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Die halfeindstryde in die Bowl-afdeling van vanjaar se SDC Noordvaal Cup gaan straks albei in Potchefstroom plaasvind.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Bowl-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Dit volg nadat die twee Potchefstroomse skole, Potchefstroom Gimnasium en Potchefstroom Volkskool, Saterdag hul onderskeie wedstryde elk met ‘n bonuspunt kon wen.

Die Gimmies het, in ‘n herhaling van verlede jaar se eindstryd, vir Hoërskool Eldoraigne met 26-13 tuis in Potch verslaan.

Gereelde staatmakers, De Wet Grobler en onderkaptein, Elrich Bosch, het elkeen agter die doellyn gaan draai om aan die Gimmies ‘n gerieflike voorsprong van 19-3 te besorg met die omdraaislag. Hulle het egter die voet ietwat van die pedaal afgehaal na die vierde en bonuspuntdrie.

Eldos se Hugo Theron en Tristan Lee het in de tweede helfte hul kanse aangekryp om elkeen agter die Gimmies se doellyn te gaan kuier. Dit was egter nie genoeg om teen die tuisspan se soliede verdediging die kastaiings uit die vuur te krap nie.

Elders in die dorp, het die Volkies vir Hoërskool Ermelo ‘n loesing van 54-21 toegedien. Agsteman, Johannes Lombard, was voor in die koor met ‘n driekuns aan drieë, wat welverdiende beloning was vir sy uitstaande vertoning in sowel die lynstane as los.

Lombard se losvoorspelermaat, Wian Victor, was vernietigend by die afbreekpunte en het die Volkies gereeld met omgekeerde balbesit voorsien, waarmee hulle venynige aanvalle kon loods.

Die Volkies sal egter op hul hoede moet wees vir Bergsig Akademie. Die Arende van Rustenburg het hul beste vertoning vanjaar gelewer om vir Hoërskool Randburg met 45-24 pak slae te gee. Dié bonuspuntsege beteken dat die Arende en die Volkies albei na 25 ligapunte opskuif.

Regtervleuel, Keabetswe Diale, het die dominante vertoning deur sy pak behoorlik benut om die Randburgers se doellyn twee keer oor te steek.

Dit maak die Volkies se stryd teen Hoërskool Dinamika in Alberton, asook Bergsig s’n teen die Gimmies in Potchefstroom, bepalend in terme van wie uiteindelik in die tweede plek sal eindig.

Hoërskool Jeugland se bonuspuntsege van 39-27 sege oor Merensky Landbou Akademie het vir die Plasies harde werk in die finale ronde van die reeks gelos. Die span van Kempton Park het uit die dood opgestaan om homself tans in die vierde plek te bevind. Agsteman, Alec Mohlala, was Jeugland se groot uitblinker met twee belangrike drieë.

Die Plasies se nederlaag beteken dat hulle aanstaande week ‘n taai stryd met Hoërskool Eldoraigne, in Tzaneen, met soveel moontlik moet wen, én hoop dat Jeugland teen Ermelo, in Ermelo, vasval.

Puntemakers: 

Potchefstroom Gimnasium 26 (19) – Drieë: De Wet Grobler, Elrich Bosch, Rea Moalosi, Matthew Redelinghuys. Doelskoppe: Zandré Da Silva (3). Eldoraigne 13 (3) – Drieë: Hugo Theron, Tristan Lee. Strafdoel: Damian Elferink.

Potchefstroom Volkskool 54 (26) – Drieë: Johannes Lombard (3), Luan Fourie (2), Anro Nel, Lourenzo Louw. Doelskoppe: Juhan Geldenhuys (7). Hoërskool Ermelo 21 (21). 

Jeugland 39 (19) – Drieë: Alec Mohlala (2), Thando Ngomane, Joseph Ngoma-Ngoma, Thando Ngomane, Strafdrie. Doelskoppe: Koketso Maphopha, Ngomane. Strafdoel: Maphopha. Merensky Landbou Akademie 27 (8) – Drieë Matthew Mockford (2), Christo Venter, Henru Venter. Doelskoppe: JD Boshoff, Jens Bezuidenhout. Strafdoel: JD Boshoff.

Bergsig Akademie 45 – Drieë: Keabetswe Diale (2), Carlo de Jager, Dan Bogobane, Marnus Dercksen, Stephan Harmse, Jacque Viviers. Doelskoppe: De Jager (2). Hoërskool Randburg 24. 

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Eldoraigne 29, Potchefstroom Gimnasium 13; Potchefstroom Volkskool 15, Ermelo 7; Bergsig Akademie 22, Randburg 12; Merensky 72, Jeugland 7.

o.15: Eldoraigne 32, Potchefstroom Gimnasium 15; Potchefstroom Volkskool 7, Ermelo 5; Randburg 7, Bergsig Akademie 6; Merensky 24, Jeugland 21.

o.14: Potchefstroom Gimnasium 45, Eldoraigne 0; Ermelo 17, Potchefstroom Volkskool 10; Randburg 19, Bergsig Akademie 7; Jeugland 10, Merensky 6.

Dale College gave their many supporters something to celebrate as their home venue of “The Graveyard” lived up to its reputation with a thrilling 19-15 win over their East London opponents, Selborne College, in Qonce, on Saturday.

Earlier this season, when the rivals met in the coastal city, Selborne eked out a 15-13 win, but there was a sense that the Dalians could produce something special on their Pink Day.

Besides the important community issue of raising awareness about those suffering from cancer, Dale showed that they remain a competitive outfit, despite a patchy record this season.

They enjoyed a decent lead when their skipper and No 8 Kamva Sithole went on a devastating run two minutes into the second half for their third try, which gave them a handy 19-5 cushion.

It was inevitable, though, that the committed Selbornians would fight their way back into contention because they are one of the last sides who would give up on a cause.

They found a way back into the game when they began to add width to their attacks, twice bringing powerful wing Iviwe Kabale into play, and he surged over for two tries to reduce the gap to 19-15 with 14 minutes left.

Selborne poured on the pressure in search of the winning score, but twice Dale was able to steal the ball from a ruck, and earn penalties, which brought them some relief. And yet they had to continue to work hard to keep their East London rivals at bay.

With the clock showing time up, Selborne received a penalty and kicked for touch to set up a lineout five metres from the Dale line. Unfortunately for them, a mistake on the throw-in saw a free kick go to Dale and with the time showing 73 minutes played, following a break for an injury, it was game over and jubilation for the home supporters.

Dale was quickly on the attack in the match, and they started on a high note when centre Phikolomzi Mtyatela powered his way over the line to make it 5-0.

Selborne responded in the 20^th minute when prop Robert John-Osunkwo took possession of the ball from a maul and forced his way over to level matters.

Then came a crucial score on the stroke of halftime with a brilliant attack by Dale giving them the lead at the break. Big lock Kungawo Jaca made good ground inside the Selborne 22 and when he was held up, scrumhalf Wethumtha Malawana was on hand to pouch the offload and race through untouched. Soso Diyani added the conversion to take the score to 12-5.

The second half was evenly contested, with both sides showing their determination to conjure up the winning score.

Kabale was the star performer for Selborne but, eventually, it was the Dale grit and spirit to take something from the season that won them the day.

In East London, Stirling High was pushed all the way by Cambridge before emerging as 24-19 victors, while Hudson Park was too strong for Ooskus Gymnasium in their clash on Friday, romping to a 69-0 win.

Scorers:

Dale 19 College (12) – Tries: Phikolomzi Mtyatela, Wethumtha Malawana, Kamva Sithole. Conversions: Soso Dyani (2). Selborne College 15 (5) – Tries: Robert John-Osunkwo, Iviwe Kabale (2).

Daar het Saterdagmiddag ‘n eindstryd-atmosfeer in Centurion geheers toe die voorlopers in die Plaat-afdeling van die SDC Noordvaal Cup mekaar die stryd aangesê het.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Plaat-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Hoërskool Zwartkop het sy segetog vanjaar voortgesit met ‘n 17de agtereenvolgende oorwinning, deur vir HTS Middelburg met 36-30 baas te raak.

Zwarries-losskakel, Tilon Baron, neef van Hoërskool Garsfontein se Drewyn Baron, het die druk wat die Rooi Bulle toegepas het soos ‘n ware generaal absorbeer. Dit het die res van Zwarrie-span koel en kalm, en meer belangrik, in struktuur gehou.

Baron se visier was ook ingestel en het hy vroeg reeds met een van sy twee langafstand-strafdoele geslaag. Hy was uiteindelik in die kol met vier strafdoele, wat, tesame met twee doelskoppe, aan hom ‘n persoonlike bydrae van 16 punte besorg het.

Die laaste ding wat Baron egter sou verwag het was om met die Rooi Bulle se agsteman, Tercius Bezuidenhout, in ‘n skopstryd gewikkel te raak. Diegene wat meen dat voorspelers nie die korrelwerk pale toe moet hanteer nie, moet weer dink.

Bezuidenhout het self met drie strafdoele, waarvan een van die halflyn, en drie doelskoppe geslaag vir die helfte van sy span se punte (15).

Hoërskool Oos-Moot het in ‘n dramatiese laaste paar sekondes met 29-28 oor Hoërskool Middelburg die pyp gerook. Die span van Pretoria het vanuit sy eie halfgebied begin aanval en die beweging is uiteindelik deur Dewron Aford met die wendrie afgerond.

Dit was ‘n merkwaardige terugvegpoging, nadat Oosies teen rustyd ‘n agterstand van 10-23 in die gesig gestaar het, waarin skrumskakel, David Joubert, ‘n taamlike aandeel gehad het met sy tweekuns aan drieë.

Dit was die Middies se snellers op vleuel, Kefilwe Phamotse en Lesego Rakale, wat die aanvanklike skade aangerig het.

Hoërskool Klerksdorp het ‘n derde agtereenvolgende oorwinning op sy kerfstok geplaas deur vir Hoërskool Marais Viljoen in Alberton met 34-12 af te stof.

In wat beskryf kan word as ‘n volledige spanvertoning, was dit die gebruiklike groot kanonne wat uitgeblink het, maar haker, De Wet Le Roux, het uitgestaan met ‘n woelige vertoning wat die vuur onder die res van die pak aangesteek en die agterlyn in staat gestel het om na hartelus aan te val.

Die tuisspan se slot Clayton Gagiano, het moedig probeer om sy span in die wedstryd te hou en is met ‘n vyfpunter beloon.

Hoërskool Kempton Park het uitsonderlik vertoon op sy tuisveld om, tot breier, Henno Coetzee, se verligting, ‘n oortuigende sege van 44-21 oor Ligbron Akademie te behaal. Dit was ook Kempies se eerste sege in vanjaar se Noordvaal-kompetisie.

Puntemakers: 

Zwartkop 36 (18) – Drieë: Reagan Blignaut (2), Matthew Smith, Luan Williams. Doelskoppe: Tilon Baron (2). Strafdoele: Baron (4). HTS Middelburg 30 (10) – Drieë: Danté Lubbe, Janco Aucamp, Marinus Oberholzer. Doelskoppe: Tercius Bezuidenhout (3). Strafdoele: Bezuidenhout.

Oos-Moot 29 (10) – Drieë: David Joubert (2), Jayden Pretorius, Pema Bramely, Dewron Aford. Doelskoppe: Brian Jacobs (2). Hoërskool Middelburg 28 (23) – Drieë: Kefilwe Phamotse, Lesego Rakale, Zanempilo Mahlangu, Jabu Mathebula. Doelskop: Matthew Abbey. Strafdoele: Abbey (2).

Hoërskool Klerksdorp 34 (12) – Drieë: Tiaan Koen (2), De Wet Le Roux, Abrie Esterhuizen, Winton Abrahams, Brendin Mathyse. Doelskoppe: Dorian Isaacs (2). Marais Viljoen 12 (0) – Drieë: Clayton Gagiano, Claude do Couto. Doelskop: Raynhardt Kruger.

Ander wedstryde: 

Hoërskool Kempton Park 44. Ligbron Akademie 21. 

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Zwartkop 30, HTS Middelburg 21; Hoërskool Middelburg 40, Oos-Moot 18; Klerksdorp 19, Marais Viljoen 7; Kempton Park 25, Ligbron Akademie 14.

o.15: Zwartkop 22, HTS Middelburg 14; Oos-Moot 35, Hoërskool Middelburg 5; Marais Viljoen 17, Klerksdorp 10; Kempton Park 28, Ligbron Akademie 11.

o.14: Zwartkop 17, HTS Middelburg 12; Hoërskool Middelburg 49, Oos-Moot 7; Klerksdorp 31, Marais Viljoen 14; Kempton Park 22, Ligbron Akademie 18.

In an incredibly tense finish, Graeme College stood firm on defence in the closing stages to end Queen‘s College’s long run of success this season with a dramatic 20-17 win on the Somerset Field, in Makhanda, on Saturday.

The Graemians built up a handy 20-5 lead by halftime and then withstood a typically determined fightback as the visitors gave it all they had to preserve their proud record.

In the Eastern Cape, before Saturday’s setback, they had lost only to Pearson, while their last defeat had occurred way back in April, at the hands of Rondebosch, in the KES Easter Festival.

Saturday’s match was on a knife’s edge in the final 10 minutes, with Queen’s camped in Graeme’s territory, launching attack after attack, only to be repelled time and time again by a committed and determined home defence.

Eventually, with the score 20-17, Queen’s hooker Bulumko Manqina went on a bullocking run, but was hauled to ground mere metres from the try line. From the ensuing ruck, Graeme infringed, and Queen’s opted for a scrum in an attempt to secure another victory.

When they spread the ball wide, it seemed that they had created space on the right, only for the final pass to be knocked on with the tryline in sight, and with that the final hooter blew.

It was jubilation for the Graeme supporters, while the never-say-die attitude of Queen’s should be applauded. Arguably, they remain the best team in the Eastern Cape this year.

Graeme’s victory was founded on an excellent first half during which they took their chances to build up a relatively substantial lead.

They were on the score board within the first five minutes when flank Ayola Mali burst away from a ruck on the Queen’s 22-metre line to score the hosts’ first try, which was converted by flyhalf Ethan Bokbaard.

Later in the half, burly prop Athi Bonga was put into space near the try line and, to the delight of the spectators, he sped over to dot down, with Bokbaard again adding the extra two points.

The Graeme flyhalf also slotted two penalties, while Queen’s fullback Mveli Mqolo went over for a try, which left the home side 15 points to the good at the break.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Queen’s narrowed the deficit when a backline move saw wing Boikaho Motlohi cut smartly inside to slip through the defence for their second try. Then, in the 52nd minute, loose forward Acwenga Saul added a third five-pointer, which was converted by Mqolo.

After that, the momentum swung and Graeme spent the next 10 minutes deep in their opponents’ half and, although they were not able to crack the Queen’s defence, they ate up valuable time while defending their lead.

Eventually, Queen ‘s extricated themselves from their half and went on the attack, but Graeme’s committed and stubborn defence held out and the Graemians celebrated a cherished victory.

In Humansdorp, Brandwag hit back in the second half against Nico Malan to win 19-12 after trailing 0-12 at the break.

It was a tale of two halves because the home side was unable to get anything right in the second half after tries by Gelden van Niekerk and Pietman Kleinhans had put them ahead at halftime.

They were plagued by errors and missed three kicks at goal. Brandwag took full advantage of those breaks to run in three tries and score a hard-earned win.

Grey High paid a visit to Kariega to take on Muir College. They came away with a one-sided 60-7 victory ahead of their final match next weekend against Selborne College.

Muir’s only points came from a try by Onke Marola, which he converted.

Scorers:

Graeme College 20 (20) – Tries: Ayola Mali, Athi Bonga. Penalties: Ethan Bokbaard (2). Conversions: Bokbaard (2). Queen’s College 17 (5) – Tries: Mveli Mqolo, Boikaho Motlohi, Acwenga Saul. Conversion: Mqolo.

Brandwag 19 (0) – Tries: Dwayne Louw (2), Leewin Kammies. Conversions: Angelo Adams (2). Nico Malan 12 (12) – Tries: Gelden van Niekerk, Pietman Kleinhans. Conversion: Leighton Lawrence.

Met Hoërskool Pietersburg en Heidelberg Volkskool se onderskeie seges in die tweede laaste ronde van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling, is die kat nou behoorlik los in die duiwehok.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Skild-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Die Pietersburgers het vir ietwat van ‘n opskudding gesorg deur vir Hoërskool Lichtenburg in ‘n naelbytstryd met 27-24 in Lichtenburg te troef.

Dit het hulle na vyfde op die puntelys geneem, slegs een punt agter Hoërskool Secunda (23), in die vierde plek, en twee voor Hoërskool Die Anker (20), wat sesde lê. Laasgenoemde se ontmoeting met die Pieties eerskomende Saterdag beloof dus om ‘n riller te wees.

Die Pieties se liefling, Ryno Mienie, was weer ‘n sleutelfiguur, met sy skopskoen wat uiteindelik deurslaggewend in Lichtenburg was. Dié heelagter het in ‘n winderige toestande ál drie sy span se drieë verdoel en ook met twee kritieke strafdoele geslaag.

Voorlangs het die besoekers se Cravenweek-voorry, met vaskopstut, Stephan Jansen van Rensburg, aan die spits, die pap dik aangemaak. Dit was verál in die skrums waar dié drietal die botoon gevoer het.

Liggies-kaptein, KG Legodi, en slot, George Bingudzu, was egter nie in ‘n bui om die sege op ‘n skinkbord aan te bied nie. Bingudzu het in die tweede helfte vurig ingeklim en is met ‘n welverdiende tweekuns aan drië beloon.

Heidelberg Volkskool het vir Secunda in sy laaste rondomtalie-wedstryd tuis met 31-24 verslaan. Volkies was met die omdraaislag nog met 12-17 agter, maar flank en kaptein, Jaco Botha, wat as speler van die wedstryd aangewys is, het die tuisspan in die tweede helfte op die voorvoet geplaas met sy kragtige dryfspel.

Die Volkies beklee nou die derde plek op die puntelys, met 24 punte, en sal asem ophou om te sien wat die laaste ronde gaan oplewer. Die nederlaag het veroorsaak dat Secunda eerskomende Saterdag teen Hoërskool Ben Vorster moét wen, en verkieslik met ‘n bonuspunt, om in die halfeind-wedloop te bly.

Hoërskool Montana het sy posisie as voorloper versterk deur vir Hoërskool Die Anker met 31-17 in Brakpan om te dop. Binnesenter, Hendrew Schoeman, het ‘n kapteinsbeurt gespeel in ‘n afgeronde spanvertoning, met sy visie in die middeveld wat die Monties in staat gestel het om meer as een keer af te rond. Losskakel, Rubel Bester, se visier was ook ingestel om ál vier sy span se drieë te verdoel.

Hoërskool Hugenote van Springs het sy seisoen op ‘n hoë noot afgesluit met ‘n sege van 39-27 oor Hoërskool Piet Retief, en sodoende sy eerste sege in vanjaar se reeks behaal. Die Hugies het vroeër ook met 18-18 gelykop gespeel teen Ben Vorster.

Hugenote se se haker, Luan Pretorius, het sy matriekjaar afgesluit deur vier keer agter die besoekers se doellyn te gaan draai. Regtervleuel, Kyle de Klerk, en die Pieties se Kyle Stock het elk ook ‘n tweekuns behaal.

Puntemakers: 

Hoërskool Pietersburg 27 (10) – Drieë: FC Smith (2), Ziahn Lombard. Doelskoppe: Ryno Mienie (3). Strafdoele: Mienie (2). Hoërskool Lichtenburg 24 (7) – Drieë: George Bingudzu (2), KG Legodi, Oratile Sekoto. Doelskoppe: Luan Snyman (2).

Heidelberg Volkskool 31 (12) – Drieë: Jano Dietrechsen, Jaco Botha, Jeandré Pretorius, Tristan Munro, Marco Botha. Doelskoppe: Marco Botha (2). Hoërskool Secunda 24 (17) – Drieë: JD van Coller, Ryan Lottering, Dillon Grundling. Doelskoppe: Alonzo Blackenberg (3). Strafdoel: Blackenberg.

Montana 31 (21) – Drieë: Ulrich van Biljon. Braam Schutte. Marq de Villiers. Ashton Vorster. Doelskoppe: Rubel Bester (4). Strafdoel: Jandré Stoltz. Die Anker 17 (10) – Drieë: Arno Krugel, Rico Goosen, Charl Coetzee. Doelskop: Edrick Pienaar.

Hugenote (Springs) 39 – Drieë: Luan Pretorius (4), Kyle de Klerk (2), Zander Janen van Vuuren. Doelskoppe: Yovan Prinsloo (2). Hoërskool Piet Retief 27 – Drieë: Kyle Stock (2), Sfiso Methula, Vuyani Tshabalala. Doelskoppe: Owethu Shabalala (2). Strafdoel: Shabalala.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Lichtenburg 9, Pietersburg 5; Heidelberg Volkskool 36, Secunda 19; Montana 24, Die Anker 12; Piet Retief 53, Hugenote (Springs) 7.

o.15: Pietersburg 22, Lichtenburg 7; Heidelberg Volkskool 28, Secunda 14; Montana 24, Die Anker 10; Piet Retief 48, Hugenote (Springs) 5.

o.14: Pietersburg 15, Lichtenburg 14; Heidelberg Volkskool 14, Secunda 14; Montana 54, Die Anker 5; Piet Retief 43, Hugenote (Springs) 7.

The u18 Guschkie Top Schools Hockey Tournament concluded on Saturday with Grey College scoring a hard-fought 2-1 win over Paarl Gimnasium in the final.

When the teams met earlier in the season, also in Bloemfontein, Gim scored an impressive 4-2 win, but Grey put a stop to the Western Cape side’s flawless run through the competition.

Paarl Gim had opened their campaign with a resounding 7-1 victory over Hoërskool Menlopark on Thursday, followed by an impressive 8-1 demolition of Somerset College.

Then, on the second day, they continued their demolition, brushing aside Hoërskool Eldoraigne 4-0 before repeating that same scoreline against Hoërskool Jim Fouché.

Grey’s journey began smoothly enough, with two wins on the opening day. But they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hoërskool Garsfontein in their third outing. Then, they fell 0-1 behind against St Andrew’s School before clawing their way back to claim a 2-1 victory and a place in the final.

Garsfontein took on their Pretoria rivals, Die Hoërskool Menlopark for third place and scored a 2-0 win. Hoërskool DF Malan ended fifth after edging out Eldoraigne 2-1 in a tight contest.

Seventh went to Hoërskool Jim Fouché, of Bloemfontein, who downed Worcester Gimnasium 2-1.

In another well-matched game, Somerset College held on for a 2-1 win over St Andrew’s School to end ninth.

RESULTS

9/10: Somerset College 2-1 St Andrew’s School
7/8: Jim Fouché 2-1 Worcester Gim
5/6: DF Malan 2-1 Eldoraigne
3/4: Garsfontein 2-0 Menlopark
Final: Grey College 2-1 Paarl Gim

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Grey College
2. Paarl Gimnasium
3. Hoërskool Garsfontein
4. Hoërskool Menlopark
5. DF Malan
6. Hoërskool Eldoraigne
7. Hoërskool Jim Fouché
8. Worcester Gimnasium
9. Somerset College
10. St Andrew’s School

Die Hoërskool Menlopark is in ‘n omgekrapte bui en sterk besig om in te haal vir ‘n plek in die uitspeelronde van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker-afdeling.

Herleef al die SDC Noordvaal Beker-aksie op SuperSport Schools – (www.supersportschools.com) 

Met hul oorwinning oor Hoërskool Noordheuwel was dit was die tweede agtereenvolgende week dat Parkies vir ‘n span van Krugersdorp met ‘n bonuspunt kon omdop. Hulle het relatief maklik met 34-20 koning gekraai op die “Heuwel”, ‘n week nadat hulle vir Hoërskool Monument in Pretoria met 39-37 getroef het.

Met dié twee seges is die Parkies stewig op koers om aan die einde van die rondomtalie-wedstryde vierde te eindig, indien hulle ook vir Hoërskool Rustenburg volgende kan klop.

Die besoekers was van meet af aan in beheer, nadat heelagter, Dylan Stumke, ‘n uitstekende agterlynbeweging binne die eerste paar minute afgerond het vir die eerste van sy twee drieë. Stumke, wat van senter moes oorskuif om vir Reinhardt Herbst in die laaste vesting te vervang, en skrumskakel, Gustav Scäffner, straks die Parkies se uitstaande speler op die dag, het die Blues talle hoofbrekens besorg.

Voorlangs het slot, Keagen Pretorius, ‘n goeie dag op kantoor beleef. Hoewel hy 10 minute in die stoutstoel moes deurbring, was sy hoë werkverrigting ‘n belangrike bestandeel in die Parkies se wenresep.

Die Nories sou eerste wees om te erken dat dit nie hul beste vertoning van die jaar was nie.

Tidi Moeketsane het nietemin steeds ‘n moedige vertoning op losskakel gelewer, terwyl slot, Kean Lourens, na ‘n lang afwesigheid sy terugkeer vanaf die bank met ‘n fisieke vertoning gevier het.

In Rustenburg het Hoërskool Monument geswoeg en gesweet om vir Hoërskool Rustenburg met 24-14 die loef af te steek. Dit was slegs die Wit Bulle se derde sege in vanjaar se reeks. Met die skote wat voorlangs geklap het, het die Monnas-agttal uiteindelik die botoon kon voer om die grondslag vir dié sege te lê.

Twee van hul vier drieë is deur voorrymanne gedruk, met haker, Reghardt Ernst, en vaskopstut, Juandré Marais, ‘n produk van Phalaborwa in Limpopo, wat elk beloon is vir hul harde arbeid. Dit het ook vir die Monumentare se agterlyn in staat gestel om die bal lug te gee en hul bekende hardlooprugby op te dis, teen die goed georganiseerde verdediging van die Rusties.

Puntemakers: 

Menlopark 34 (15) – Drieë: Dylan Stumke (2), Gustav Scäffner, Ruan Strydom, Keagen Pretorius. Doelskoppe: Willie Pieterse (3). Strafdoel: Pieterse. Noordheuwel 20 (3) – Drieë: Skuttie Bezuidenhout, Tidi Moeketsane, Kean Lourens. Doelskop: Moeketsane. Strafdoel: Moektsane.

Monument 24 (19) – Drieë: Reghardt Ernst, Jason Joubert, Juandré Marais, Loghan Langeveld. Doelskoppe: Jaydon Viljoen (2). Hoërskool Rustenburg 14 (7) – Drieë: Zack Engelbrecht, Xavier Steenkamp. Doelskoppe: Ayden Willemse, Ricardo Enos.

Ander spanne: 

o.16: Noordheuwel 27, Menlopark 25; Monument 28, Rustenburg 22.

o.15: Noordheuwel 17, Menlopark 17; Rustenburg 21, Monument 0.

o.14: Noordheuwel 33, Menlopark 3; Monument 7, Rustenburg 3.

Fynn Campbell signed off his 107-cap hockey career with King Edward VII School‘s (KES) 1st XI in style on Saturday, scoring the final goal in his side’s stirring 4-2 victory over Durban High School (DHS), at The Coliseum, in Durban.

“It feels amazing. I started playing first-team hockey in Grade 9, and I have loved every moment,” Campbell told SuperSport Schools Plus after the game.

“I have been looking forward to this game. I knew it was going to be a good game. We desperately wanted to win.”

The skipper wasn’t the only one playing in his last match for the Red Sticks, with KES bidding farewell to 10 other players on Saturday.

The home side, meanwhile, watched four of their best players run out on the Blue and Gold Astro for the final time. Before the start of play, a guard of honour was formed for DHS captain Josh Mungherera, Bhavesh Naicker, Tyrique Cloete, and Sithsaba Siyoyo. all of whom were selected for national teams during their school careers.

Unfortunately for the hosts, the visitors executed their game plan superbly and hit DHS on the counterattack to seize the initiative. Once in front, they maintained control of the contest.

While KES was able to make some incisive forays into the DHS circle, when the home side attacked, they did a good job of shepherding DHS into comfortable zones for their defence to handle the home side’s forwards, directing the action towards the flanks of the field. When School brought the ball inside, KES flooded the central area, forcing the locals to run laterally without making meaningful circle entries

“We did a good job of guiding them to the outside, where it’s least dangerous for us. We did plan on that. It is one of the things we practiced this week,” Campbell explained.

The visitors drew first blood with a goal from Reece Small in the final seconds of the first chukka. After a sharp counterattack down the right, he provided a diving finish on the far post to give his side the lead.

Then, towards the end of the second chukka, KES intercepted a pass close to the halfway line and went on the offensive. A defence-splitting pass opened up an opportunity for a shot on goal, but it was parried DHS goalkeeper Dilan Ebrahim. Small, though, was in the right place at the right time and he slotted the rebound to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Eight minutes into the second half, DHS cut into KES’s lead when Thanda Ngejane pounced on a short corner rebound, pivoted and fired home. The Horseflies had started the second stanza with their intensity raised, and they had KES on the back foot. However, after KES had conceded, they quickly struck back.

They caught out DHS with a scything counterattack to win a penalty corner. A variation was stopped on the right-hand post by DHS, but the ball fell favourably for Kamohelo Tsoka, who slapped it into the backboard to make the score 3-1.

DHS never rolls over, however, and they kept up the fight. Five minutes into the last chukka, they pulled to within a goal of KES. A penalty corner trap was bobbled, but Christopher Abrahams picked up the ball, pulled it to his left and unleashed a sweet tomahawk to make it 3-2 to the Red Sticks.

DHS had hope, trailing by a goal, but it was left to the KES captain, Fynn Campbell, a calm presence in an at times fractious contest, to decide the outcome.

He stepped up to take a penalty stroke, with four minutes left on the clock. Cool as a cucumber, he dispatched the chance to make the game safe for his team.

Result

King Edward VII School: 4 (Reece Small 2, Kamohelo Tsoka, Fynn Campbell). Durban High School: 2 (Thanda Ngejane , Chris Abrahams).

The underdogs Boland Landbou defeated the hosts, Oakdale Landbou, 34-27 in Saturday’s Farmers Derby at Riverdal.

In defence of the home team, they were without five stars who were on duty for the SA u18 and SA u18A teams in the International Series.

When they met in 2024, Oakdale won 21-13 away from home. The Paarl visitors, though, truly deserved the cheers they received from their supporters when the fulltime whistle blew.

Boland Landbou’s flyhalf and captain, Pieter Bergh, playing without his halfback partner, SA u18 scrumhalf Jayden Brits, delivered an outstanding performance. In addition to his quick distribution of the ball, he knocked over three conversions and a cheeky drop goal to help his team to the win.

It was, however, Jadon Ocks, on the wing who was named the “King of the Match“. In a spectacular game, he went over for a try and did yeoman work on defence, keeping Boland Landbou’s defence secure on the left wing while also competing effectively as an extra flank at the touchline breakdowns.

Replacing five outstanding players proved to be a mountain too high for Oakdale to climb, but they gave it a good shot. While their set-piece was mostly solid, it lacked the domination that it had exhibited all season.

In the backline, flyhalf CT Vosloo really stood up for his side, scoring a try, a penalty and two conversions. Unfortunately for him, it wasn’t enough to overcome a fierce effort from the visitors.

Despite the loss, Oakdale can look back on a phenomenal campaign, which included handing Paarl Boys’ High their only loss, and a win over Paul Roos Gimnasium last weekend.

Much like Paarl Gim last weekend, the Riversdal outfit was frustrated to end a brilliant season with a loss to a derby rival. Meanwhile, like Boishaai, the underdogs in black ended their season on a high note, their morale boosted by a memorable win.

Scorers

Boland Landbou 34 (12) – Tries: Jeandré le Roux, Gehano van Bo, Jadon Ocks, Kody Nell, Diwan Schoeman. Conversions: Pieter Bergh (3). Drop Goal: Pieter Bergh; Oakdale Landbou 27 (12) – Tries: Adrian Smith, Anrich Scheffer, Sine Mdlankomo, CT Vosloo. Conversions: CT Vosloo (2). Penalties: CT Vosloo.

Results

U19 – Oakdale II 26 Boland II 17, Oakdale III 17 Boland III 12, Oakdale IV 20 Boland IV 3, Oakdale V 36 Boland V 10, Oakdale VI 14 Boland VI 21, Oakdale VII 66 Boland VII 12.

U16 – Oakdale A 10 Boland A 27, Oakdale B 10 Boland B 0, Oakdale C 10 Boland C 33, Oakdale D 7 Boland D 26.

U15 – Oakdale A 7 Boland A 14, Oakdale B 24 Boland B 7, Oakdale C 12 Boland C 7, Oakdale D 8 Boland D 3, Oakdale E 7 Boland E 10.

U14 – Oakdale A 22 Boland A 12, Oakdale B 29 Boland B 5, Oakdale C 12 Boland C 12, Oakdale D 36 Boland D 5, Oakdale E 5 Boland E 43.

Hoërskool Monument successfully defended their Noordvaal Cup title in emphatic style, defeating Hoërskool Zwartkop 3-0 in the final on Saturday.

Captain Reece Green opened the scoring late in the first chukka with a well-executed penalty corner. In the third chukka, Jaiden Smith extended the lead with a sharp field goal, before Caleb Aitken sealed the victory with a powerful drag flick into the bottom left corner.

Coach Divan Geyser was full of praise for his team’s performance and mental strength throughout the tournament.

“Obviously, we are very happy with the win and going back-to-back. The boys displayed good character throughout the tournament,” Geyser said.

“On paper, the three coaches – Tiaan Meyer, Jake Franklin, and I – had different roles in preparing and coaching the boys, but we view the win as a collective effort.”

Geyser said his team’s title success was built on tactical discipline and making the most of their chances.

“Our strategy was to play to our strengths, maintain possession, and capitalise on scoring opportunities. We worked tirelessly to perfect our teamwork and communication on the field,” he explained.

Monument enjoyed an outstanding season, playing 53 matches, winning 44 of them, while drawing six and losing only three. Winning the Noordvaal Cup for a second successive season was the cherry on the top after an outstanding campaign.

Geyser paid tribute to the matric players in the side who signed off with another title: “To the matrics, we are going to miss coaching every one of you,” he said. “You have grown so much as players and as individuals. We are proud of the progress you have made. Lastly, I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of your hockey journey.

“To the younger players, we are excited to see you continue growing and developing. Keep working hard, we are looking forward to seeing you build on everything that we have achieved thus far.”

RESULTS

1/2: Monument 3-0 Zwartkop
3/4: Potch Gim 1-3 Pietersburg
5/6: HTS Witbank (1) 2-2 (3) Nelspruit
7/8: Helpmekaar 2-1 Rustenburg
9/10: Waterkloof 3-2 Midstream
11/12: Sasolburg 6-2 Middelburg

FINAL STANDINGS

1. Monument
2. Zwartkop
3. Pietersburg
4. Porch Gim
5. Nelspruit
6. HTS Witbank
7. Helpmekaar
8. Rustenburg
9. Waterkloof
10. Midstream
11. Sasolburg
12. Middelburg