Michaelhouse to challenge hosts’ proud Grey High Festival record
Grey High will be aiming to continue a proud record in the Standard Bank Grey High Rugby Festival when they take on KwaZulu-Natal’s Michaelhouse in the final match of the opening day, on Saturday.
The KZN team is making its first appearance at the festival since 2022, and they know that they will have to produce their best performance to quell the support the home team will undoubtedly have in the day’s main match.
Grey coach Matt King will be reasonably satisfied with his side’s opening match last week in Makhanda, at the Graeme College Festival, where the team unleashed some devastating backline attacks.
Under the co-captaincy of hooker Evan Mucka and wing Luc de Villiers, Grey, who have a long string of wins in their festival, ran in six tries in a solid 49-25 win over Hudson Park, although they did concede several tries to their East London opponents in the second half.
King knows they will have to tighten up that aspect of their play against Michaelhouse’s attacking flair.
“Michaelhouse plays a very expansive and highly skilful brand of rugby, which entertains all who come to support, so I know we are facing a difficult encounter,” he said.
“But it is a challenge we welcome with open arms as we continue to fine-tune our performances to build some momentum leading into the second term, in April.”
Meanwhile, Michaelhouse, under the guidance of coach James Fleming, is excited to return to the festival, after a three-year absence.
In 2022, the KZN school beat Kingswood but lost to St Andrew’s College. Fleming believes this year’s competition will be more challenging.
“We are very excited to be returning to the Bay and to be playing both Grey and Bishops on the Kolisi Field. We know we will be up against two strong schools, but we will certainly focus on bringing our A game,” he said.
“Knowing Robbie Kempson and Darron Nell (part of the Grey coaching team), we can expect a very strong set piece.
“The Grey Festival is a great opportunity to give all the squad members a run and to experience the camaraderie of touring, playing different opposition, and making new friends.”
FIXTURES
Saturday, 29 March
Kolisi Field
08:00 – Queen’s vs St Stithians
09:10 – Dale vs Northwood
10:25 – Pretoria Boys vs Kearsney
11:45 – Graeme vs Hilton
12:55 – Kingswood vs Durban High School
14:05 – Selborne vs Westville
15:25 – Grey High vs Michaelhouse
Pollock Oval
14:05 – St Charles College vs Port Rex
15:25 – Hudson Park vs Muir
Crusaders
14:05 – Ithembelihle vs Daniel Pienaar
Monday, 31 March
Kolisi Field
08:00 – Westville vs Dale
09:10 – Selborne vs Durban High School
10:25 – Hudson Park vs Kearsney
11:45 – Queen’s vs Pretoria Boys
12:55 – Kingswood vs Northwood
14:05 – Bishops v Michaelhouse
15:25 – Grey High v Hilton
Pollock Oval
11:45 – St Stithians vs Port Rex
12:55 – St Charles College vs Daniel Pienaar
14:05 – Muir vs Ithembelihle
Crusaders
14:15 – Mali XV v Woodridge
