Mr Price Kearsney College Fun Day

A successful day's rugby was played for all that took part in the Mr Price Kearsney College Fun Day held at Kearsney College, Botha's Hill on 8 June. A full compliment of teams competed in the tag and touch rugby festivals which was the build-up to the main game.

Chilly weather greeted the eLan Rugby Legends Old Crocks team when they took on the Kearsney First team in the 78th Old Crocks game between the two teams which this year had a successful tag-team and fund-raising component.

During half time, the sporting proceedings were put on hold when Kearsney's Headmaster, Elwyn Van Den Aardweg, presented three contributions to the selected beneficiaries of the day. A top of the range computer was handed over to Vryheid resident, Vic Delport, who was injured in a rugby game in 1991, injuring his C4 full spinal cord. Delport runs his own gym in Vryheid and also helps organise the Demonia Cycle race which is recognised on the annual cycling calendar. The other beneficiaries were Cedric Mkhize, a former Maritzburg College and Sharks player and Kearsney Old Boy, Tom Rout who was injured in a car accident last year. A total of R50,000 was raised from the day for the three former rugby players.

The tag rugby festival was a great success. For many it was their first experience of this version of the game. Two tags were strapped onto all the players and are ripped off from the belt when a tackle is made, making it easily identifiable.

All the games took place in spectacular environment with mist rolling in across the fields and a light drizzle adding to the perfect rugby playing conditions, but this did not interrupt the fast paced games that were underway.

The main game was met with much enthusiasm from the crowds who were packed under the shelter of the grand stand. Fifteen strapping school lads took on a well oiled and youthful eLan Rugby Legends team. The game proved to be a well fought battle between the up-and-coming-players and the more experienced players.

Prizes were handed out to all of the teams that finished in top positions on the day. Results were:
Schools Touch Rugby: 1st Maritzburg College; 2nd Glenwood High School
Primary Schools Touch Rugby: 1st Westville Primary School; 2nd Hillcrest Primary School
Companies Touch Rugby: 1st The Purple Cobras; 2nd Midlands
Woman's Touch rugby: 1st: Team Naughty; 2nd: The Diving Divas
Inter- School Touch Rugby: Juniors: 1st Sheffield House; 2nd Gillingham House
Inter - School Touch Rugby: Seniors: 1st Sheffield House; 2nd Gillingham House

On conclusion of the prize giving, the Kearsney College school boys stood and sang an emotional Shosholoza with their first team standing proudly in front of them.

The second half saw lots of action on both sides of the pitch with the Old Crocks being tested in defence and showing an almost impenetrable back line. The 'Old Timers' showed their experience and with some wonderful breaks by Deon Kayser managed to secure more points on the board, finishing with a total of 39-5.

Legends such as Deon Kayser; Pieter Muller; Trevor Halstead; John Slade; Conan Sharman; Dieter Kriese and Andile Nyembezi took to the field for the annual clash for the eLan Rugby Legends Old Crocks team.

When presented with the trophy, John Slade said, "This is a wonderful tradition between the two teams, one that we look forward to." Following him CEO of the South African Rugby Legends Association, coach for the Old Crocks, John Allan smiled, "just like the Springboks have got a new look younger team, we have taken on the same approach. This is possibly the best team that we have ever fielded so the firsts did extremely well against us today."

Cold wet conditions ended on a high with the eLan Rugby Legends Old Crocks team securing yet another victory in the annual clash against the Kearsney First team