Rugby, Sport Results

Coaches Prep for 2020 Rugby Season

This past weekend, nine dedicated members of the Union Schools’ staff attended a World Rugby Level 2 coaching course.

The course was presented by Mr Anthony Heugh (World Rugby Coaching Educator) and was facilitated at Union High School over the course of two days.

The course was aimed at enhancing the participants’ coaching capability and technical knowledge.

The weekend’s activities included board sessions, theory work, video analysis and practical sessions with the school’s 1st XV squad.

The coaches will complete the second part of the course in May, the successful completion of which will see them earn their World Rugby Level 2 qualification.

Sport Results, Tennis

EP Selection – Tennis

Congratulations to Tara Ferreira, Matthew Paxton and Caytah-Leigh Koeberg who were recently selected to represent the Eastern Cape at the upcoming Inter-Provincial Primary and High Schools national tennis tournament to be held from 9 to 12 April.

These players were selected during trials played in January.

Tara will represent the province as part of their Girls u/13 team, Caytah-Leigh will be playing for the Girls u/15 team and Matthew will be playing for the Eastern Cape Aloes Boys u/13 team.

Union High School is proud of the depth of our tennis talent and congratulate our players on the honour of representing the Eastern Cape. Provincial selection is the result of long hours on the tennis court practising and is recognition of their talent and passion for the sport.

Sport Results

Biathlon Inter-Provincial

Eight Union biathletes were invited to represent the Eastern Province at the Highgate Inter-Provincial competition in Oudtshoorn this past Saturday, 1 February.

They were Jakobus Reynolds, Mack Rubidge, Bowen Langmead, Mia Botha, Rebecca Copeman, Jade Shires, Elias Railton and Tyra Binney.

Of these eight, two were able to attend.

Mia Botha & Rebecca Copeman

Youngsters Mia Botha (Grade 4) and Rebecca Copeman (Grade 6) showed true grit, taking on the best of the best in sweltering 37˚C weather.

Facing some stiff competition from the likes of the Boland, Border, Eden, Southern Free State and Western Province, the two biathletes were in high spirits, performing to the best of their abilities and representing their school and province very well.

Sport Results

Snr Cricket Results vs Stirling

This past weekend, Union’s 1st XI faced Stirling High School in a declaration match played over two days.

The match, which commenced on Friday afternoon, 31 January, and concluded on Saturday, 1 February, saw Stirling winning the toss and electing to bat first at the start of play.

Union managed to bowl 43 overs in the allotted time for the day and had Stirling at 129 for 6 at the close of play.

On Saturday, Stirling resumed their innings and Union managed to strike early with two quick wickets.

Union, however, couldn’t capitalise on their efforts and allowed Stirling to reach a total of 184 all out.

Union’s best bowlers were Jaden Brotherton (3 for 21), James Pienaar (2 for 16) and Kyle-Luke du Preez (2 for 22).

Despite a solid start when Union went in to bat, they continued to lose wickets regularly and struggled to put partnerships together resulting in Union being bowled out for 132.

The Union team members who performed best with the bat during their first innings were James Pienaar (33) and James Pringle (29).

This resulted in Stirling proceeding with their second innings with a 52-run lead.

With Union needing to take only 5 wickets to restrict Stirling from gaining a substantial lead, they had the perfect start taking a wicket with the very first ball.

Union proceeded to bowl well and had Stirling at 19 for 2 in their second innings.

Unfortunately, the Union team was unable to sustain the needed pressure and Stirling managed to score 120 for 3, declaring with a 172-run lead.

Union needed to, therefore, score 173 runs to win the match with only 5 wickets in hand, however, Stirling declared late in the day leaving Union only 40 minutes to bat with them trying to take the 5 wickets for victory.

In the end, Union managed to bat out the time losing only one wicket for 30 runs.

Union’s best batsmen were James Pienaar (19 not out) and Jaden Brotherton (11 not out).

The match ended in a draw.

• Congratulations to Jaden Brotherton and Bowen Langmead on being awarded their 50th test caps for Union’s 1st XI before the match against Stirling.

 

Sport Results, Swimming

Swimming: B Age Group Gala

Eleven Union High School swimmers participated in the ‘B’ Age Group Gala at the Newton Park Swimming Pool in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, 1 February, competing in 24 events in total.

It was a debut meeting for swimmers Grace Kemp, Matthew Davenport, Daniel Marais and Luc Railton.  These swimmers did very well and will now be able to compete to improve their times at future meetings.

Standout performances included Tya Binney, James Potgieter and Max Price who swam two Personal Bests each.

Well done to all those who participated!

Cricket, Sport Results

UHS Honours Cricketers

Union High School is exceptionally proud of its rich tradition and reputation for sporting excellence on the cricket field.

The history of Union High School credits Mr Herby Arnott, a legendary headmaster at Union High School during the 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s, with establishing cricket as one of the school’s premier sports.

Having been a superior player himself, and with his firm belief in the value of cricket as an educational tool, Herby Arnott developed cricket at the school with vigour during his tenure as headmaster.

Ever since, the success of Union’s cricket can be attributed to the legions of passionate players and coaches who have ensured that the greatest of games continues to flourish within the confines of Union’s magnificent grounds.

In honour of all these cricket players who have made the sport at the school what it is today, Union has erected a permanent reminder of the best batting and bowling performances in the history of the sport at Union.

Affixed to the walls of the Tony Burrell Union is a brand new permanent installation of cricket plaques celebrating all the centuries and five-wicket hauls made by Union’s cricketers.

It is hoped that the installation, which was officially unveiled during the 2020 Founders’ Weekend, will serve as an incentive for Union’s cricketers to excel, and by so doing, earn themselves a lasting place in the history of Union’s cricket – alongside some of Union’s greatest players.

• Old Unionites, visitors, parents and the school’s young cricketers are invited to have a look at the installation when next at the Tony Burrell Union – it truly provides a wonderful walk down memory lane.

• Any Old Boys who played the sport are also encouraged to let us know if a batting or bowling performance has been omitted on the installation. Send through any information pertaining to the above to uhsmarketing@unionschools.co.za

 

Sport Results

Snr Cricket Results vs HVS

On Thursday afternoon, 30 January, Union High School’s 1st XI competed against Hoër Volkskool in the national Cricket South Africa (CSA) T20 Challenge.

Volkskool won the toss and elected to bat first, scoring a total of 63 in their allotted 20 overs.

Union’s best bowlers were Lihle Mxhunyelwa (2 for 9), James Pienaar (2 for 6) and Kyle-Luke du Preez (2 for 6).

Union then went in to bat and maintained a steady run rate from the get-go, managing to pass Volkskool’s score with only two wickets down in the 9th over.

Union’s best batsmen were Sisipho Arnols (33 not out), Jaden Brotherton (16) and Brett Amsterdam (12 not out).

Union won the match by 8 wickets.

Sport Results

Jnr Cricket Results vs LVS

Union’s u/13A cricketers were all smiles after a great afternoon of cricket against their local rivals, Laer Volkskool.  The T20 match played on Wednesday, 29 January, saw the Union team winning the toss and electing to bat.

A good opening partnership gave Union’s batsmen the necessary momentum to bat with freedom leading to a respectable total of 199/3 after their allotted 20 overs.

The Union boys then took to the field with excitement and intent, as the opening bowlers immediately hit the right lines to put their opposition under immense pressure.

Laer Volkskool was bowled out for 14 runs after 5.4 overs leading to a 185-run victory for Union.

The match was played in great spirit and Volkskool has to be commended for the lovely sportsmanship displayed during this match.

Union’s top performers were Shaakir Kazi (52 runs and 11/2) and Jade Lothering (33 runs).

Sport Results

Cricketers Capped

It was a proud moment as cricketers Jarrod Naudé, Josh Calitz, Rogan Odendaal and Sisipho Arnols were capped by their principal Mr William Pringle.

Brett Amsterdam and Mr William Pringle

The boys received their 1st XI caps prior to their Founders’ Weekend game against the Old Boys on Saturday, 25 January.

50 Caps for Brett

A special word of congratulations is extended to Brett Amsterdam who received his 50th cap for the 1st XI from Mr William Pringle on Saturday.

Well done Brett on this wonderful achievement!