{"id":52626,"date":"2024-07-15T13:22:45","date_gmt":"2024-07-15T11:22:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=52626"},"modified":"2024-07-15T13:22:45","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T11:22:45","slug":"pinetown-crowned-the-kings-of-the-kearsney-soccer-tournament","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/?p=52626","title":{"rendered":"Pinetown crowned the kings of the Kearsney Soccer Tournament"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Pinetown
Pinetown Boys’ High held off a strong challenge from their neighbours, Siyajabula, to win the High Schools’ title in the second edition of the Kearsney Soccer Tournament.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pinetown Boys’ High<\/strong> captured the Boys’ High Schools’ title in style, St Mary’s DSG<\/strong> was crowned the Girls’ champion in a penalty shootout, and Merchiston Prep<\/strong> edged out Highbury Prep<\/strong> for the Primary Schools’ honours at the Kearsney Soccer Tournament<\/strong> on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The organisers were thrilled with an outstanding turnout of supporters and spectators, who gathered around the fields on a warm winter’s day, in a light breeze, which made for ideal playing conditions.<\/p>\n

In a hotly contested final, Pinetown Boys’ High was pushed hard by Siyajabula High<\/strong>, but Pinetown controlled possession and territory for most of the contest to grab a 1-0 victory and with it the title.<\/p>\n

Pinetown was good value for their win. They were, from their first game of the tournament to their last, the class of the field. In fact, they didn’t concede a single goal, although Siyajabula missed a gilt-edged opportunity to end that record in the final.\u00a0It might have been somewhat unfair on Pinetown if that chance had been converted.<\/p>\n

Their control of the ball, their movement off of it, and the manner in which they moved the play from side to side caught the eye. They delivered attractive and winning performances.<\/p>\n

Their coach, Siya Mnganga<\/strong>, was smiling from ear to ear after the final. “I’m very proud. I thought we were very confident. We worked hard as a team. Winning was the fruit of the work we have been putting into our training.<\/p>\n

“It was really good to see the boys stick together, play as a team, and work hard for each other,” he said.<\/p>\n

Talking about his team’s composure when in possession and on how they moved the ball, Mnganga said: “Everything starts from having possession. We build up from the back and we try to move the opposition into certain areas, then we take the ball in a different direction.”<\/p>\n

Another part of the secret to Pinetown’s success, the coach added, was that even when in possession his side organises itself defensively.<\/p>\n

\"Siyajabula
Siyajabula gave it their all and came extremely close to unlocking Pinetown’s ironclad defence in the final, but it was not to be.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pinetown finished top of Group B, beating Northwood<\/strong> 2-0, Maqhutshana 1<\/strong> 3-0, and Tuks<\/strong> 1-0. Then, in the playoffs, they ran roughshod over Lebone II College<\/strong>, cruising to a 6-0 win.<\/p>\n

In the semi-finals, up against the hosts, Kearsney College<\/strong>, who hadn’t lost until then, winning all of their games, except for a 1-1 draw with Paul Roos in the tournament’s opening match, they rolled to a 3-0 victory.<\/p>\n

It was clinical dominance and it brought Pinetown six wins, with 16 goals scored and none conceded.<\/p>\n

Siyajabula emerged as the winners of a tight Group D after three schools tied with six points each. Also from the Pinetown area, Siyajabula, beat Ashton International<\/strong> 4-0 in their first game and then took down Lebone II College 2-0. In their last pool outing, though, they were shocked by Clifton College<\/strong>, who won 2-1.<\/p>\n

It wasn’t quite enough for the Durban school to reach the last eight. Siyajabula had a plus-five goal difference, Lebone II College was plus-two, and Clifton plus-one.<\/p>\n

Kearsney College enjoyed a good run and finished in third place, edging out Paul Roos, in a second meeting of the sides, from the penalty spot. They took it 3-2 after the teams had again finished regulation time level at 1-1.<\/p>\n

\"Stifling
Stifling defence from both sides led to a penalty shootout between Paul Roos Gimnasium and Kearsney College in the battle for third place.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There was a similar score in the Plate Final, with Gqeberha’s Urban Academy<\/strong> winning 3-2 from the spot after a 1-1 draw with Maqhutshana 2<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

St Mary’s DSG and Kloof High<\/strong>, who both produced unbeaten records in their pool matches, met in the girls’ final.<\/p>\n

Both had to overcome stiff challenges in the semi-finals, with St Mary’s reprising a playoffs’ shootout score which became familiar, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw with Ashton International, while Kloof claimed a 1-0 win over Danville Park<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

In the early going of the title-decider, St Mary’s appeared to be cruising to victory, scoring a goal and then benefitting from an own goal, but Kloof, with impressive character, fought their way back into the contest. They levelled at 2-2 to send it to the spot. From there, St Mary’s took the win by a 2-1 margin.<\/p>\n

\"St
St Mary’s DSG joyously celebrates winning the Kearsney Soccer Tournament.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Saints’ coaches, Daniel Becker<\/strong> and Sanele Zondi<\/strong>, were relieved after their charges’ victory. “We struggled during this tournament. Every time we conceded, it was like we were losing,” Becker admitted. “We have been trying to break that mentality.<\/p>\n

“We make it difficult,” he added, with a laugh.<\/p>\n

Both coaches agreed, though, that beating Ashton International on penalties in the semi-finals helped them when the final went to the penalty spot.<\/p>\n

“I’m very happy,” Zondi said. “It was a rocky road, but eventually we won.”<\/p>\n

Commenting on the tournament, Becker said: “It’s a huge upliftment for the girls’ sport. It’s a great initiative. The facilities are amazing. It’s a great venue.”<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the boys’ Primary School title came down to a showdown between Highbury Prep and Merchiston Prep.<\/p>\n

The u13 event was played on Silcock Field<\/strong>, a smaller ground, which was an excellent decision; it made for more exciting and entertaining football, and the picturesque venue was surrounded by supporters.<\/p>\n

\"Merchiston
Merchiston launches an attack down the left flank in the final of the Primary Schools’ competition against Highbury Prep.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

From the two pools of five teams, the sides qualified to face their direct opposites in the playoffs, which meant that the runners-up from the group stage, Thomas More<\/strong> and Hillcrest Primary<\/strong> met for third and fourth places.<\/p>\n

Hillcrest, the top scorers in the pool matches, with 19 goals, won 3-1.<\/p>\n

In a high-quality final, Highbury took the lead with a stunning shot curled across the goal and around the goalkeeper, but Merchiston kept banging away at their rivals’ defences. Their reward was a 2-1 victory and the title of Kearsney Soccer Tournament champions.<\/p>\n

BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Champs Quarterfinals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Durban High School 1-2 Kearsney College
\nPaul Roos 2-1 Sutherland
\nSiyajabula 2-1 Northwood
\nPinetown 6-0 Lebone II College<\/p>\n

Champs Semi-finals
\n<\/strong>Siyajabula (3) 2-2 (2) Paul Roos
\nPinetown 3-0 Kearsney College<\/p>\n

Champs Final
\n<\/strong>Pinetown 1-0 Siyajabula<\/p>\n

3rd\/4th
\n<\/strong>Kearnsey College (3) 1-1 (2) Paul Roos Gimnasium<\/p>\n

Champs Playoffs
\n<\/strong>Northwood 6-0 Lebone II College
\nDurban High School 1-0 Sutherland<\/p>\n

Plate Quarterfinals
\n<\/strong>Maqhutshana 2 (3) 1-1 (2) Curro Hazeldean
\nUrban Academy 9-0 Thomas More
\nMaqhutshana 1 4-2 Ashton International
\nClifton College 4-0 Tuks<\/p>\n

Plate Semi-finals
\n<\/strong>Maqhutshana 2 2-1 Clifton College
\nUrban Academy 2-0 Maqhutshana 1<\/p>\n

Plate Final
\n<\/strong>Urban Academy (3) 1-1 (1) Maqhutshana 2<\/p>\n

Plate Playoffs
\n<\/strong>Tuks 4-0 Thomas More College
\nCurro Hazeldean 4-1 Ashton International
\nClifton College 1-3 Maqhutshana 1<\/p>\n

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Champs Semi-finals
\n<\/strong>St Mary’s DSG (3) 1-1 (2) Ashton International
\nKloof High 1-0 Danville Park<\/p>\n

3rd\/4th
\n<\/strong>Ashton International 0-1 Danville Park<\/p>\n

Champs Final
\n<\/strong>St Mary’s DSG (3) 1-1 (2) Kloof High<\/p>\n

Plate Semi-finals
\n<\/strong>Durban Girls’ High 8-0 Lebone II College
\nThomas More College 1- Curro Hazeldean<\/p>\n

Plate Playoffs<\/strong>
\nLebone II College 3-1 Thomas More College (7th\/8th)<\/p>\n

Plate Final
\n<\/strong>Durban Girl’ High (3) 2-2 (4) Curro Hazeldean<\/p>\n

BOYS’ PRIMARY SCHOOL PLAYOFFS<\/strong><\/p>\n

Winston Park 5-2 Highbury Prep B (9th\/10th)
\nKloof Senior Primary 3-1 Reddam House Ballito (7th\/8th)
\nAshton International 2-4 Atholl Heights (5th\/6th)
\nThomas More 1-3 Hillcrest Primary (3rd\/4th)
\nMerchiston Prep 2-1 Highbury Prep A (Final)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Pinetown Boys’ High captured the Boys’ High Schools’ title in style, St Mary’s DSG was crowned the Girls’ champion in a penalty shootout, and Merchiston Prep edged out Highbury Prep for the Primary Schools’ honours at the Kearsney Soccer Tournament on Sunday. The organisers were thrilled with an outstanding turnout of supporters and spectators, who […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":52630,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=52626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52626\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=52626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=52626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/test.ssschoolsplus.co.za\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=52626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}