The school year is quickly coming to an end, but now is a very important period for the sports stars of Nelson Mandela Bay.
Many are competing in various prestigious events, some even at international level, all over the world.
The indoor cricketers are leading the way. Eastern Province is very well represented in the South African age group sides playing in the junior World Series in Dubai. The tournament ends on Friday.
Lana von Hagen of Woodridge College is captaining the u/17 Girls’ team, which includes Bianca Graham of Alexander Road High School.
Nathan Howell of Grey High is the only EP player in the u/17 A Boys’ team. Aiden de Klerk (DF Malherbe) is playing for the u/15 Boys, while Edrich de Klerk (Grey) and Ruben Aylward (DF Malherbe) are part of the u/15 A Boys’ team.
Dandré Henwick of Sunridge Primary is carrying the flag for EP in the u/13 team.
Gqeberha is further represented by Wessel Wolmarans as the manager of the SA u/17 A Boys; Theresa Wolmarans is the manager of the u/17 Girls and the coach of the u/15 A team is Heinie Aylward.
On the traditional cricket scene, the first teams of Gqeberha schools Pearson High and Grey High were involved in the prestigious Cape Schools Week, which started on a rainy note in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
Both sides were in fine form leading up to this tournament. Pearson was impressive in beating Milnerton by 125 runs. Owen Reyneke-Barnard shone with the bat and Cayden Wilson with the ball.
Another Gqeberha team, Framesby, played in the annual festival of Point High in Mossel Bay. The Kariega teams of Die Brandwag and Daniel Pienaar also competed at the festival.
Next week Grey High will take on some very strong opposition in the annual North South T20 tournament in Pretoria.
Matches will be played from October 12 to 15 at various venues. Grey will start their campaign against Menlopark.
The next day they will play two matches. They will face SACS first and then take on their East Cape neighbour, St Andrews College (Makhanda), in the second clash.
On the last two days the play-offs will take place according to the results.
Grey will be hoping to be involved in the final on October 15.
Good news for Bay cricketers who will be part of the EP u/19 squad is that they won’t have to travel too far for this year’s Khaya Majola Week in December.
Graeme College in Makhanda will be the headquarters and will be hosting the main match every day.
