Weekend of sport awaits in Despatch

DESPATCH High is gearing up for a feast of sport this weekend when its annual sports festival, involving rugby, netball and hockey, takes place tomorrow and on Saturday.

It will provide an ideal opportunity for players across all three codes to test themselves for the season ahead in a friendly, yet competitive atmosphere.

One of the highlights will be on Saturday afternoon when the Despatch first rugby team take on Winterberg in the main curtain-raiser to the Despatch club's Community Cup match.

Despatch are the defending champions and will be keen to make it three wins in a row this year when they take on Mossel Bay Barbarians at 4pm on the club field.

The Despatch and Winterberg clash is scheduled for 2.30pm.

A total of 39 schools will be competing, with matches spread over the two days.

There is a good cross-section of teams in the various competitions. Besides providing a chance for many Eastern Cape sides to prove their worth, teams from as far afield as Durban, Bloemfontein, De Aar and Malmesbury will add an interesting dimension to the various contests.

The Despatch rugby team will have their work cut out for them because they also face a testing encounter in tomorrow's final game when they take on Queenstown side Hangklip at 8.45pm.

Individual efforts will be recognised in rugby games on the A field with a player of the match being named after each fixture.

This is the 15th festival being hosted by Despatch High.

The school is also celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. - Neale Emslie