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SACS ended Milnerton‘s winning streak against the southern suburbs’ schools with a decisive 59-19 victory on the Memorial Field on Saturday.

A brace by their returning captain, Seth Bradford, helped the home team to a 33-7 lead at halftime, and a red card in the second half curtailed any hope of a famous Milnerton comeback.

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SACS got off to a perfect start with their inside centre, Matt Carrick, crossing the line for the opening try within minutes of the kick-off. Bradford, then, struck twice in quick succession to mark his return in style.

After missing most of the season with a hamstring injury, the industrious no. 9 returned to action against Paarl Gimnasium last month, only to be forced from the field again with a concussion.

He was clearly hungry to make his mark and led his side with distinction alongside Nic Reynolds, who had done an excellent job as captain in Bradford’s absence.

Milnerton showed glimpses of the deadly attack that saw them achieve memorable come-from-behind wins against Bishops Diocesan College (31-28) and Rondebosch Boys’ High (34-33) earlier in the season.

Their lightning-quick wing Keagan Wood bagged a double and Briint Davids also added a five-pointer but, for the most part, the SACS defence remained rock-solid, with Reynolds and Zac Wilson putting in a couple of crunching tackles.

A red card to Milnerton knocked the wind out of their sails, but by then SACS had already built a healthy lead. The numbers were evened out in the final five minutes when SACS also received a red card but, even then, Rayaan Solomons went over for a try to deal the knockout blow and secure an impressive victory.

Milnerton will seek a bounce-back performance next weekend when they host Hoërskool Brackenfell.

SACS also has a big battle ahead, away against a well-rested Boland Landbou.

Bishops took on a wounded Paarl Boys’ High squad, which was coming off an extremely tough run of fixtures and was eager to return to winning ways.

It was all Boishaai, who overran Bishops 73-6, with their excellent backline play stretching the hosts’ defences thin and culminating in 11 tries, of which six were scored by the wings, Aiden Jacobs and Shane Lee Simonse.

The Bishops’ boys get a much-needed break next weekend before they have the chance to put all of their recent troubles behind them when they go up against their arch-rivals, Rondebosch Boys’ High.

Rondebosch won’t have the luxury of focusing on that fixture yet. They’ll be preparing for a massive challenge in Paarl, where they face Boishaai next weekend.

SCORERS

SACS 59 (33) – Tries: Seth Bradford (2), Endi Sidinile, Zac Wilson, Ethan Combrink, Jack Benade, Matt Carrick, Callum Hirst, Rayaan Solomons. Conversions: Solomons (7). Milnerton 19 (7) – Tries: Keagan Wood (2), Briint Davids. Conversions: Chadwin Sellidon (2).

Paarl Boys’ High 73 – Tries: Aiden Jacobs (4), Shane Lee Simonse (2), Tristan Joubert, Douw Wessels, Jordan Jooste, Rubin Dames, Iwan Jordaan. Conversions: Viaan Mentoor (7), Jordaan (2). Bishops Diocesan College 6 – Penalties: Lucca Mynhardt (2).

All the results

u19 – SACS II 43, Milnerton II 0; Paarl Boys’ High II 59, Bishops Diocesan College II 0; Paarl Boys’ High III 47, Bishops Diocesan College III 10; Paarl Boys’ High IV 88, Bishops Diocesan College IV 0; Paarl Boys’ High V 100; Bishops Diocesan College V 0.

u16 – SACS A 15, Milnerton A 9; Paarl Boys’ High A 70, Bishops Diocesan College A 0; Paarl Boys’ High B 88, Bishops Diocesan College B 0.

u15 – SACS A 50, Milnerton A 3; Paarl Boys’ High A 54, Bishops Diocesan College A 12; Paarl Boys’ High B 85, Hamiltons A 12; Paarl Boys’ High C 22, Bishops Diocesan College B 11; Paarl Boys’ High D 70, Bishops Diocesan College C 0.

u14 – SACS A 17, Milnerton A 5; Paarl Boys’ High A 38, Bishops Diocesan College A 0; Paarl Boys’ High B 36, Hamiltons A 0; Paarl Boys’ High C 56, Bishops Diocesan College B 0; Paarl Boys’ High D 80, Bishops Diocesan College C 0.

St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) played outstanding hockey on their way to being crowned the inaugural winners of the St Anne’s Cup. They put on a polished performance to romp to a 4-0 win over Durban Girls’ College (DGC) in the final on Sunday.

St Mary’s served notice that they meant business from day one, with victories over Menlopark and Eunice. They went on to finish as the only unbeaten team in the competition.

Before the final, they won all four of their matches. DGC, meanwhile, won three and drew one.

With their victory in the final, St Mary’s became the first team to record a win over DGC since the Durban side went down against St Mary’s Waverley in a pool match at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival. Given that background, plus the fact that DGC had defeated St Mary’s 3-2 in a league match in April, DGC was favoured on paper.

“I think the girls, since our defeat against DGC in our league fixture, have just been focussing on the greater goal, which is to keep moving forward and improving and sticking to playing our brand of hockey,” Carla Anne Mackay, the St Mary’s coach, said after her team lifted the title.

It was one-way traffic from pass back, as Mackay’s charges dominated possession. The first five minutes of the match, which they spent in the DGC half, set the tone for the rest of the contest. In the moments when DGC won possession, the Georgia Pollock-captained unit committed nine players in defence and denied DGC any space to manoeuvre.

They performed like a well-oiled machine in midfield and at the back, which neutralised the threat posed by Ruby Kraus, the tournament’s leading scorer, by denying her service from her teammates. As a result, St Mary’s goalkeeper, Josie Wylie, was barely tested.

There were only two minutes remaining in the match when she was called on to make her first save. A minute later, she made her second and last, after being a spectator until that point.

When they were dispossessed in the DGC half, St Mary’s pressed with great efficiency. DGC struggled to exit and, when they got out of their half, St Mary’s turned over possession.

Pollock and her teammates’ dominance was reflected in the penalty corner count, which favoured St Mary’s by a 7-1 margin. However, despite the Saints’ dominance, the first half ended goalless.

St Mary’s had an opportunity to take an early lead when they won their first penalty corner. Then, when two DGC defenders broke early, they were down to two defenders and the ‘keeper. St Mary’s opted for a variation, but the final pass went to the near post and goalkeeper Ella Carstens pulled off a save. If it had gone to the far post, DGC would have been totally exposed.

The DGC net-minder bailed them out of dicey situations throughout the tournament and was particularly outstanding in the semi-finals against Eunice. She kept DGC in that game with a fine save in a 1-v-1 situation with five minutes to go in the second chukka, and then pulled off another important save with just over a minute to go.

“At the halfway point, we chatted about not panicking and being patient because we were creating the opportunities. The goals would come as long as we kept focused,” Mackay shared. “I also told them that despite tired legs and sore bodies we have to play with massive hearts.”

St Mary’s attacked the third chukka with greater urgency. Five minutes in, they broke the deadlock. And with that breach of the DGC defence, they opened the floodgates. In the space of five minutes, they went 3-0 up.

The first goal came after Elizabeth Anderson made a great run into the circle and coolly slipped the ball past the keeper to find Georgia Short, who tapped it into the open goal.

Jamie Da Silva followed that up with a well-executed tomahawk to double the St Mary’s lead shortly afterwards.

Two minutes after that goal, Jenna-Leigh Freese scored the third.

Pollock made it 4-0 deep into the final chukka with a cleanly struck shot across the ‘keeper from a penalty corner.

“The girls have made me so unbelievably proud. Their performance today was really on another level,” Mackay beamed after her team’s victory.

Winning the St Anne’s Cup was one of the goals she and her team had set for the season. Now they can tick that off as accomplished.

Results

Waterkloof 0 – 1 Menlopark
St John’s DSG 4-3 Beaulieu College
St Anne’s 2-0 Eunice
St Mary’s DSG 4-0 Durban Girls’ College

Hoërskool Monument se Witbulle dra vir nóg ‘n jaar die kroon van Krugersdorp, nadat hulle tuis vir Hoërskool Noordheuwel se Blues in ‘n boeiende kragmeting naelskraaps met 36-33 kon verslaan.

Herleef al die aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com).

Daar was die afgelope week heelwat bespiegel oor hoe die Blues se pak teen die reuse agttal van die Witbulle sou opweeg. Die Witbulle het met oorgawe hierop geantwoord.

Dit was vernaam in gebroke spel waar die tuisspan se ysters behoorlik hul stempel afgedruk het.

Onder leiding van slot, Jacques Botha en sy begeesterde lopies met die bal in hand, het die Witbulle deurgaans daarin geslaag om die voordeellyn oor te steek. Die steelskantflank, RG Barnard, was oudergewoonte woelig op die aanval en het met een van sy begeesterde lopies vir een van die mooiste drieë op die dag gesorg.

Die Blues se pak het nieteenstaande ‘n aanduiding gegee dat hulle hul man teen enige pak voorspelers kan staan. Die besoekers het verál puik vertoon in die skrums en hul teenstanders selfs by ‘n hele paar geleenthede in trurat gedwing met hul kragtige skrumwerk.

Die grootste opwinding van die dag het egter agterlangs gelê. Die twee spanne van Krugersdorp se agterlyne het mekaar vir die volle 70 minute met mening aangevat.

Monument se twee snellers op vleuel, Ernesto Oersen en Kealan Milton, wat meermale vanjaar reeds gewaarsku het dat hul nie spasie gegun moet word nie, het weer die buiteveld aan die brand gehardloop en die Blues laat rondstaan met hul groot vaart en flink voetwerk.

Nories se linkervleuel, Lindsay Jansen, het op sy beurt tong uitgesteek vir die Leeus se keurders met ‘n ewe uitmuntende vertoning op sowel die aanval as verdediging. Jansen se bedrieglike vaart en vermoë om spasie aan te val het aan hom twee van die Blues se drie drieë besorg, terwyl hy meer as een keer tot die besoekers se redding gekom het met sy vasberadenheid op kruisverdediging.

Losskakel, Jeandre Uithaler, het ‘n inderdaad ‘n “Uithaler”-vertoning met die skopskoen gelewer. Hy het al drie sy span se drieë verdoel en met vier strafdoele geslaag om die telbord aan die rol te hou.

Die Blues se haker, Brendan Naudé, verdien ook ‘n pluimpie vir sy hoë werkverrigting, vernaam op die verdediging. Naudé het keer op keer sy lyf op die spel geplaas om die groot voorspelers van Monument in hul spore te probeer stuit, terwyl sy heldedade by die afbreekpunte ook herinner het aan dié van ‘n jong Malcolm Marx.

In Johannesburg moes Hoërskool Dr. EG Jansen se Arende swoeg om ‘n sege van 27-19 oor Helpmekaar Kollege te behaal.

Dit het ‘n uiters fisieke stryd afgegee, verál voorlangs waar die pakke voorspelers mekaar behoorlik opgedreun het. In die skrums was dit ‘n geval van “een vir jou, een vir my”, met geeneen van die twee agttalle wat wou handdoek ingooi nie.

Dit groot verskil was uiteindelik in die vastelos, waar die Jansies se losstrio en slot, Gerhard van Aswegen, wat basies die rol van ‘n vierde losvoorspeler vervul, oudergewoonte gewoeker het. Van Aswegen was ook verantwoordelik vir die Jansies se wendrie.

Die slot het vanuit sy eie halfgebied deurgebars om agter die doellyn te gaan kuier. Dit was nie die eerste keer dat Van Aswegen sy fenominale vaart en voetwerk, vir ‘n slot, so tentoongestel het nie.

Puntemakers: 

Monument 36 (22) – Drieë: Keenan Myners, Nathan Erasmus, Ernesto Oersen, Juandre Mare, Jamaal Veldman, RG Barnard. Doelskoppe: Cruz La Moer (2), Justin Viljoen. Noordheuwel 33 (20) – Drieë: Lindsay Jansen (2), Gideon Diedericks. Doelskoppe: Jeandre Uithaler (2). Strafdoele: Uithaler (4).

Dr. EG Jansen 27 (17) – Drieë: Zade-Leigh Rippenaar, Danre Pike, Gerhard van Aswegen, Jeandre Jacobs. Doelskoppe: Matthew Bergman (2). Strafdoel: Bergman. Helpmekaar 19 (7) – Drieë: JP Lombard, Delano Maritz, Tiaan le Roux. Doelskoppe: Michael Benzien (2).

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Noordheuwel 30, Monument 20; Helpmekaar 48, EG Jansen 0.

o.15: Monument 17, Noordheuwel 3; Helpmekaar 19, EG Jansen 5.

o.14: Noordheuwel 8, Monument 3; Helpmekaar 21, EG Jansen 5.

St Andrew’s School bounced back from a 0-26 midweek defeat against Zastron to topple a strong SPS Brandfort 43-27 on Hickling Field in Bloemfontein on Saturday.

The visitors got only 10 minutes out of their try-hungry no. 8 Greyven Dempsey before he had to leave due to injury, but he still managed to cross the whitewash once.

Saints’ attack, spearheaded by their captain Matthew Fletcher and the 8th-man Eduan van den Heever, exploited Brandfort’s defences expertly and by halftime they had raced into a 29-8 lead.

Brandfort fought back hard in the second half to outscore St Andrew’s 19-14 after the break, but the Bloemfontein outfit’s strong start was enough to secure an impressive win.

Fletcher and Van den Heever crossed for two tries apiece, while wings, Kaelo Monyaki and Dakalo Leketa, and fullback Tsebo Senago, each added further five-pointers.

Saints will use their impressive win as a building block ahead of their next outing against Cornwall Hill College on 1 June.

Meanwhile, Heatherdale put in a strong performance to blank Bloemfontein Suid 26-0.

The match between Zastron and President Steyn was, unfortunately, cut short due to two serious injuries, but the “Vultures” had already amassed 29 unanswered points and had the Steyners on the rack, thanks to a brace each by the centre-pairing of Frans Botha and Kami Masiloane, and a fifth try by WG Rautenbach, on the wing.

Scorers

St Andrew’s School 43 – Tries: Matthew Fletcher (2), Eduan van den Heever (2), Tsebo Senago, Kaelo Monyakie, Dakalo Leketa. Conversions: Naude Botha (4). SPS Brandfort 27 – Tries: Xander van Heerden, Malan Kriel, Greyven Dempsey, Penalty Try. Conversion: Altus Coetsee. Penalty: Coetsee.

Zastron 29 – Tries: Frans Botha (2), Kami Masiloane (2), WG Rautenbach. Conversions: Lechabile Leballo (2). President Steyn 0. 

Heatherdale 26 – Tries: Keoratile Mphasa, Cheslynn Plaatjies, Bjornelle Roules, Lehlohonolo Seasla. Conversions: Plaatjies (3). Bloemfontein South 0. 

Witteberg het Saterdag vir die eerste keer sedert 2017 koning gekraai in die FNB Classic Clashes-derby in Bethlehem.

Dié naelbytsege van 25-22 was grootliks danksy die geoefende skopskoen en kalm benadering van flank en kaptein, Llewellyn Beukes.

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Voor die oorwinning in 2017 kon Witteberg laas in 2006 vir Voortrekker die loef afsteek in Bethlehem.

Die afgelope naweek het Beukes die besoekers se rekening geopen met ‘n strafdoel, voordat hul dinamiese binnesenter, Kenyon Morat, die eerste drie van die wedstryd gedruk het.

Witteberg het met 10-0 voorgeloop vir grootste gedeelte van die eerste helfte, voordat die Trekkers se groot stut, Cecil Parsons, deur die verdedigingslinie kon bars vir die tuisspan se eerste vyfpunter. Dit het die rustydagterstand na 7-10 laat krimp en na die omdraaislag het hul staatmaker haker, Arnold Ras, ook gaan druk om vir ‘n wyle die voorsprong aan Voortrekker te besorg, totdat Beukes met sy tweede strafdoel geslaag het.

Christiaan van der Sandt, skrumskakel van die tuisspan, het ook ‘n suksesvolle dag met die stewel beleef en was suksesvol met twee doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel.

Dawie Fourie het sy span se derde drie gedruk om aan Voortrekker ‘n voorsprong van 22-13 te bied met slegs 15 minute oor. Die “Wittes” het egter geweier om te gaan lê en twee pragdrieë deur vleuel, Tsepho Motloung, en agsteman, Daniël Meintjies, asook ‘n allerbelangrike doelskop deur Beukes, het dié spogsege vir Witteberg beklink – dit boonop nog in die Trekkers se agterplaas.

Parsons en Ras het oudergewoonte uitgeblink vir Voortrekker, maar die besoekers het oor die algemeen ‘n briljante spanpoging gelewer om as oorwinnaars uit die stryd te kon tree. Beukes en Meintjies het die veld aan die brand gespeel, terwyl losskakel, Sydwell Sethi, vir die Trekkers se verdediging deurlopend aan die raai gehou het.

Volgende maand sal die twee Witteberg-senters, Morat en JC van Rhyn, asook stut, Riaan Roos, met Ras, Parsons en Kamohelo Moses van Voortrekker saamspan vir Griffons by die Cravenweek, maar vir eers spog Witteberg as die nuwe baas van Bethlehem.

Puntemakers:

Witteberg 25 (10) – Drieë: Kenyon Morat, Tshepo Motloung, Daniël Meintjies. Doelskoppe: Llewellyn Beukes (2). Stafdoele: Beukes (2). Voortrekker 22 (7) – Drieë: Cecil Parsons, Arnold Ras, Dawie Fourie. Doelskoppe Christiaan van der Sandt (2). Strafdoel: Van der Sandt.

Ander tellings

o.19 – Voortrekker II 21, Witteberg II 3; Voortrekker III 45, Witteberg III 7; Voortrekker VI 32, Witteberg IV 14; Diamantveld II 35, Sentraal 1ste XV 7; Diamantveld III 50, Sentraal II 14; Diamantveld IV 55, Sentraal III 0.

o.16 – Voortrekker A 53, Witteberg A 18; Voortrekker B 15, Witteberg B 15; Diamantveld A 34, Sentraal A 26, Diamantveld B 33, Sentraal B 0.

o.15 – Voortrekker A 22, Witteberg A 18; Witteberg B 29 Voortrekker B 5; Diamantveld A 12, Sentraal A 5; Sentraal B 39, Diamantveld B 5.

o.14 – Voortrekker A 18, Witteberg A 5; Voortrekker B 34, Witteberg B 12; Diamantveld A 59, Sentraal A 0; Sentraal B 24, Diamantveld B 19.

Die Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale se eerste span het Saterdag vir hul tradisionele aartsvyande, Hoërskool Outeniqua, behoorlik gewys waar Dawid die wortels begrawe het.

In 2023 het die Kwaggas hul 100ste herdenking in styl gevier met ‘n sege van 25-14 op eie bodem, maar die afgelope naweek het Oakdale met ‘n wegholsege van 60-8 koning gekraai.

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Die Oakdale-blits, Lee-Winn Pretorius (vleuel), het drie van sy span se 10 drieë ingeryg. Die eerste van Pretorius se driekuns het na slegs vyf minute gekom, en 10 minute later het Waylon Kortjie ook vir sy eerste van twee drieë oorgedraf.

Ellie Meyer het die besoekers se rekening met ‘n strafdoel oopgemaak, maar nóg drieë deur Pretorius en Liam Lightly het teen halftyd reeds ‘n voorsprong van 26-3 aan die tuisspan besorg.

Na die omdraaislag kon Pretorius, Kortjie, Duraan Janse van Rensurg, Lohan Gerber en Erick Steyn nog bresse in die Kwaggas se verdediging slaan. Xavier Solomons het die besoekers se enigste drie in die 63ste minuut aangeteken, maar teen daardie tyd het Oakdale reeds die gaping na 40 punte vergroot.

Janse van Rensburg het ook twee keer agter die Kwaggas se doellyn gaan kuier.

Oakdale spog vanjaar met 11 spelers in SWD se Cravenweekspan wat volgende maand, saam met nege spelers van Outeniqua, die streek sal verteenwoordig by die provinsiale toernooi in Krugersdorp.

Intussen sal die Riversdal-span egter hierdie spogsege geniet, met dié dat kaptein, Kurt Coetzee, en sy makkers hul name in die skool se geskiedenisboeke geskryf het met die grootste sege nóg oor Outeniqua. In 2009 het die Kwaggas met 54-3 koning gekraai in die eerste Premier Interschools-kragmeting, maar sedertdien was daar nie veel om die spanne te skei nie en dus sal Oakdale hierdie oorwinning nog lank onthou.

In nóg ‘n drieëfees het Langenhoven Gimnasium vir York High met 50-41 kafgedraf.

Puntemakers

Hoër Landbouskool Oakdale 60 (26) – Drieë: Lee-Winn Pretorius (3), Waylon Kortjie (2), Duraan Janse van Rensburg (2), Liam Lightly, Lohan Gerber, Erick Steyn. Doelskoppe: Kurt Coetzee (5). Hoërskool Outeniqua 8 (3) – Drie: Xavier Solomons. Strafdoel: Ellie Meyer.

Ander uitslae

o.19 – Langenhoven Gimnasium 1ste XV 50, York High 1ste XV 41; Oakdale II 43, Outeniqua II 26; Oakdale III 28, Outeniqua III 10; Oakdale IV 61, Outeniqua IV 7; Oakdale V 48, Outeniqua V 5; Oakdale VI 52, Outeniqua VI 3; Oakdale VII 17, Outeniqua VII 5.

o.16 – Oakdale A 52, Outeniqua A 0; Oakdale B 36, Outeniqua B 0; Oakdale C 27, Outeniqua C 12; Oakdale D 35, Outeniqua D 7.

0.15 – Outeniqua A 14, Oakdale A 0; Outeniqua B 21, Oakdale B 19; Outeniqua C 17, Oakdale C 14; Outeniqua D 35, Oakdale D 21.

o.14 – Outeniqua A 19, Oakdale A 0; Oakdale B 10, Outeniqua B 0; Oakdale C 31, Outeniqua C 0; Oakdale D 56, Outeniqua D 0; Oakdale E 50, Outeniqua E 33.

Die Afrikaanse Meisieskool Pretoria (Affies) het hul oorheersing teen Meisieskool Oranje die afgelope naweek voortgesit om met 29-20 hul vyfde oorwinning, sedert 2019, oor die span van Bloemfontein te behaal.

Die twee spanne het kragte gemeet in die interskole-toernooi wat Vrydag by Affies se bane in Pretoria plaasgevind het.

Na die eerste kwart het Affies aan slegs ‘n skrale voorsprong van 8-7 vasgeklou, maar teen halftyd kon hulle die gaping met vyf doele vergroot na 17-12.

Gedurende die derde kwart het Affies hul voorsprong verder verstewig met agt doele, in vergeleke met Oranje se drie, wat die telling op 25-15 te staan gebring het.

Ondanks Oranje se pogings in die laaste kwart om die bordjies te verhang, het Affies se hulpverdediger, Amia Roux, en aanvallende vleuel, Anouk Jansen van Rensburg, besonder goeie werk verrig, talle balle onderskep en beheer oor die wedstryd behou. In hierdie beslissende kwart het Affies nege doele aangeteken teenoor Oranje se vyf, om uiteindelik met 29-20 as oorwinnaars uit die stryd te tree.

Affies het indrukwekkend vertoon regdeur die interskole-toernooi, en het 23 wedstryde gewen, slegs twee verloor en een gelykop gespeel.

Van die laaste ses kragmetings tussen dié twee skole het Affies in vier as oorwinnaars uit die stryd getree.

Benewens die onlangse Wildeklawer-eindstryd in Kimberley, het Affies nóg ‘n oorwinning oor Oranje tydens  daardie  betrokke byeenkoms behaal met ‘n telling van 32-32. Hul sukses strek veel verder, insluitende oorwinnings in die 2019 Interskole in Bloemfontein (34-19) en verlede jaar se Wildeklawer-toernooi (22-21).

Oranje het nietemin tydens die Interskole van 2022 en 2023 die bordjies verhang om in Bloemfontein en Pretoria te seëvier met tellings van onderskeidelik 33-27 en 31-26.

 Uitslae van die derby:

o.14A 24-20 AHMP

o.14B 25-18 AHMP

o.14C 18-15 OMS

o.14D 23-11AHMP

o.14E 21-9 AHMP

o.14F 20-8 AHMP

o.14G 20-2 AHMP

o.14Η 22-4 AHMP

o.15A 17-16 OMS

o.15B 29-14 AHMP

o.16E 36-5 AHMP

o.16F 14-11 AHMP

o.17A 21-16 AHMP

o.17B 34-9 AHMP

o.18A 29-20 AHMP

o.18B 39-12 AHMP

o.15C 32-17 AHMP

o.15D 32-12 AHMP

o.15E 19-16 AHMP

o.15F 13-9 AHMP

o.16A 15-11AHMP

o.16B 23-19 AHMP

o.16C 19-9 AHMP

o.16D 29-12 AHMP

o.16E 36-5 AHMP

o.16F 14-11 AHMP

o.17A 21-16 AHMP

o.17B 34-9 AHMP

o.18A 29-20 AHMP

o.18B 39-12 AHMP

o.18C 27-9 AHMP

o.18D 16-16

For a first time since 2010, Parktown Boys’ High School has made it through to the Aitken Cup final.

They booked their spot in the title-decider following a 5-3 semi-final triumph over St John’s College on Saturday at St Stithians.

It was tight in the opening chukka, but Parktown edged ahead with a late goal. They continued to build their confidence with a second strike to make it 2-0 at the break, and two more in the third chukka had Kyle Reddy‘s charges cruising towards the final.

Credit to St John’s, though, they kept fighting and netted three times in the fourth chukka, with Parktown scoring once, to finish the game strongly. Parktown, though, had done all the hard work in the first three chukkas, and they were through to the final.

Reddy’s side has been a pleasant surprise in 2024. They started slowly at the Founders Festival, but they’ve come on in leaps and bounds during the course of the season, and at the Aitken Cup they’ve impressed.

Earlier, on Saturday, they scored a vital 2-1 win over St David’s Marist Inanda. In the final, they’ll tackle Jeppe, who have been most dominant school in the history of the competition.

In their opening match, on Friday, Jeppe drew 1-1 with St David’s, who had beaten them 4-1 earlier in the season in a league clash. Since that draw, the Zebras have been on a dominant winning run, with their defence keeping four clean sheets in succession.

They overpowered Northcliff 5-0 and rattled off a 3-0 win over Hoërskool Monument. Then, they ran out 2-0 winners over Helpmekaar to secure their place in the semifinals.

There, they emphatically grabbed their chance, with coach Siya Sityana’s side, who lost the 2023 final to St Stithians, scoring a 3-0 win over King Edward VII School (KES).

RESULTS

Parktown 2-1 St David’s
St Stithians 7-0 Northcliff
St John’s 1-0 St Benedict’s
Noordheuwel 1-0 Linden
Jeppe 2-0 Helpmekaar
Monument 4-0 Randpark
KES 5-1 Trinityhouse
Fourways 3-2 Beaulieu
St David’s 4-1 St Benedict’s
Northcliff 2-1 Linden
Parktown 5-3 St John’s
St Stithians 7-1 Noordheuwel
Randpark 3-1 Beaulieu
Monument 5-0 Fourways
Jeppe 3-0 KES
Helpmekaar 2-1 Trinityhouse

Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) exacted their revenge against Paarl Gimnasium on the J.A. Kriel Field on Saturday, thanks to a massive performance by the Maroon Machine‘s pack of forwards.

Last year, Paarl Gim enjoyed a victorious visit to Stellenbosch, undoing Paul Roos 24-19. However, since returning from a tour of Ireland in December, the PRG first XV has been an unstoppable force, and they continued their winning ways in Paarl, recording a 23-17 victory.

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As expected, the battle between the two big forward packs took centre stage. Both of the visitors’ tries came through their burly props, Oliver Reid and Hendry du Plessis, and Gim’s vice-captain and flanker, Jan Koegelenberg, went over for their only five-pointer.

With both teams leaving it all on the field in defence, an intense kicking duel between Paul Roos’s flyhalf Joshua Dampies and the Gimmie sharpshooter Freek de Kock also unfolded.

Dampies contributed 13 points off the kicking tee and De Kock scored the majority of his side’s points by successfully converting four penalty kicks.

Early on, Paul Roos went ahead when Dampies landed a penalty, but it was Koegelenberg who crossed the try line first to edge Gim in front.

Reid muscled over for the visitors’ first try in the 26th minute after a brilliant inside ball by his scrumhalf Adeeb Boraine and, despite having to absorb a lot of pressure late in the half, Paul Roos went into the break with a 16-11 lead.

The effects of a long season and midweek trials were evident in the second half. However, although the players were tired, they kept hammering away at one another.

With 20 minutes to play, the home team wrestled back the lead from Paul Roos, but a late try by Du Plessis secured the win for the Stellenbosch side. It was their tenth victory without defeat this season.

Ely Williams, Dawie Stemmet and JJ du Preez put in a solid shift in the front row for the home team to make the Maroon Machine sweat and captain Kobus Blanckenberg spearheaded the Gim attack.

Matthew Kleyn played an exceptional game for Paul Roos, popping up everywhere on the field while also making a couple of crucial tackles, and Dampies directed their attack expertly, keeping a cool head, even after making a couple of early mistakes, to play a key role in his side’s success.

The bulk of the credit will go to the big forward pack, though, who worked extremely hard to outmuscle Paarl Gim.

Soon, many of these boys will be sharing the field at the Craven Week, representing Western Province. Judging by the quality of rugby the two powerhouses put on show this weekend, that WP side will be a force to be reckoned with again this year.

Scorers

Paul Roos Gimnasium 23 (16) – Tries: Oliver Reid, Hendry du Plessis. Conversions: Joshua Dampies (2). Penalties: Dampies (3). Paarl Gimnasium 17 (11) – Try: Jan Koegelenberg. Penalties: Freek de Kock (4).

Other results

u19 – Paul Roos II 19. Paarl Gimnasium II 15; Paarl Gimnasium III 21, Paul Roos III 21; Paul Roos IV 14, Paarl Gimnasium IV 10; Paul Roos V 14, Paarl Gimnasium V 5; Paul Roos VI 12, Paarl Gimnasium VI 3; Paul Roos VII 57, Paarl Gimnasium VII 0.

u16 – Paarl Gimnasium A 20, Paul Roos A 7; Paarl Gimnasium B 22, Paul Roos B 10; Paul Roos C 26, Paarl Gimnasium C 3; Paul Roos D 45, Paarl Gimnasium D 0.

u15 – Paarl Gimnasium A 15, Paul Roos A 13; Paul Roos B 20, Paarl Gimnasium B 3; Paul Roos C 35, Paarl Gimnasium C 7; Paul Roos D 58, Paarl Gimnasium D 0.

u14 – Paarl Gimnasium A 9, Paul Roos A 5; Paarl Gimnasium B 20, Paul Roos B 8; Paul Roos C 17, Paarl Gimnasium C 3; Paul Roos D 35, Paarl Gimnasium D 10; Paul Roos E 42, Paarl Gimnasium E 5.

For a second week running, Bishops Diocesan College put on an impressive showing, this time coasting to a 6-0 win over Paarl Boys’ High at the Woodlands Astroturf in the southern suburbs of Cape Town on Friday night.

With the win, Bishops joined South African College High School (SACS) as the only unbeaten sides in the Western Cape league after SACS thrashed Stellenberg 11-1.

Bishops had shown off good form ahead of their clash with Boishaai, outplaying Fairmont 5-0 after holding SACS to a 1-1 draw.

It’s been a tough season for Paarl Boys’ High, who’ve struggled to play themselves into form. Before their meeting with Bishops, they had suffered four defeats in succession, going down 0-3 to Grey College, 3-6 to Somerset College, 0-4 to Paul Roos, and 1-5 to Wynberg Boys’ High, so winning at Woodlands was always going to be a difficult ask.

Boishaai emerged from the first chukka all square at 0-0, but Albert Steyn then got Bishops on the board with a well-executed drag flick from a penalty corner.

The floodgates opened after that, with the host playing freely, connecting well, and putting on a show for their schoolmates.

Vice-captain James Grieve doubled his side’s lead, and Joshua Mettler, skipper Rob Veldtman, Andrew Betty, and Christopher Gray all added their names to the score sheet to seal an emphatic win.

“The game started very slowly. We had a sluggish warm-up. I think with exams currently taking place, the boys had a rough week,” Bishops’ head coach Ryan Julius said after the match.

“It took a while to get into the game. We had a few opportunities that were well saved by their goalkeeper (Luan Bornman), but then, from the second chukka, we started to find our rhythm.”

Julius had stressed taking advantage of goal-scoring opportunities as an area of focus in the lead-up to the match. Against Boishaai, he said he was pleased with his side’s mature approach and how relentless they were in putting the visitors away.

“Goal scoring was one of our themes going into this week. We needed to score,” he said. “I think we were clinical and took our chances. We did leave a few out there, but that’s sport.

“Defensively, we were solid, and it’s nice to keep a clean sheet. All credit goes to the players for their hard work.”

Next weekend, Bishops will face Stellenberg.

Photo credits: Ray ChaplinMeanwhile, SACS kept their winning train rolling as they thumped Stellies 11-1 at home.

Coach Sam Holmes’ side entered the clash full of confidence after handing Paul Roos a 6-2 loss at the Brewery last weekend.

The usual suspects netted the goals for SACS, with Reece Theunis continuing his fine goalscoring form with a brace.

Litha Kraai was way too much for Stellenberg, slotting five goals, while Regan Wille, Cole Allam, Connor van der Schuyff, and Matthew Jones also netted.

Parel Vallei got the better of Somerset College, claiming a 1-0 win, courtesy of a Luka Meets’ goal.

There were also victories for Wynberg Boys’ High over Durbanville, Langa Hockey Club over Belville, and Brackenfell High against the Rondebosch Boys’ High 2nd XI.

RESULTS

Worcester Gimnasium 1-1 Strand
Fairmont High 0-0 Reddam House
Paarl Boys’ High 0-6 Bishops Diocesan College
Wynberg Boys’ High 5-1 Durbanville
Rondebosch Boys’ High – Curro Durbanville- POSTPONED
Parel Vallei 1-0 Somerset College
Paarl Gim 0-1 Paul Roos
Stellenberg 1-11 SACS
Belville High 2-4 Langa Hockey Club
Rondebosch (2^nd )1-2 Brackenfell High