Sport Results

Hockey Girls Stay Motivated

The constant changes to school sports regulations brought on by Covid-19 can make it hard for players to stay motivated in their respective sporting codes.
With the recent cessation of hockey skills’ training, Union’s coaches are finding new and innovative ways to ensure the players stay motivated and excited about the game.
During Ms Jacqui Jones’ recent practice session with the junior hockey girls, she employed Union’s Head Boy, Kyle-Luke du Preez, a SAHA-qualified umpire, to host a session with the players from an umpire’s point of view.
Kyle-Luke made use of video footage to demonstrate and explore the rules of hockey with the players. The girls thoroughly enjoyed the various discussions that ensued and interpreting the various ways they, as players, can manage the ball in the match scenarios presented to them by Kyle-Luke.
Sport Results

Good Luck Jade & Unathi!

𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 and 𝗕𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗙 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞 to Union High School’s Jade Edwards and Unathi April who were invited to participate in the final round of the EP u/18 hockey trials to be held on Sunday morning, 30 May at the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG).

Sport Results

Sport Results: Rugby vs Muir College

𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗫𝗩 𝘃𝘀 𝗠𝘂𝗶𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲
Union High School’s 1st XV played Muir College Boys’ High School in their annual derby day fixture at Union this past Saturday, 15 May.
Union started the match well by applying lots of pressure which the Muir College side struggled to deal with.
Union opened up a 9-0 lead through the boot of James Pienaar who kicked exceptionally well in very windy conditions. Muir College was relentless on attack, but Union was equal to the task on defence.
Union was unlucky to not have slotted another couple of penalties towards the end of the first half. Both teams created opportunities but failed to convert and assert dominance. Muir scored a converted try just before half-time, which ended 9-7 in favour of Union.
The second half was going to be tough as Union received a yellow card on the stroke of half-time. Union defended well during this period with 14 men only conceding a try. Muir then took the lead 12-9.
It was a match of multiple opportunities created by both sides and Union, unfortunately, failed to convert theirs. With 10 minutes to play, Union cut open the Muir defence but could not hold onto the last pass to score and regain the lead.
“I must commend the Union team, they played their hearts out and kept on trying until the final whistle,” commented coach Mr Christopher Felix. “This loss is hurting, but as a coach, I am proud of the way the boys played. Union had a last gasp at drawing the match but unfortunately failed to convert. My message was simple: keep on trying and enjoy the match. Which they did wholeheartedly.”
Congratulations to Muir College for taking the spoils 12-9.
Sport Results

Sport Fixtures 15 May

An exciting day of sport is lined up for this Saturday, 15 May, at Union High School as we welcome Muir College Boys’ High School for rugby and the Diocesan School for Girls for hockey to our campus.
We wish the participating teams the best of luck for their respective encounters!
[𝘜𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘺, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘊𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥, 𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘴.]
Rugby, Sport Results

New Kit For 1st XV

Union High School’s 1st XV received their new playing kit earlier today, Saturday, 8 May, thanks to the generous sponsorship provided by Botha’s Garage.
Mr Shawn Botha, of Botha’s Garage, visited the school today to present the jerseys to 1st XV captain Mihlali Tyanase. The team’s coach Mr Christopher Felix, commented “We are very grateful to our 1st XV sponsor for their support this season. Our players are putting a lot of time and effort into their rugby and the provision of new kits plays an important motivational role.”
Union High School is extremely grateful to Botha’s Garage for their support. We’re sure that anyone that has ever had dealings with the team at Botha’s Garage can attest to how extremely fortunate we are to have them involved at Union.
Seen here is Union’s 1st XV coach, Mr Christopher Felix, captain Mihlali Tyanase (Nr. and teammates Liso Binqela (Nr. 15) and MJ Newton (Nr. 9), accepting the kit from Mr Botha on behalf of the team.
Rugby, Sport Results

First Of The Season for UHS 1st XV

In 2020, Covid-19 destroyed many a Grade 12 learner’s dream of playing for his 1st XV, and, at one point, we could almost see 2020 repeating itself and we were all worried that the 2021 season could be over before it even began.
Needless to say, the resumption of school rugby in April was a welcome relief for all who love the game.
On Saturday, 8 May, Union High School’s 1st XV enjoyed a friendly match against Asherville Secondary School, their first since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The boys played the game with fierce enthusiasm and pride and suffice to say, we loved every minute of it, from the build-up with the war cry to the spectators supporting us from the back of their bakkies outside the school grounds.
We extend our thanks to Asherville Secondary School’s 1st XV for the friendly competition, the Union drivers for availing themselves on a Saturday to transport the Asherville players to the game and back and to the Union boys and their coach for, as always, making their school proud by giving it their best.
➡️ Next Saturday, 15 May, Union will play Muir College.
Sport Results

EP Hockey Trials

The first leg of the EP hockey trials (to determine which players from the region will be progressing to the next set of trials) was held at the Union High School AstroTurf this afternoon, Thursday, 6 May.
Players from Volkskool, Union and Cradock High School participated.
Congratulations to all those who took the field.
After the year-long hiatus on sports fixtures due to COVID-19, it was truly wonderful to see all the girls in action again
Sport Results

Cricket Results

𝟭𝘀𝘁 𝗫𝗜 𝘃𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗖
On 27 March, Union’s 1st XI played against the Standard Cricket Club in a 40 over match in Cradock.
Union won the toss and elected to bat first. The team was bowled out in the 30th over for 95.
James Pienaar (34) and James Pringle (13) top-scored for Union.
Old Unionite William Copeman – playing for Standard CC – was responsible for most of the damage to Union’s batting line-up, taking 6 wickets for 18 runs in 6 overs.
When Standard CC went in to bat, they managed to pass Union’s score in the 21st over.
Jarrod Naude (1/10 in 3 overs) was Union’s top batsman on the day.
Standard CC won by 9 wickets.
𝘂/𝟭𝟱𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝟮𝗻𝗱 𝗫𝗜
Union High School’s u/15 cricket team recently took the field against the school’s 2nd XI.
The 2nd team went in to bat first, scoring 221 all out in the 37th over.
The top scorers were Daniel Nell (89 not out), Dylan Kriel (39), Mihlali Tyanase (25) and JJ Liebenberg (13).
The u/15’s top batsman was Makukhanye de Beer, who took 5 wickets for 29 runs in 7,5 overs.
The u/15s were bowled out for 56 in the 16th over.
The 2nd team’s top bowler was Mihlali Tyanase (5/3 in 4 overs).
The 2nd team won by 165 runs.
Sport Results

UHS 1st XI vs BB Invitational

Union’s 1st team cricket boys travelled to the Asante Sana Private Game Reserve on Friday, 12 March, to take on the Brian Bands Invitational XI.
Brian Bands won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Union boys bowled with good control in windy conditions and managed to create chances very early on, but failed to capitalise by dropping a few catches.
This did not dampen the boys’ spirit, however, and they kept at it, restricting Brian Bands to 147 all out in 35 overs. Union’s best bowlers were Josh Calitz (4 for 17 in 5 overs) and Laythan Carelse (2 for 8 in 3 overs).
The Union team then went in to bat, chasing down the total of 147. The top order laid a solid foundation with some valuable partnerships upfront, combatting some excellent bowling from the Brian Bands cricketers.
In the end, Union managed to successfully cross the line, winning by 4 wickets, with 5 overs to spare.
Union’s best batsmen were Sisipho Arnols (32), Rogan Odendaal (31), Joshua Horne (22), Josh Calitz (18*) and MJ Newton (14*).
Cricket, Sport Results

A Return To Cricket

“𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘴? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺.” – Mike Singletary
More than a year after Covid-19 brought schools cricket to a halt, Union’s cricketers were excited to be able to take to the field again in two matches this past weekend – the first, against the Graaff-Reinet Cricket Club on Friday evening, 5 March, the second against the Brain Bands Invitation Team on Saturday morning, 6 March.
𝗧𝟮𝟬 𝘃𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗮𝗳𝗳-𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗖
Friday evening’s encounter against the Graaff-Reinet CC saw Union’s 1st XI take to the field at the Botanics Sports Grounds for a T20 match.
Graaff-Reinet CC won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Union boys took to the field with a positive energy, but was put under pressure right from the very first ball by the Club’s batsmen, who managed to conclude their innings with a total of 158 for 6. Union’s best bowler was Hlaki Skepe (3 for 27 in 4 overs).
Early damage to Union’s batting line-up caused by excellent swing bowling from the Club’s bowlers, saw the team in early trouble at 3 for 2. Chasing a total of 158 then became an insurmountable challenge, as wickets continued to fall. Union’s batsmen were bowled out for 72 runs. Dylan Kriel top-scored for Union with 14 runs, followed by Rogan Odendaal (12) and Josh Calitz (12).
𝟰𝟬 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘃𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀
On Saturday, 6 March, Union played against the Brian Bands Invitation Team at Union High School’s Minnaar Field.
The Union team was determined to improve on their performance from the previous evening and, with Union’s pitches starved of cricket, Union chose to bat first when they won the toss to take full advantage of a really good track.
Patience at the crease saw Union’s top order create a good platform, setting themselves up for a competitive total. Union managed to score 172 for 5 in their allotted 40 overs. Batsmen Jarrod Naude (38), Josh Calitz (31), James Pringle (20), MJ Newton (19) and James Pienaar (16) were the main contributors.
The Union team then took to the field with new-found confidence, striking early in the first over with a brilliantly executed delivery by Lihle Mxhunyelwa to disturb the woodwork, leaving the visitors at 0 for 1.
Shortly thereafter, Lihle struck again twice, and the Brian Bands team found themselves 3 wickets down with only 10 runs on the board.
Union continued to apply steady pressure through excellent bowling and fielding, holding onto 5 catches to dismiss the opposing team for 86.
Union’s best bowlers were Laythan Carelse (4 for 24), Lihle Mxhunyelwa (3 for 15) and James Pienaar (2 for 18).
The Union team must be commended on a brilliant team effort.