1964 OLD BOYS'REUNION Outof 102 pupils that left in 1964,thirteen boys arrived for the Founders' Day Reunion. Graham Sell flew in from Cape Town for the occasion. John Little and Davie Hall drove down from Johannes burg. All the boys, although older, still had their same sense of humour and enjoyed one another's company for the day. Approximately twelve to thirteen boys of the 1964 Leavers live abroad today and half of them were con tacted and reminded that it was 30 years since they had been at Kearsney. One hopes that they will stay in con tact with the College over the nextfew years and maybe one or two will appear for our 2004 Founder's Day. RALPHHEMING LOOKING BACK50YEARSPLUS ON KEARSNEY'S 1ST XV RUGBY In 1941 Kearsney had a wonderful U15team which was coached by Cyril Medworth, who later became Sports Editor of the Natal Mercury. Cyril was himself a very well equipped three quarter and in his prime played for Stellenbosch University and Western Province.His style of coaching was good hard forward scrummaging and lineouts,coupled with speedy swing passing three quar ter play. Back line kicking was kept to a minimum with the exception ofthe stab grubberkicksemployed tocoun ter the opposition for lining flat and negating running rugby. During this year,Cyrilforesaw the potential ofthis very well equipped U15 team which consisted of Trevor Calder,George Barnes,Henry Newton Walker(wholater became a Springbok), John Davey, Colin Rosenberg, Derek Damp,Harry Ivory, John Clarkson, J.S. Jensen, D.H.Percival,Alan Trenthan,Neil Nisbet,Ian McLeod, Ian Ives and Ronny McLeod. Peter Johnsson was the team's linesman. This U15team literally tore apart all other school teams in Natal that year and heralded the potential for Kearsney's entry into 1st XV rugby in the forthcoming season. Five members of this team were promoted to the 1st team the following year - those being Ian McLeod,Derek Damp,Ian Ives,Trevor Calder and J.S. Jensen. Kearsney's 1stXV in 1942consisted ofJ.S.Jensen,D.A. Rock,C.D.Nathan,L.Hume,O.Knaggs,E.C.L.Ayres, T. Calder,I. McLeod,P. Davidson,I. Coutts,N.Baxter, D.Beningfield,J.D.Alsopp,1.Ives,J.B.Trentham,D.E. Damp with Cyril Medworth ascoach who describes this epic decision in the 1942 Kearsney Chronicle as fol lows: "This year,for the first time in our history, we have played all schools'1stXV's. We admit that the decision was notan easy one, and that we were afraid we would be hopelessly outweighed andoutclassed; but, while the former certainly proved correct, the latter was not the case. Not only did the team respond nobly and give of their best, but they came within an ace ofdefeating one school renownedfor its pastteams. The number ofsen ior boys is stillfar too small to permit ofa really good all-round side, butthe spirit is admirable and the enthu siasm leaves nothing to be desired. The team is to be congratulatedon having gotthrough a heavyprogramme of matches so well. I. Coutts and D. Beningfield were invited to the Natal School Trials. I. McLeod and C.D. Nathan were unfortunate in sustaining injuries before the last match." The results for April 25th v. May 2nd v. May 9th v. May 16th v. May 23rd v. May 30th v. June 13th v. June 20th V. the year were: St Charles Hilton DHS Michaelhouse Clenwood Marists Old Crocks Estcourt away lost 3-14 away lost 0-33 home lost 6-8 home lost 3-II away lost 8-12 away won 12-6 home won 14-6 home won 16-13 Considering the school in those days consisted of boys ranging from Std 3to Std 10-there were only about50 boys senior enough to be able to be considered for such a daunting step, but this did not deter Cyril Medworth and the results pay testimony to this. 1943 saw the building of a stronger and more experi enced 1St XV side with the promotion of a further five members ofthe magnificent U15 side which continued to demoralise all other schools in this division. Those members promoted were Ronnie McLeod, George Barnes,John Davy,Alan Trentham and Newton Walker. The full 1st XV team for this year was A. Trentham, E.C.L. Ayres, 1. Ives, J.A. Clarkson, J.B. Trentham,N. Theunissen, R. McLeod, C. Barnes, C.J. Davy, D.A. Rock, C.M. Gillies, D.E. Damp, H.N. Walker, I.C. McLeod,C.D. Nathan, T. Calder with Cyril Medworth as coach. A truly fine team had been moulded and the experience and confidence ofthe players was beginning to emerge as can be seen from the results below.Two losses and a draw against schools with 500 boys plus could quite easily have gone in Kearsney's favour. May 8th V. Marists home won 17-3 May 22nd V. Voortrekker away won 14-6 May 29th V. DHS away lost 0-6 May 31st V. Old Crocks home won 30-6 June 5th V. Clenwood home won 18-8 June 12th V. St Charles home won 12-3 June 26th V. M'College home lost 3-8 Aug 14th V. DHS home draw 3-3 Aug 21St V. Marists away won 9-3 1944 mustsurely be the culmination ofCyril Medworth's four year 1st XV rugby plan, resulting in his building a 1st XV rugby side which is the greatest team that Kearsney has ever produced. Characters ofthe 1944 1st XV Team: DAVEY,C.J.(Captain)(Scrum-half) On attack he varied, but improved tremendously in the second term. His defence was at all times a tower of strength to the side.He made a quietand unselfish leader and was always a good example. DAMP,D.(Vice-captain)(Centre) Played consistently well the whole season and would have gone even further had he hadjust played that extra two yards of pace. Defence very sound,kicks and han dles well and varies his attack. CALDER,T.(Forward) A consistently good forward in set and loose, always Kearsney Chronicle 1994 125
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