Michaelhouse squash power on show at KZN Closed

25 April 2023

Michaelhouse staked its claim as the leading schoolboy squash power in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend, with excellent results in the KZN Closed Junior Squash Tournament, played at the Westville Squash Club.

Claiming pride of place were Jacob Sinclair (photo above), ranked number one in the province, in the under-19 age group, and Joshua Hoatson, who finished second to his schoolmate. Nathan Hoatson finished in fourth spot to give ‘House three of the top four finishers in the senior age group.

Ben Harper also finished in the top 10, while Anesu Nduru finished just outside of the top 10 after being forced to pull out of the event with an injury.

Under-16 champion

Justin Higginson gave Michaelhouse two champions when he annexed the under-16 title. Behind him, Connor Hatfield placed 10th and Sumeshin Naidoo 15th. Harry Porter enjoyed a decent showing in his very first tournament, finishing 20th.

Callum Fly came close to giving Michaelhouse another winner, but he had to settle for second in the under-14 age group.

One of the best

In mid-February, Michaelhouse proved it belongs among the top squash schools in South Africa, when both the 1st and 2nd teams performed admirably at the annual Saints Squash Festival supported by Standard Bank at Saint Andrew’s School in Bloemfontein.

Up against the cream of South African squash talent, the 1st team cruised past Pretoria Boys’ High and Saint Stithian’s by 6-0 margins, drew 3-3 with Hoërskool Zwartkop, suffered a narrow 2-4 defeat to King Edward VII, and were comfortably beaten 5-1 by the hosts, Saint Andrew’s, who appear to have the leading team in the country in 2023.

‘House’s depth was on show in the superb results achieved by the 2nd team. They romped to a 6-0 win over the Parktown 1st team, almost whitewashed Pretoria Boys’ High’s 2nd side, winning 5-1, and drew 3-3 with the Saint Andrew’s College 1st team.

Kingswood College’s 1st team defeated the Michaelhouse 2nd team 5-1, while the remarkable depth of Saint Andrew’s School, coached for more than two decades by former South African Schools’ player and now renowned coach Calvin Deutschmann, stood out as their 2nd team won 6-0 against ‘House.