2025 LEAGUE SEASON KICKS OFF

As we say goodbye to January 2025, so we look forward to the opening round of fixtures in the KZN Central and Allerton leagues on 09 February. We have had a few changes in the leagues this year, along with a few new entries which is encouraging.

I would like to remind you about a few items that were discussed in the league captains meeting at the end of last year.

• Fair distribution of carts – please could clubs with fewer carts ensure that all clubs get access to their share of the carts. I understand that some are more organised than others and book carts early, however this cannot create an unfair advantage. I really do ask for your understanding here as we are trying to encourage as many to play league as possible.
• This year, if a team does not arrive for a match, they will automatically have 2 points deducted.
• Players may move between clubs but not in the same league.
• Teams must be entered on Score Capture prior to the match and points will be deducted if this is not completed. Match scores should also be entered ASAP so that the results and logs are updated timeously.

A copy of the rules are available on the website should anyone need an updated copy.

On to the first round of fixtures for 2025. In the Premier League Durban Country Club will host and I am sure that all the players will be in for a treat given the SA Open tees off a couple of weeks later. I have heard that there are a few new players at some of the Premier League teams this year and it should make for an interesting season.

The hosts face up to Toti A who was the only team to beat DCC A in 2024. Newcomers Zimbali A play Umhlali A and I for one will be interested to see how they start their season. I am sure that stalwart Steve Phytides expects good results from his team. Maritzburg GC A get their season started against the defending champions Kloof A. Kloof will no doubt want to get their season off to a good start in defence of the title. Royal Durban A and Victoria A will be hoping for improvement from 2024 when they get their season under way. Cotswold A have a bye.

The Central B division has seen a few changes for 2025. Zimbali were promoted to the Premier League and Simbithi A withdrew from the league. This means there are two promoted teams, eThekwini A, who were undefeated in 2024 in the C League as well as KZN Midlands who were promoted as a result of the withdrawal of Simbithi.

KZN Midlands are straight into action, hosting the first fixture at Gowrie Farm. I know there are a few players looking forward to this outing. KZN Midlands host Bluff A who are always competitive and should be a good test for the newcomers. Kloof C host Royal Durban B. This will be a good early season indicator for these two teams who were not at their best in 2024. Runners up in 2024, Zululand, will open their campaign against eThekwini A and this will be a very interesting match to watch. Zululand will be very keen to get a win on the board and I know that Lourens Gouws has his eye on getting Zululand into the Premier League again. Kloof B have the bye.

The Central C League has a couple of clubs returning to league this year and that is great news. Mount Edgecombe make a welcome return to league and I am sure that they will have a very competitive team that will be tough to beat, if their top players are available. Camelot also return and it is great to have them back after a year on the sidelines. These teams will face each other in the first game of the season. The other new team that has entered is Umkomaas A. I cannot remember when last they entered a team in the central league. They have good young talent that will want to show what they can do on the league stage. Their opening match is against Cotswold B who, under Alan Landsberg, will want an improved showing this season. Bluff B will start the year off against last year’s runners up Toti B. Toti will look for a good start to repeat their good showing in 2024.

Host for the first game will be Umhlali B. A big thank you to Mark Chamberlain for assisting to host after the late changes to fixtures. Umhlali will play Central Durban, who will look for improvement after a poor 2024 season.

In the Allerton A League there is a MASSIVE match to kick off the season. Cotswold take on Kloof in the highway derby and Kloof will be looking to turn the table on their foe after defeat last year. Cotswold on the other hand will be looking to get their defence off to a solid start.  Promoted eThekwini, undefeated in 2024, start the season at 2024 runners up Royal Durban and it will be a tight affair to see who gets the bragging rights in this one. Midlands and Athlone finished mid-table last season and will both be keen on a winning start in their match. Toti have the bye.

Allerton B start their season at Maidstone who were relegated from the A league. The home team will host Greater Durban and will look for a good start in their attempt to get promoted back to the A League. Alliance play Simbithi and both clubs will look for improvement to try and gain promotion after steady results in 2024. Umkomaas, also relegated, will play Bluff in their first game of the season. I am sure that they will be fighting hard to get back to the A league where they have been for a number of seasons. Central Durban have a bye.

All the best for 2025.

GARY WELSH

KZNGU LEAGUE CONVENOR

“Victory is in the Quality of Competition and Not the Final Score”

Baseball player Mike Marshall