Die netbalbane in die Paarl was aan die brand die afgelope naweek, met Oranje Meisieskool wat die Paarl-reuse in hul eerste interskole die stryd aangesê het.
Oranje se eerste netbalspan het in hul onderskeie kragmetings met sowel Paarl Gimnasium as Hoër Meisieskool Paarl as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree.
Die naweek se opwinding het begin met Oranje en HMS Paarl wat mekaar gepak het.
Die wedstryd het teen ‘n taamlike tempo afgeskop, met die spanne wat kop-aan-kop met 7-7 getrek het teen die einde van die eerste kwart. Oranje het egter in die daaropvolgende kwarte die gaping vergroot om uiteindelik die wedstryd te oorheers.
Teen die einde van die tweede kwart het hulle ‘n voorsprong van 17-11 opgebou en die derde kwart met ‘n telling van 23-17 afgesluit. Ondanks ‘n dapper terugvegpoging van HMS Paarl in die laaste kwart, het Oranje seëvierend uit die stryd getree met ‘n eindtelling van 28-23.
Anja Cohen van Oranje is as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys.
Uit die 30 netbalwedstryde wat HMS Paarl teen Oranje gespeel het, het HMS Paarl 26 gewen, een gelykop gespeel en drie verloor.
Saterdag het nog ‘n moeilike kragmeting op Oranje gewag toe hulle vir Paarl Gimnasium aangedurf het. Oranje het egter in elke kwart met meer as vier doele voorgeloop om uiteindelik met ‘n telling van 25-20 as oorwinnaars uit die stryd te tree.
Terwyl Oranje hul oorwinnings gevier het, het HMS Paarl en Hoër Meisieskool Bloemhof ook kragte gemeet, met HMS Paarl wat weer met 21-28 die knie moes buig.
Oranje se uitslae teen Paarl Gimnasium:
(Oranje tellings eerste)
o. 19A 25-20
o. 19B 18-22
o. 19C 15-26
o. 19D 20-17
o. 19E 19-18
o. 19F 34-4
o. 19G (T. O.17C) 4-40
o. 18H (T. O.17D) 2-48
o. 17A 11-19
o. 17B 13-27
o. 16A 10-18
o. 16B 16-21
o. 16C 8-17
o. 16D 13-22
o. 15A 13-19
o. 15B 18-20
o. 15C 11-16
o. 15D 5-29
o. 14A 13-23
o. 14B 9-18
o. 14C 13-8
o. 14D 12-16
o. 14E 11-15
o. 14F 24-9
o. 14G 4-11
o. 14H 6-9
Oranje se uitslae teen HMS Paarl:
19A 28-23
o. 19B 20-22
o. 19C 19-26
o. 19D 20-16
o. 19E 24-6
o. 19F (T. O.17C) 15-24
o. 19G (T. O.17D) 9-10
o. 18H (T. O.17E) 9-14
17A 18-20
o. 17B 16-28
16A 11-16
16B 10-24
16C 20-20
16D 14-17
16E 10-21
16F 7-13
15A 12-21
15B 7-30
15C 15-22
15D 20-22
15E 15-25
15F 6-23
14A 8-19
o. 14B 20-23
o. 14C 11-18
o. 14D 13-25
o. 14E 8-23
o. 14F 9-25
o. 14G 2-11
o. 14H 1-17
Dale College captain, Sibongisile Nzima on the charge against Queen’s College in Komani on 19 April 2024. Dale College won the match 3-2. Photo: Scoty Photography
Dale College produced arguably their best performance of the season to score a treasured 3-2 win over Queen’s College at the Komani school’s 166th Reunion on Friday afternoon.
Last season, Queen’s won both meetings, but the bragging rights now belong to the boys from Qonce.
Heading into the highly anticipated clash, Dale was undeniably the underdog, especially after taking a 9-0 hammering from Grey High School at home last weekend.
Queen’s, on the other hand, were brimming with confidence after they held Selborne College to a 1-1 draw in their FNB Classic Clash encounter in East London. Before that match, Selborne had won 15 matches in succession since the start of the season.
As expected, the opening chukka of Friday’s match didn’t produce much in the way of clear-cut goalscoring opportunities.
Dale, however, grabbed the lead about four minutes into the second chukka. Pushing deep into the Queen’s half, Amangile Songelwa whipped in a cross, which was met by an unmarked Gavin Walton on the far post, and he converted to give his side a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Coach Junior Mqingwana’s team had the bit between their teeth, and they came out firing in the third chukka, causing the hosts several issues.
Queen’s had an opportunity to pull one back via a short corner, but the visitors defended it well.
At the opposite end of the field, a Dale counterattack culminated in their second goal of the game. Some smart play gained them a circle entry and Sonwabiso Dyani provided the finishr.
It appeared as if Dale was cruising to victory, but Queen’s, playing in their backyard, refused to go down without a fight.
In the final chukka, the hosts drew level, courtesy of goals from skipper Bevaneo Maytham and vice-captain Aiden van Jaarsveld, which set up a tense final five minutes of the match.
That tension was brought to an end when Dale’s co-captain, Sibongisile Nzima, slotted a late winner.
It wasn’t straightforward, however, as the umpires deliberated whether or not the ball had crossed the boundary line before Nzima netted. They gave his strike the thumbs-up and Dale sealed the victory.
“The win was important to reinstall the trust the boys have in our systems,” coach Mqingwana told SuperSport Schools after the match.
“The changeroom is buzzing and, most importantly, it’s one from one in the targeted games.
“Next week, we go again,” he concluded.
Dale will shift their focus to Cambridge High School next weekend, while Queen’s travels to Bloemfontein to face St Andrew’s School.
Another Eastern Cape side that was in action was Grey High School, who were in Cape Town to face Wynberg Boys’ High and SACS.
On Friday night, Andrew Beynon’s charges played out to a 2-2 draw against Wynberg. They were, however, blown away on Saturday morning, going down 2-5 against a well-structured and skilful SACS side.
Grey will need to put those results behind them and regroup as they prepare for another big challenge when they host Paul Roos in Gqeberha next weekend.
Scorers
Dale College (3): Gavin Walton, Sonwabiso Dyani, Sibongisile Nzima. Queen’s College (2): Bevaneo Maytham, Aiden van Jaarsveld.
While St Charles College won the 1st XV rugby game against Clifton College on their Old Boys’ Weekend, it was the visitors who took the hockey honours.
KearsneyCollege and HiltonCollege locked horns in an eight-goal humdinger on the Mansergh Astro on Saturday.
Ashley Kemp’s charges arrived at Hilton College fresh after a two-week break. The last time that Kearsney had played competitive hockey was at the KES Easter Festival.
When they picked up their sticks on Monday morning to prepare for their weekend fixture, they focussed on the same aspects they had focussed on in the preseason, fortifying their defence and working from that base in their excursions up the field.
“There is a healthy competition between us and Hilton. This is always a big fixture for us,” Kemp said.
Both sides were frenetic in the early stages of the game, but Hilton got a handle on the contest first and dominated possession in the first chukka, entering the Kearsney D a couple of times. However, they couldn’t do more than apply pressure because of the visitors’ defensive strength, an area of the game in which Kemp takes pride.
Jonty Wiggett‘s goal, scored after he capitalised off a penalty corner rebound, helped Kearsney compose themselves and play themselves into the game in the second chukka. The visitors’ confidence grew as they enjoyed longer spells of possession. But the home side wasn’t going to be kept out of the contest for long and they equalised and then took the lead before the visitors could muster a reply to their opener.
Hilton’s 2-1 advantage set the stage as a thrilling contest unfolded. With both teams launching attacks into their opposition’s territory, momentum swung back and forth.
Kearsney crafted a sensational field goal to level. In the build-up, almost every member of the team had a touched the ball before Liam Johnson executed a sensational reverse stick shot to equalise.
Their continued dominance of possession led to their third goal, with James Peirson providing the finish after another good passage of play.
The visitors’ lead did not last long, however, and Hilton nullified it two minutes later with a penalty corner. Buoyed, the home side launched wave after wave of attack and, with four minutes left on the clock, they took the lead for a second time in the match.
Kearsney captain Matthew Mendes de Oliveira performed superbly, and it was fitting that he had the final say in the contest. The young man made the SA Schools team last year and he showed why when he scored with a minute-and-a-half left in the game with a well-targeted drag flick to the keeper’s stick side from a penalty corner.
“It was a very good game. The boys fought hard to come back twice,” Kemp said afterwards.
“The most impressive part of the match was that it was a complete performance by my team. No individual outshone others. They covered for each other well.
“Our goalkeeper kept us in the game a couple of times with good saves and our defence was solid,” he added.
The Kearsney coach also complimented Hilton, who maintained their defensive structures well, despite Kearsney putting the hosts under pressure in the midfield and restricting go-forward ball.
Kemp also applauded Hilton’s forays that overloaded Kearsney’s left and right channels.
The contest was one of those matches where either side could have bagged a victory but neither deserved to lose.
Elsewhere in the province, Calvin Price’sClifton College romped to a 3-1 win at St Charles.
Clifton found the back of the net through Ryde Brisset, Zach Williamson and Daniel Hompes and their performance pleased Price.
“The boys stepped up nicely against a well-structured SCC team, under Mathew Coombes. We showed character, took our chances, and pressed really well,” Price said.
The victory bodes well for the young Clifton side. Price, in his first season with the team, has identified an exciting attacking brand of hockey built from the base of good defence as one of his goals for the season. His charges showcased that against St Charles.
Results: Hilton 4-4 Kearsney, St Charles 1 – 3 Clifton
Paul Roos Gimnasium successfully defended their home turf in Stellenbosch on Saturday, seeing off Paarl Boys’ High 25-10, with their flank Gert Kemp putting in a man-of-the-match performance to help the Maroon Machine maintain their unblemished record for the season.
Watch all the action again on SuperSport Schools – Register now –Link to the game
After Paul Roos beat Boishaai 35-17 at the Buco Brug Street Stadium last year, this year’s Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools showdown was set up to be another thrilling battle as Paarl Boys sought to reverse that result.
Kemp opened the scoring, bursting through the Boishaai defensive line, after a great off-load in contact by his destructive No. 8, Reuben Kruger.
The visitors kept their cool and flyhalf Viaan Mentoor chipped away at the deficit with a well-struck penalty, but the hosts stood firm to prevent Paarl from crossing their try line.
However, a period of sustained pressure by the PRG attack took them up to the Boishaai try line, and their lively scrumhalf Adeeb Boraine reaped the rewards of his forwards’ hard work when he found space around the ruck to stroll over for their second five-pointer.
Flyhalf Joshua Dampies‘ aim was true off the tee, which lifted his side to the maximum 14 points after their two tries and put them into an 11-point lead at the break.
He continued to punish the visitors with his educated boot and knocked over a drop goal to get the scoreboard rolling in the second half.
The Paarl powerhouse never let up, though, and their endeavour paid off when wing Ashwin Swarts dived over for their sole try. Mentoor nailed the conversion to get his team back to within seven points.
Photo: Deborah Redelinghuys
That was it for the Boishaai attack, however, and the marauding PRG raised the ante again as they launched a barrage on the visitors’ defences.
With eight minutes left on the clock, the Maroon Machine set up another unstoppable maul from which Altus Rabe landed the knockout blow.
Dampies added a final penalty for good measure, and the home team kept the visitors off the board as they saw out the final minutes of the contest.
Still unbeaten, Paul Roos has stated their goal for the first team this season is to live up to the school’s illustrious legacy, and they have done so with distinction thus far.
Next weekend they travel to Gqeberha to face Grey High, who surprised by holding Wynberg Boys’ High to a 10-10 draw in Cape Town.
Boishaai gets a well-deserved break after a taxing run of fixtures. They’ll next be in action at the Absa Wildeklawer Festival in Kimberley at the beginning of May.
Scorers
Paul Roos Gimnasium 25 (14) – Tries: Gert Kemp, Adeeb Boraine, Altus Rabe. Conversions: Joshua Dampies 2. Penalty: Dampies. Drop Goal: Dampies. Paarl Boys’ High 10 (3) – Try: Ashwin Swarts. Conversion: Viaan Mentoor. Penalty: Mentoor.
All the results
u19 – Paarl Boys’ High II 13, Paul Roos II 12; Paul Roos III 22, Paarl Boys’ High III 22; Paul Roos IV 13, Paarl Boys’ High IV 10; Paul Roos V 12, Paarl Boys’ High V 5; Paarl Boys’ High VI 17, Paul Roos VI 14; Paul Roos VII 23, Paarl Boys’ High VII 10; Paul Roos VIII 15, Paarl Boys’ High VIII 7; Paul Roos IX 25, Paarl Boys’ High IX 17; Paul Roos X 22, Paarl Boys’ High X 12.
u16 – Paul Roos A 26, Paarl Boys’ High A 15; Paarl Boys’ High B 27, Paul Roos B 19; Paarl Boys’ High C 29, Paul Roos C 22; Paarl Boys’ High D 17, Paul Roos D 8; Paul Roos E 15, Paarl Boys’ High E 12; Paul Roos F 21, Paarl Boys’ High F 12.
u15 – Paul Roos A 16, Paarl Boys’ High A 13; Paul Roos B 18, Paarl Boys’ High B 8; Paul Roos C 8, Paarl Boys’ High C 6; Paul Roos D 29, Paarl Boys’ High D 12; Paul Roos E 22, Paarl Boys’ High E 5; Paarl Boys’ High E 22, Paarl Boys’ High E 5; Paarl Boys’ High F 22, Paul Roos F 19.
u14 – Paul Roos A 12, Paarl Boys’ High A 6; Paarl Boys’ High B 26, Paul Roos B 10; Paul Roos C 29, Paarl Boys’ High C 26; Paarl Boys’ High D 24, Paul Roos D 5; Paul Roos E 17, Paarl Boys’ High E 15; Paul Roos F 17, Paarl Boys’ High F 13; Paul Roos G 29, Paarl Boys’ High G 0.
DHS had to withstand a strong challenge from Maritzburg College before bagging a first ever win on Pape’s Astro.
Durban High School produced one of the weekend’s top performances as they chalked up their first win on Maritzburg College’s hallowed Pape’s Astro on Saturday. It was a high-quality, entertaining clash.
Keegan Hezlett’s charges delivered an exhibition of good hockey, giving as good as they got from their hosts in very hot and humid conditions.
College hit the front first when Julian Konigkramer reacted quickly and snapped off a powerful shot into the DHS backboard after a scramble in the circle. It had been back-and-forth up to that point, with both sides posing questions of the other.
Through the first three chukkas, DHS played with bursts of intensity that had the potential to wrestle the game away from their opposition, but they never quite put it all together. However, they found a reply to Konigkramer’s opener when Lethabo Mathebela found the back of the net in the second chukka.
Then, with seconds remaining in the half, Josh Mungherera fired DHS into the lead.
That lead, however, lulled the visitors into cruise control. College coach Kyle Emerson‘s boys took advantage of the reduced pressure and, when Lethabo Bogacwi was sent off for 10 minutes in the third chukka. they seized control.
Once more it was Konigkramer who applied the pressure and latched onto an opportunity to level for College.
However, Hezlett’s DHS team wasn’t prepared to walk away from the match with a draw. Their drive to leave Maritzburg College with full points fuelled another burst of intensity. They took the game to College in the fourth chukka, dominating possession and territory, and the hosts found themselves defending, while DHS did all the attacking.
Pressing hard, DHS forced several penalty corners.
Bogacwi atoned for the earlier misbehaviour that landed him in the sin bin, during which time College equalised, by slotting a third for the Horseflies. This time, though, DHS kept up the intensity.
It was only with a few minutes remaining that they started to watch the clock after an outstanding Sitchaba Siyoyo goal secured the win. He beat goalkeeper Nic Holmes with a cracking reverse stick shot from a narrow angle, wide on the left, to provide a worthy match-winner.
DHS celebrated joyously after Sitchaba Siyoyo’s stunning match-winner clinched a 4-2 victory.
The DHS-College contest was the second high-octane match in the KZN region in two days. On Friday night, Michaelhouse and Northwood shared the spoils in a fiercely contested game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
When Michaelhouse offered Nick Bérichon, a KZN native, an opportunity to return to the province, he jumped at the opportunity.
There was no regret on his part in leaving Garsfontein after a very successful five-year stint up north. The Pretoria side was in good hands under Steve Paulo’s guidance. Michaelhouse’s decision to engage Bérichon was driven by a desire to improve their quality of hockey.
The institute enjoys a strong hockey tradition that dates back to 1928, the year the sport was introduced by WC Hannah. However, they had not performed to their potential in the past few seasons. Northwood, whom they went up against on Friday night, had the wood over them, with coach Justin Collins’ sides dominated their previous meetings.
Bérichon’s revival of Michaelhouse’s hockey programme is built around a structured approach to the game, which is uncomplicated, aggressive and attacking, and rooted in basic principles. And that is how they started against Northwood.
“I thought we were dominant in terms of possession, but we weren’t clinical enough leading up to the circle,” Bérichon summed up.
Despite their shortcomings in the final third, it was a vast improvement from the hockey they played when Bérichon took over. In January they were disjointed, but against Northwood they strung passes together and opened up spaces. However, they trailed for most of the match because of their failure to finish.
‘House was unrelenting, however, launching wave upon wave of attack as time ticked down. Their persistence finally paid off just two minutes from the end when they snaffled an equaliser and a share of the spoils.
Results
Michaelhouse 1-1 Northwood, Maritzburg College 2-4 DHS.
HAPPY MAKATE, binnesenter van Waterkloof, duik hier sierlik oor die doellyn in sy span se oorwinning van 23-8 oor Menlopark in die eindstryd van die NWU Sport-reeks. FOTO: Frans Lombard
PRETORIA. – Dit blyk of die stryd om vanjaar se voorste rugbyskool op eerstespanvlak eers in die pylvlak beslis sal word.
Grey-kollege het Paarl Gimnasium se onoorwonne status in die Paarl met ‘n sege van 29-27 beëindig.
Dit was ‘n klipharde skolewedstryd wat enige kant toe kon gaan, met Gimmies se losskakel, Chandler Green, wat met ‘n doelskop in die doodsnikke sake nog gelyk kon trek.
Grey se senterpaar, Pieter van der Merwe en Ethan Adams, was weer uitstaande. Die twee gaan vanjaar nog baie spanne se verdedigingslyne hoofbrekens besorg.
Grey se slot AJ Meyer asook die haker, Liam van Wyk, het ook uitstaande vertonings opgedis. Vir Gimmies was niemand beter as die agtsteman, Quintin Potgieter, nie.
Paul Roos Gimnasium het sy onoorwonne status met ‘n klinkende sege van 25-10 oor die Hoër Jongenskool Paarl behou. Die kragmeting tussen die Maroen-masjien en Grey kan dus heel moontlik in Augustus bepaal wie bo-aan meeste ranglyste sal eindig.
Affies het teen Jeppe het ‘n hoër rat in die eerste helfte gevind. Die Wit Bulle het uiteindelik met 39-26 gewen na hulle teen lemoentyd ‘n stewige voorsprong van 25-7 geniet het.
Monument het sy aanslag in vanjaar se SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling met ‘n sege van 31-25 oor Helpmekaar-kollege in Johannesburg afgeskop. Monnas het goed begin, maar die Helpies het amper genoeg gedoen om die span van Krugersdorp behoorlik te laat sweet teen die einde.
Waterkloof is as kampioen van die NWU Sport-reeks gekroon na hy vir Menlopark met 23-8 in die eindstryd geklop het. Menlopark het as skool wel die trofee ontvang vir die algehele beste rugbyskool in dié reeks.
Die Klofies het nie op alle silinders gevuur nie, maar die Parkies sal ook voel dat die telling nie hul volle inspanning weerspieël nie. Dit was amper gevoel of die twee spanne mekaar nog uitkyk diep in die tweede helfte, voordat die Klofies die sege beklink het.
Die Klofies se agtsteman, Marko Kok, was soos gewoonlik ‘n staatmaker vir sy span.
Op die B-veld van Eldoraigne kon die Puma-keurders amper ‘n volle proewe aanskou het. Hoërskool Nelspruit het HTS Middelburg naelskraaps met 36-34 verslaan, terwyl Hoërskool Middelburg vir Kempton Park met 40-12 kaf gedraf het.
Transvalia was met 76-7 te sterk vir die gasheer van die NWU-reeks se eindronde, Eldoraigne. Die span van Vanderbijlpark het 12 drieë in die wegholsege ingeryg.
Noordheuwel van Krugersdorp sal sy titel as kampioen van die NWU Prestige-reeks teen Wesvalia van Klerksdorp volgende week in die eindstryd verdedig.
Die Nories het vir Marais Viljoen met 44-13 in die halfeindronde verslaan, terwyl Wesvalia sy plek met ‘n sege van 30-17 oor Hoërskool Pietersburg bespreek het.
Riebeeckrand is in Potchefstroom as nuwe kampioen van die NWU 16-reeks gekroon. Die nuwe kampioen het vir Pretoria-Noord in die eindstryd met 20-7 die loef afgesteek.
Hilton College 55, Kearsney College 37; Westville Boys’ High 35, Glenwood 32; Michaelhouse 24, Northwood 22; Durban High School 21, Maritzburg College 18; St Charles College 50, Clifton 15.
NOORDVAAL
Affies 39, Jeppe 26; Secunda 41, Ligbron Akademie 21; King Edward VII 24, Pretoria Boys’ High 14; Ellisras 15, HTS Tom Naudé 14; Merensky 101, Louis Trichardt 7; Ben Vorster 38, Randburg 29; Hartbeespoort 56, Nylstroom 24; Northcliff 26, Randpark Ridge 4; Piet Potgieter 61, Eric Louw 3; Curro Heuwelkruin 31, Stanford Lake College 5; Northern Academy 40, Warmbad 38.
Grey High School 10, Wynberg Boys’ High 10; Die Brandwag (Uitenhage) 18, HTS Daniël Pienaar 5; Ithembelihle 20, Gelvan Academy 12; Queen’s College 29, Dale College 15; Graeme College 50, Hudson Park 12; Selborne College 49, HTS Port Rex 10; Graaff-Reinet Volkskool 38, Despatch 10.
Johannesburg – Hoërskool Monument se Justin Viljoen het sy span tot ‘n belangrike sege oor Helpmekaar Kollege gesool.
Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools. (www.supersportschools.com).
Krugersdorp se Witbulle het hul SDC Noordvaal CupBeker-rekening met ‘n oorwinning van 31-25, weg van die huis af, oor Helpies geopen.
Viljoen, die besoekers se losskakel, het met sy korrelwerk na die pale ‘n beduidende aandeel in die span van Krugersdorp se oorwinning gehad. Hy het al vier sy span se drieë maklik verdoel en ook met ‘n strafdoel geslaag vir ‘n bydrae van 11 punte.
Sy akkurate skopwerk was waarskynlik ook die verskil tussen die twee spanne.
Die twee skrumskakels, Hanno du Toit (Monument) en Tristan van Niekerk (Helpmekaar) het hul onderskeie spanne se eerste drieë aangeteken, terwyl die Witbulle se uithalervleuel, Kealan Marais, kort voor rustyd ook gaan druk na ‘n skitterende lopie.
Na die omdraaislag het die Johannesburgers voet in die hoek gesit om ‘n indrukwekkende terugvegpoging te loods. Die tuisspan se bank het ongetwyfeld ‘n groot impak gehad, met ál drie hul drieë in die tweede helfte wat deur plaasvervangers behaal is.
Die aanskoulikste een was deur die plaasvervanger vleuel, Delano Maritz, toe hy, nes Marais, die verdediging met hope spoed aan die buitekant geklop het.
‘n Welverdiende drie, hoewel teen die verloop van die spel, deur die besoekers se steelkantflank en grootste uitblinker op die dag, RJ Barnard, het egter die momentum terug in die guns van die Witbulle geswaai. Daarmee het hulle die voortou geneem en verbete daaraan geklou vir die laaste 10 minute.
Helpies het genoeg geleenthede gehad om die kastaiings uit die vuur te probeer krap, maar ongedwonge foute, sowel as rotsvaste verdediging aan die kant van die Krugersdorpers, het die tuisspan se planne om ‘n sege in die doodsnikke te gaps in die wiele gery.
Puntemakers:
Monument 31 (17) – Drieë: Hanno du Toit, Kealan Milton, Juandre Marais, RJ Barnard. Doelskoppe: Justin Viljoen (4). Strafdoel: Viljoen. Helpmekaar 25 (7) – Drieë: Tristan van Niekerk, Delano Maritz, Darius Haasbroek, Siya Dyantyi. Doelskop: Wian Strom. Strafdoel: Storm.
Paul Roos captain, Reuben Sendzul on the charge for his side in their clash against Paarl Boys’ High on 19 April 2024 in Stellenbosch. Photo: Dian Lategan (Paul Roos)
After suffering a shocking 0-1 defeat at the hands of Rondebosch Boys’ High last weekend, Paul Roos Gymnasium (PRG) redeemed themselves by claiming a hard-fought 4-0 victory over Paarl Boys’ High at the Maties Astroturf in Stellenbosch on Friday night.
Part of the reason for PRG’s downfall in their defeat against ‘Bosch was their failure to convert clear-cut opportunities in front goal.
They also struggled to make the most of their short corners and entered the clash against Boishaai seeking to correct that.
Their task was made a little easier early in the first chukka when Reuben Gouws opened the scoring for the hosts by tucking home a rebound from Boishaai’s shot-stopper, Luan Bornman.
The next two chukkas were evenly contested, with both sides holding their own while trying to force their gameplans on their opponents.
PRG, just like last weekend, found the going frustrating at penalty corner time. Their skipper, Reuben Sendzul, usually so effective at the set piece, pushed two PCs wide and had another run down by the first wave runner. Variations, too, didn’t yield the desired results.
Heading into the final chukka, Paul Roos led by a solitary goal, but Callum van Oudshoorn then gave them some breathing room when he found the back of the net off a rebound from a Barend Geldenhuys shot, which struck the goalkeeper’s pads.
Coach Michael Baker’s charges clicked after doubling their advantage, playing into spaces and creating more opportunities.
Geldenhuys joined in on the scoring party when he sent a backstick shot screaming past Bornman, and Gouws then added his second to seal a comfortable win for the hosts.
“Paarl played well and challenged us in the first three chukkas,” Baker told SuperSport Schools after the clash.
“Again, we weren’t clinical on goal. We didn’t convert short corners, which leads to scoreboard pressure. We lost discipline and got a few cards.
Ending on a positive note, he added: “I think the boys showed good character to score three goals in the last chukka and finish the game the way they did.”
Paul Roos, next weekend, will turn their attention to Grey High School when they travel to Gqeberha for a full inter-schools’ derby and a showdown against coach Andrew Beynon’s team.
Boishaai will have a bye before returning to action on the first weekend of May against Somerset College.
The Paarl Gimnasium boys’ hockey team during their inter-school clash with Affies in Pretoria on 12/04/2024. This past weekend (19/04/2024), they played to a 1-1 draw with Grey College in Paarl. Photo: Irma Ferreira SPORT & EVENT Photography
In another enthralling clash on Friday night, Grey College salvaged a late draw against Paarl Gimnasium in Paarl.
Both teams entered the game after scoring convincing victories last weekend, with Gim winning 3-0 in Pretoria against Affies and Grey thumping Outeniqua 6-0 at home.
The hosts opened the scoring in the first chukka after a smart variation at a short corner resulted in captain LD Nel finding Juan Swanepoel, who put away the opportunity.
There was very little to separate the two sides in the second and third chukkas, with scoring chances few and far between as both teams’ defensive lines held strong.
Neilyandro van Schalkwyk and Ayanda Ngxaki propelled Grey forward, but the Paarl Gim defenders did a good job of cutting off their passes.
Then, with 57 seconds left on the clock, the moment of the match arrived.
Grey started a counterattack, with MJ Bam receiving the ball out on the right. He wound his way into the circle, beating three defenders, before earning his side a penalty corner.
From that set piece, Matthias Visser delivered a powerful drag flick, straight down the middle, to strike for Grey and snatch a 1-1 draw for the visitors.
It doesn’t get any easier for both sides next week, as the action intensifies. Paarl Gim will host SACS, who have staked a strong claim to again being the number one team in South Africa, while Grey College travels for a clash with Selborne College. The East London school won 15 consecutive matches before being held to a 1-1 draw by Queen’s College last weekend.
Grey College and Paarl Gimnasium set the table for a rivalry that is certain to grow into one of the classics when the Free State giants brought the host’s unbeaten streak for the season to an end in a thrilling inaugural Sportsmans Warehouse Premier Interschools clash in Paarl on Saturday.
The Bloemfontein boys dominated the highly anticipated battle in the midfield, with school captain Pieter van der Merwe and star centre Ethan Adams both impressing for the visitors.
Man of the match, lock AJ Meyer, also caused the Gimmies endless problems at lineout time and monstered the home team on defence to play a key part in his side’s epic 29-27 victory.
Freek de Kock opened Paarl Gim’s account in the opening five minutes with a long-distance penalty conversion from just inside his own half, and when his opposite number, Heinz Stockenström, missed a chance to reply five minutes later, it looked like Gim might have gained the upper hand.
Stockenström, though, composed himself to convert a second shot at goal moments later, which levelled the scores. The rest of the first half was a back-and-forth battle between two proud teams, with both sets of defenders remaining rock solid.
Juliun Cosmo stood out for Grey with his work-rate at the breakdowns and his lively little scrumhalf, Philip McLaren, was fired up, putting in some dominant hits against some of the much bigger boys from Paarl.
Somewhat against the run of play, the home side scored the first try of the match when their burly no. 8 Quintin Potgieter powered over.
Alzeadon Felix, the visiting flyhalf, managed to even matters for Grey shortly after that, when he sold a dummy and left the Paarl defenders wrongfooted to stroll in for Grey’s first five-pointer.
Captain Kobus Blanckenberg spearheaded the home team’s efforts and was rewarded with a try on the halftime buzzer, to give his side a 17-10 lead at the break. He was put over by his midfield partner, Markus Muller, after flyhalf Chandler Green had picked out Muller with a clever kick.
Two quickfire tries by “The Tank“, Adams, gave the visitors the lead for the first time in the 47th minute, and Felix was in on the action again 10 minutes later, when he sent Van der Merwe over with a perfectly weighted kick.
With only 10 minutes to play, it looked like Gim was deep in the mire, trailing 17-29, but they showed more of the grit and fighting spirit, which had carried them to a clean record.
Ely Williams, their big tighthead prop, helped his side win two penalties at scrum time, as the Paarl boys gained the upper hand over the Grey forward pack.
A second try by Potgieter, and another in the final three minutes by wing Markus Moolman, after intelligent play by Green, saw them get to within two points of the visitors. However, the conversion attempt of Moolman’s try hit the post.
Despite a valiant fightback in the final minutes for Gim, Grey stood firm and held onto their lead to record a statement victory on the JA Kriel Field.
With the win, they put themselves back in the mix to be considered the top team in the country this year after some excitable fans wrote them off earlier in the season following a shock defeat to Jeppe.
Grey captain Liam van Wyk also deserves a mention for how well he managed his team, and they will be keen to continue building on the momentum generated by their big win over Paarl Gim when they take on Selborne College in East London next weekend.
Gim will dust themselves off and prepare to take on SACS. They’ll be eager to reassert themselves before they head to Kimberley for the Absa Wildeklawer Tournament, where they’ll take on Dr EG Jansen and Helpmekaar.
Scorers
Grey College 29 (10) – Tries: Ethan Adams (2), Alzeadon Felix, Pieter van der Merwe. Conversions: Heinz Stockenström (3). Penalty: Stockenström. Paarl Gimnasium 27 (17) – Tries: Quintin Potgieter (2), Kobus Blanckenberg, Markus Moolman. Conversions: Freek de Kock (2). Penalty: De Kock.
All the results
u19 – Grey College II 31, Paarl Gimnasium II 10; Paarl Gimasium III 39, Grey College III 12; Paarl Gimnasium IV 37, Grey College IV 24; Grey College V 19, Paarl Gimnasium V 13; Grey College VI 35, Paarl Gimnasium VI 3; Grey College VII 35, Paarl Gimnasium VII 3.
u16 – Paarl Gimnasium 16, Grey College 3; Paarl Gimnasium B 8, Grey College B 5; Paarl Gimnasium C 16, Grey College C 14; Grey College D 21, Paarl Gimnasium D 19.
u15 – Grey College 5; Paarl Gimnasium 0; Grey College B 13, Paarl Gimnasium B 5; Grey College C 46, Paarl Gimnasium 12; Grey College D 50, Paarl Gimnasium D 14.
u14 – Paarl Gimnasium 15, Grey College 12; Paarl Gimnasium B 16, Grey College B 16; Grey College C 21, Paarl Gimnasium C 15; Paarl Gimnasium D 17, Grey College D 13; Grey College E 38, Paarl Gimnasium E 0.
Al die uitslae van die reeks soos wat ons dit ontvang sal hier opgedateer word.
Indien u uitslag of wedstryd nie op die lys is nie – tree gerus met ons in kontak deur ‘n e-pos te stuur aan rugby@ssschoolsplus.co.za of per WhatsApp na 072 172 5455.
Die netbalbane in die Paarl was aan die brand die afgelope naweek, met Oranje Meisieskool wat die Paarl-reuse in hul eerste interskole die stryd aangesê het.
