greg Thomson and his wife have decided to travel extensively. We will undoubtedly miss his cricket expertise and acumen. He successfully coached the U14A and U15A sides during his time at Kearsney. We thank him for his services to the sport. Mr Kyle Eysele will be pursuing other interests in the USA, and we also thank him for his services to the sport. His involvement with the U15A and U16A sides, in particular, is much appreciated. We are extremely fortunate to have many people available to ensure that cricket runs smoothly. My thanks and heartfelt appreciation are extended to the following: Mr Waylon Murray and Mr Ndumiso Cele in the Sports Office; Mr Luke Slatter and his grounds staff; Mr Cliff Hunter in the Estates department; Mrs Sigrid Ceronio and her catering staff; Mrs Karen Seals in the Estates department for coordinating cleaning services and the setting up of functions; Mr Gary Richie at St Charles College for the organising of 1st XI umpires for Saturday matches; Mrs Sandy Dunnett for her handling of transport arrangements; the parents for their support and loyalty throughout a challenging year due to the pandemic; and the players who continue to uphold the high standards of play, behaviour and etiquette associated with Kearsney College. After 15 years at the helm, I will be stepping down as MIC of Cricket at the end of this year. It was an honour and a privilege to serve the sport at Kearsney. I wish my successor everything of the best for 2022 and beyond. Mr Neil Peacock MIC Cricket Cricket Overview Kearsney Cricket Staff We continue to have significant representation in cricketing circles in KZN, and we congratulate the following staff members: Mr Dean Moodley - President of KZN High Schools Cricket; Mr André van Zyl – Convenor of selectors – KZN Coastal U19 cricket; Mr Hubert van Ellewee – KZN Coastal U16 selector. Special Awards: Honours: Dylan Hulett Honours: Dean Gibbs Colours: Matthew McMurray Colours: Louis Nel Colours: Bryce van der Merwe Half Colours: Rubin Rheeder Fielder of the Year: Dylan Hulett Batsman of the Year: Dylan Hulett Bowler of the Year: Matthew McMurray/ Bryce van der Merwe (shared) All-rounder of the Year: Hayden Bishop Most Promising Player of the Year: Ross Coetzee Players’ Player of the Year: Dean Gibbs Catch of the Year: Dylan Wiggett Fifers: Hayden Bishop (7/30 vs Westville); Matthew McMurray (5/37 vs Grey College), Rubin Rheeder (5/36 vs Northwood). Centuries: Dylan Hulett (100* vs Northwood) Provincial selections After extensive KZN Coastal trials held at Kearsney over several weeks, the following Kearsney boys were selected to represent their province in cricket weeks to be held in December this year: KZN U19 Coastal: Dean Gibbs; Dylan Hulett KZN U16 Coastal: Ross Coetzee; Hayden Bishop Congratulations to these players on their selection.
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