Kerrin Gillies scored a hat-trick to help her side record a 4-0 win over Pearson High. Photo: David Porter
Collegiate Girls’ High School maintained their unbeaten run in the Eastern Cape when they outplayed Pearson High School to record an impressive 4-0 win on Friday night, in Gqeberha.
The highly anticipated clash was deemed the match to watch in the province, and it duly delivered as the sides produced a spectacle at Pearson’s Top AstroTurf.
Heading into the encounter, Collegiate was the favourite and high in confidence after some comfortable victories in recent weeks.
Pearson, meanwhile, had suffered a 1-2 loss at the hands of DSG Makhanda, but they bounced back with an emphatic 5-0 win over Hudson Park High School.
The stage was set, and the atmosphere at the ground was electric, with both the home and away stands filled to the rafters.
After a cautious opening chukka, during which the sides tested each other out, trying to get a feel for the game, things took a turn in the second quarter.
Collegiate dominated ball possession and territory, and when they received a short corner with two minutes played, there was a sense that something special was on the cards.
Instead of going for a drag flick, they played a variation, and the ball landed comfortably for Jana Prinsloo on the right-hand side. With a simple touch off her stick, she gave her side the lead.
Collegiate doubled their tally soon after from another penalty corner. This time around, Kerrin Gillies sent the ball flying into the back of the net with a sweet drag flick, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.
Gillies, who has been in formidable form for coach Michael Abrahams’ team this season, got her second in the third chukka in a similar fashion.
Photo: David Porter
The Eastern Province u18A representative completed her hat-trick in the fourth chukka, again flicking past the Pearson goalie.
The hosts had their chances late in the game, but Collegiate was strong defensively, with Anna Porter and Jade Grobler rock-solid at the back.
They held on for the win and will take confidence into their next clash, a big showdown with DSG Makhanda next weekend.
DSG was, meanwhile, in action, at home on the Webster AstroTurf, where they romped to a 7-0 win over Clarendon High Schoolfor Girls. Abigail Holderness led the way with a hattrick, while her sister, Lucy, was also on the score sheet where they were joined by Anna Olivier, Jocelyn Appel, and Ava van der Walt.
Hudson Park, after a rough week, returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Merrifield College, courtesy of strikes by Mackenzie Goss and Hannah Faro.
Kingswood College also won, beating Stirling High 2-1, while Woodridge College downed Victoria Park 2-0, and Kingsridge Girls’ High, from Qonce, edged out Cambridge High 4-3.
RESULTS
Collegiate Girls’ High 4-0 Pearson High
Woodridge College 2-0 Victoria Park
Kingswood College 2-1 Stirling High
Hudson Park 2-0 Merrifield
Kingsridge Girls’ High 4-3 Cambridge High School
DSG Makhanda 7-0 Clarendon
“Senutergend” som die stryd, vernaam in die laaste 10 minute, op wat gewoed het tussen Hoërskool Die Anker en Hoërskool Secunda in die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Skild-afdeling, Saterdag in Brakpan.
Die terugkeer van die tuisspan se kaptein, Ruben Herbst, was ongetwyfeld die hupstoot wat hy nodig gehad het om weer na die volgende rat oor te skakel en ‘n sege van 34-32 te beklink.
Herbst, in sy gunstelingposisie as agsteman, het vier keer bresse in die besoekers se verdediging geslaan vir ‘n merkwaardige vierkuns aan drieë. Herbst se neef, Edrick Pienaar, óók terug van ‘n besering, het drie van dié vier verdoel.
Die twee neefs se terugkeer het beslis ‘n reuse verskil gemaak, vernaam wat die fisieke uitdaging wat die stryd gebied het, en het vir die ervare Danie Smit die weg gebaan om met sy vernuf op losskakel ook ‘n groot aandeel in dié naelskraapse oorwinning te hê.
Secunda se loskopstut, Rico Schoeman, het voorlangs gemaal en met die ondersteuning van oopkanflank, Sifiso Hlangwane, die tuisspan se groot agttal deurgaans besig gehou. Losskakel, Alonzo Blackenberg, het die telbord aan die rol gehou vir die besoekers met drie doelskoppe en twee strafdoele.
In Pretoria is die skare by Hoërskool Montana bederf met ‘n hoogs aanskoulike eerstespan-kragmeting, waarin die Monties uiteindelik met 45-24 oor die gevaarlike Heidelberg Volkskool kon baasspeel. Binnesenter, Hendrew Schoeman, is weer sy gevaarlike self op die aanval en het, saam met skrumskakel, Braam Schutte, die Volkies met twee drieë elk gekasty.
Hoewel beserings aan drie sleutelspelers vroeg in die eerste helfte hul ietwat van balans gehad het, het plaasvervanger, Juan de Villiers, die Volkies weer saamgesnoer met sy twee drieë na die omdraaislag. Dit was helaas nie genoeg om die uiteindelike nederlaag met 21 punte af te weer nie.
Hoërskool Lichtenburg se steelkantflank, Tiaan Booysen, het Hoërskool Piet Retief se Jack Botes-stadion Saterdag aan die brand gespeel en die Pieties gekarnuffel met ‘n welverdiende driekuns aan drieë, in die span van Noordwes se oortuigende sege van 40-14. Skrumskakel, Rea Motsusi, ‘n lid van die Luiperds se voorlopige Cravenweekgroep, het ook uitgeblink met sy flink diens.
In Springs het ‘n drie in die doodsnikke vir Hoërskool Hugenote met 18-18 gelykop laat speel met Hoërskool Ben Vorster. Die rustydtelling was 3-3, wat ‘n aanduiding gee van hóé taai die stryd op die Hugies se tuisveld was.
Ondanks talle ontwrigtinge kort voor die afskop, kon Hoërskool Wesvalia steeds daarin slaag om sy aanspraak op vanjaar se Plaat-titel in die SDC Noordvaal Cup met ‘n sege van 43-38 oor Hoërskool Oos-Moot te verstewig.
Die Wessies het losskakel en kaptein, Eduard Dreyer, ter elfder ure verloor, wat skielik ‘n taamlike leemte gelaat, vernaam wat Dreyer se veelsydigheid agterlangs betref.
Binnesenter, Wian du Preez het oorgeskuif om Dreyer te vervang op losskakel, waar hy terloops verlede jaar die Luiperds se junior spanne verteenwoordig het, terwyl Fafa Calitz van vleuel middeveld toe moes skuif.
Du Preez het ‘n groot paar skoene gehad om vol te staan, maar homself uitstekend van die taak gekwyt. Hy het spel puik dikteer en self ‘n paar keer die Oosies se verdediging gefnuik, wat op ‘n drie vir hom uitgeloop het.
Boonop was sy korrelwerk pale toe ‘n bonus en het dit op die einde van die dag ‘n vername rol gespeel in die Wessies se triomf. Du Preez was in die kol met vier doelskoppe en vier strafdoele, wat sy persoonlike totaal op 25 punte te staan gebring het.
Die Oosies se werkesel op slot, Stian de Vente, was ‘n onbesonge held in die Pretorianers se pak en het drie keer oorgebars vir ‘n welverdiende driekuns in straks sy beste wedstryd van die seisoen.
In Klerksdorp het Hoërskool Klerksdorp, met tyd bykans verstreke, gedruk om vir Hoërskool Middelburg naelskraaps met 25-24 te klop. Losskakel, Dorian Isaacs, gaan van krag tot krag sedert sy skuif van heelagter, terwyl buitesenter, Winton Abrahams, ook weer beïndruk het wanneer hy geleentheid gekry het om die Middies se verdediging te beproef.
Middies se Matthew Abbey het op losskakel nie teruggestaan vir Isaacs nie en kon op die ou einde spog met ‘n persoonlike bydare van 14 punte. Voorlangs het Middies se vaskopstut, Dewald du Toit, ‘n barshou gespeel en een van sy span se drie drieë gedruk.
Hoërskool Marais Viljoen se kaptein, Ethan Weideman, het van voor gelei in sy span se tweede agtereenvolgende sege in die Plaat-afdeling. Die klein skrumskakel het twee keer agter Ligbron Akademie se doellyn gaan draai vir nogmaals ‘n naelbytsege van 37-26 oor die besoekers van Ermelo.
Vir die Liggies het staatmaker-senter, Siynada Dennison, sy dansskoene aangehad om self twee keer deur te wals vir drieë.
Hoërskool Zwartkop het sy onoorwonne veldtog vir 2025 voortgesit met ‘n redelik gemaklike sege van 26-10 oor Hoërskool Kempton Park in Centurion. Dit was die Zwarries se 12de agtereenvolgende oorwinning vanjaar, met haker, Reagn Blignaut, wat vir sy vyfde drie in twee wedstryde oorgeduik het.
Vir die Kempies was losskakel, Stian de Villiers, se balverspreiding puik, maar dir kon oplaas nie ‘n wesenlike verskil aan die uitslag maak nie.
Puntemakers:
Wesvalia 43 (27) – Drieë: Joshua Pieters, Wian du Preez, Fafa Calitz, Martin Bierman. Doelskoppe: Wian du Preez (4). Strafdoel: Du Preez (4). Oos-Moot 38 (14) – Drieë: Stian de Vente (3), David Joubert, Clayton du Bruyn, Dewron Aford. Doelskoppe: Jeandré Venter (4)
Potchefstroom Gimnasium is, na straks die opwindendste plaaslike derby in jare, Saterdagmiddag vir die derde agtereenvolgende keer as die “Prinse” van Potch gekroon.
Die Gimmies moes nietemin hard werk om vanjaar se gevaarlike Potchefstroom Volkskool uiteindelik met 21-12 af te stof. Dit was boonop ‘n heel gepaste inwyding vir die nuutgedoopte Piet Malan-veld (A-veld).
Soos wat normaalweg met ‘n derby die geval is, het dit ‘n groot naam geverg om uit te staan. Vir die Gimmies was dit, vir die soveelste keer die afgelope paar seisoene, binnesenter en onderkaptein, Elrich Bosch. Bosch was eenvoudig briljant, met sy tweekuns aan drieë wat uiteindelik die verskil tussen die twee spanne beteken het.
Die Gimmies se kaptein, Reuel Potgieter, het self voorlangs gewoeker en die toon vir die res van die pak aangegee. Die kantman was verál van onskatbare waarde op die verdediging en het ook in die los en vastelos sy lyf op die spel geplaas.
Die Volkies was egter geensins te versmaai nie en, hoewel hulle hierdie slag vasgeval het, is ‘n herontmoeting met die Gimmies in die latere stadiums van die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Bowl-afdeling ‘n besliste moontlikheid aangesien dié twee spanne vroeg reeds na vore tree as van die sterkste aanspraakmakers op die titel.
Agterlangs het losskakel, Lorenzo Louw, sake netjies dikteer met sy visie en aanvoeling wat die Gimmies dikwels aan die raai gehad, terwyl regtervleuel, Lethabo Riet, weer in ‘n aanvallende bui was om een van Volkies se twee drieë te druk. Hy en buitesenter, Hennie Pretorius, het by meer as een geleentheid hul vaart tentoongestel om die Gimmies se verdedigers na grashalms te laat gryp.
Dit was egter nie genoeg om deur die tuisspan se uitmuntende verdediging in die laaste kwart te breek nie, en dus kon Gimmies vasbyt vir ‘n welverdiende sege.
Paarl Gimnasium continued their winning ways on the weekend when they defeated Parel Vallei 3-1 in Somerset. Photo: JB – LookonImages
Schoolboy hockey is often the topic of discussion in the Western Cape, and rightfully so because the province produces some of the best players and teams in the country.
However, in recent years, the girls’ game has improved tremendously with teams across the province asserting their dominance and putting on a show for spectators every week.
The past weekend’s action was a testament to how far girls’ hockey has come in the Western Cape with top sides meeting in local derbies and crucial league fixtures and putting on a show.
On Friday night, the matches that stood out were the meetings between Parel Vallei and Paarl Gimnasium, and Rhenish Girls’ High School against Paarl Girls’ High, in Stellenbosch.
Paarl Gim had a bye the previous week and returned to action seeking to make a statement against coach Wayne Coetzee’s Parel Vallei side.
They proved to be too strong for PV, and a brace by Imke Koegelenberg, followed by a goal from Anya Swanepoel, sealed a 3-1 win away from home.
In Stellenbosch, Rhenish was on fire in an 8-0 dismantling of Paarl Girls’ High. Rhenish’s Stellenbosch rivals, HMS Bloemhof, outclassed Rustenburg Girls’ High to claim a 4-0 win.
They were ruthless in attack and played an expensive brand of hockey but, most importantly, they capitalised on the chances they created inside their opponent’s circle.
Leah du Plessis led from the front with a hat-trick, while vice-captain Frankie Henn grabbed two of her own. Lilly Newton, who was on the scoresheet against St Cyprian’s, scored again, and Nicola van der Merwe and Katherine Sickle sealed the comprehensive win.
After suffering a hefty loss against Rhenish, St Cyprian’s School picked up a win against DF Malan. Photo: Khulani Media
Cape Town also hosted Hyundai Friday Nite Lights action, with Reddam House Constantia facing Springfield Convent School, and St Cyprian’s hosting DF Malan.
It was a cracker between Reddam and Springfield, who were both aiming to return to winning ways after defeats against Bloemhof and Herschel Girls School, respectively.
At the end, though, the sides could not be separated after they had played to a sizzling 3-3 draw, with Courtney Thomas, Jess Bester, and Juliet Macgregor finding the back of the net for Reddam.
Bella Amm put on a masterclass for Springfield, scoring a hat-trick to ensure her side didn’t take a home loss.
While Friday night’s five fixtures entertained, the action was far from done and it continued on Saturday morning.
The Durbanville versus Tygerberg High match was cancelled, but three others were played. Fairmont High School kicked off proceedings against Rustenburg Girls’ High.
After playing to a 2-2 draw with DF Malan the previous weekend, Fairmont had their eyes set on collecting maximum points at home.
Madison Ackerman received a guard of honour as she walked out for her 100th appearance for Fairmont High School against Rustenburg Girls. Fairmont won that clash 2-1. Photo: Fairmont High School Hockey Team
Under the guidance of coach Bryce West, Liza Duckitt, and Jody Lang, the girls in green secured an impressive 2-1 victory, with Camryn Corner scoring both goals for her side.
It was also a special occasion for Madison Ackerman, who made her 100th appearance for the school, and celebrated it with a win.
Stellenberg High School, meanwhile, shook up things in their match against Herschel.
Coach Paulene de Bruin’s side has made massive strides, and they entered their clash against an in-form Herschel after a 7-0 win over Wynberg Girls’ High last time out.
Herschel had, meanwhile, defeated Springfield in the Herschfield Derby, so they were confident, and they expected to get the job done.
However, Stellenberg took a page out of their boys’ book. Last week, Stellies upset Bishops, winning 2-1 at the Woodlands AstroTurf. On this occasion, the girls stunned Herschel, pulling off an upset 3-2 win.
Juane Meiring, Stella Zwiegers and Stephanie Lloyd were the heroes for the Bellville school, who will next turn their attention to a meeting with DF Malan.
Wynberg Girls’ High got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Curro Durbanville. Captain Jehan Abrahams scored for Wynberg, as did Kailin Heath and Michaela Doyle.
There was also action in George, where York High beat Langenhoven Gimnasium 4-1, while Hoërskool Outeniqua thumped Gqeberha’s Hoërskool Framesby 4-0.
RESULTS
York High School 4-1 Langenhoven Gimnasium
Reddam House 3-3 Springfield Convent School
HMS Bloemhof 4-0 Rustenburg Girls’ High School
Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 Parel Vallei
St Cyprian’s School 7-1 DF Malan
Rhenish Girls’ High 8-0 Paarl Girls’ High
Fairmont High School 2-1 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Wynberg Girls’ High 3-1 Curro Durbanville
Stellenberg 3-2 Herschel Girls School
Outeniqua 4-0 Framesby
Westville Boys’ High withstood a furious DHS fightback to claim a thrilling 33-28 victory on Bowden’s Field. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Bowden’s Field was jam-packed and there was electricity in the air, which served to underline the stakes and the massive interest in the match when unbeaten Westville Boys’ High met one-loss Durban High School on Saturday in a clash to determine KwaZulu-Natal’s top rugby team of 2025.
After an enthralling contest in which fortunes ebbed and flowed, Westville held off a huge onslaught from DHS in the second half to claim a 33-28 victory that richly rewarded the crowd amassed around the field.
“It was up and down, a rollercoaster, but everyone knew it was going to come down to this,” Westville’s coach Zander Erasmus told SuperSport Schools Plus after the game.
“It’s been building up the whole year. It was amazing. We’ve worked hard.”
In the early going, Westville played the game in the DHS half, dominating territory, and that brought them early reward when right-wing, Ntobeko Sithole, took a skip pass on the left-hand touchline and barrelled his way over for the opening score.
Flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman, whose kicking played a vital role in Westville’s win, knocked over the tough conversion.
The teams, then, swopped penalties, with Koopman knocking over two and Jordan van Wyk responding for DHS with two of his own to make it 13-6 in favour of the hosts.
School reduced the gap to only two points when, after laying siege to the home team’s try line, the burly Zingce Simka crashed over for the visitors’ first try.
DHS, as they always do, delivered a committed, physical challenge. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Trailing only 11-13, DHS was right back in the contest, with less than two minutes remaining until halftime. From the kick off, though, a wild series of events culminated in Westville scoring their second try.
The high kick was knocked back by DHS, but way too hard, and the ball flew deep into the Horseflies‘ 22. Scrumhalf Marcwin Nero gathered it under pressure and flung a pass inside, but there was no one to receive.
Flyhalf Cilermo Carolus sprinted after it and just before the ball went over the dead-ball line swiped it back into the field of play. The ball fell kindly for Westville centre Sean McGough and he gratefully pounced on it to dot down.
Koopman slotted the extras, and Westville turned nine points to the good at 20-11.
Early in the second half, the home team swept back onto the attack, sucking in the DHS defence as the forwards drove the ball up. When it was eventually released to the backline, Koopman found Jadrian Afrikaner in space out wide on the right with a floated pass and Afrikaner was over. Koopman kept his 100 percent kicking record intact to make it 27-11.
Both teams exhibited rugged defence when put under pressure. Photo: Brad Morgan.
DHS needed to respond. If Westville scored next, they would surely go on to dominate from there. DHS, though, plays with immense character and grit, and they took charge by playing the game deep in the home team’s half.
Their captain Daniel Ikotela led the way, breaking away from a maul inside the Westville 22 to dive over for five.
Then, Cilermo Carolus set up a magnificent try. It began from a lineout on the Westville 10m line from which scrumhalf Marcwin Nero ran at the hosts’ defensive line, drawing them in. Then, with a deep pass, he found Carolus sprinting into a gap. The flyhalf pinned his ears back, sold a dummy, and was almost over from 38 metres out. Just as he was brought down, with the try line in front of him, he popped a pass to Nathan Aneke, on his outside, and the number 13 was over.
After Van Wyk converted the try, only four points separated the teams. At 27-23, it was anybody’s game, and just before the hour mark DHS snatched the lead for the first time in the contest. This time, they profited from a Westville error.
DHS snatched the lead late in the second half and jumped for joy when Marcwin Nero dived onto a loose ball behind the Westville try line. Their lead lasted barely a minute, however. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The home side won a lineout close to their own try line, but it wasn’t clean, with the ball being tapped back. Westville skipper Liam Simpkins bobbled the ball and when he dropped it behind the whitewash, his opposite number, Nero, snapped up the opportunity, diving onto the ball for a try.
Van Wyk’s conversion attempt was wide of the mark, but DHS led 28-27. Westville was not done, though. Their response was outstanding.
“The message was simple,” Westville coach Zander Erasmus said. “Stay calm. If we play in the right area, we’ll be fine. No need to panic.”
Simpkins and company took the advice on board and, aided by a penalty straight from the kick off, which Koopman steered between the uprights, they hit the front once more, edging ahead 30-28.
They, also, played the game in the DHS half, reversing the momentum that had brought the visitors 17 unanswered points before the Westville number 10 had made the penalty kick.
Keeping it with the forwards, the Griffin bashed away at the DHS try line, taking the ball through phase after phase. School, though, came away with possession, but the referee blew his whistle for DHS using their hands in the ruck.
Again, Koopman, with admirable calm, made the high-pressure kick to boost his personal contribution to Westville’s total to 18 points.
A couple of minutes later, Simpkins was able to kick the ball into touch from a scrum and Westville had claimed a splendid five-point victory.
“For me, to be able to compete against DHS, who have been a powerhouse of KZN rugby for the last five years, being in the same conversation, and now proving our programme is building and we can now compete, not just play, but compete and win these big matches [is important],” Westville’s Zander Erasmus said afterwards.
Westville flyhalf Jade-Will Koopman impressed with a composed performance, and his goal kicking contribution was match-winning. Photo: Brad Morgan.
In 2024, in one of the games of the year, Westville and King Edward VII (KES) drew 36-36 on Bowden’s. With time almost up in that game, and the home team trailing by five points, Jade-Will Koopman had created one of the tries of the season, taking the ball in the right-hand corner and racing out of the Westville 22 on the left. After an electrifying run, with the try line in sight, he was brought down, but he found Jadrian Afrikaner over his left shoulder to level the scores with a try in the corner.
Koopman had made every kick until then, but his conversion attempt, in the wind, from the touchline, was wide. He was inconsolable. He shouldn’t have been. He had been terrific.
On Saturday, against DHS, his trusty boot made the difference. This time, his kicking record was perfect. Erasmus explained how the Westville number 10 trains for the big pressure moments: “When we train, he comes to me and says ‘Coach, shout at me. I create a barrier for myself.’ He goes and he blocks it out. He’s grown from that [KES experience].
“He’s learnt that the game is process-driven and not outcome-driven. He sticks to his process and blocks the noise out. That’s phenomenal growth from him.”
His face overcome with ecstatic joy, Westville captain Liam Simpkins runs towards his schoolmates to celebrate victory after the final whistle had sounded. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Reflecting on the win, Erasmus admitted: “It’s one of my proudest days as a coach. It must be. It’s up there.”
After the final whistle, the combatants, who had given their all, showed meaningful respect to their opponents as they embraced. It was impressive stuff.
Westville’s Director of Sport, Pam Hayward, hid tears of pride behind a pair of dark sunglasses. The usually implacable DHS Director of Sport, Nathan Pillay, put an arm around her shoulder and congratulated her. It was a classy conclusion to a memorable showdown.
SCORES
Westville Boys’ High 33 (20) – Tries: Ntobeko Sithole, Sean McGough, Jadrian Afrikaner. Conversions: Jade-Will Koopman (3). Penalties: Jade-Will Koopman (4); Durban High School 28 (11) – Tries: Zingce Simka, Daniel Ikotela, Nathan Aneke, Marcwin Nero. Conversions: Jordan van Wyk. Penalties: Jordan van Wyk (2).
RESULTS
Westville vs DHS
u19 – Westville I 33 DHS I 28; Westville II 13 DHS II 13; Westville III 12 DHS III 27; Westville IV 6 DHS IV 16; Westville V 0 DHS V 12; Westville VI 7 DHS VI 12.
u16 – Westville A 24 DHS A 27; Westville B 19 DHS B 21; Westville C 15 DHS C 0; Westville D 0 DHS D 5
u15 – Westville A 3 DHS A 12; Westville B 6 DHS B 22; Westville C 22 DHS C 10; Westville D 40 DHS D 7; Westville E 39 DHS E 14.
u14 – Westville A 18 DHS A 23; Westville B 5 DHS B 43; Westville C 19 DHS C 5; Westville D 15 DHS D 12; Westville E 57 DHS E 7.
Glenwood vs Northwood
u19 – Northwood I 30 Glenwood I 16; Northwood II 15 Glenwood II 17; Northwood III 17 Glenwood III 12; Northwood IV 56 Glenwood IV 0; Northwood V 14 Glenwood V 24; Northwood VI 19 Glenwood VI 29
u16 – Northwood A 19 Glenwood A 26; Northwood B 13 Glenwood B 10; Northwood C 17 Glenwood C 10; Northwood D 29 Glenwood D 5
u15 – Northwood A 21 Glenwood A 19; Northwood B 13 Glenwood B 10; Northwood C 8 Glenwood C 8; Northwood D 17 Glenwood D 18
u14 – Northwood A 5 Glenwood A 7; Northwood B 19 Glenwood B 19; Northwood C 22 Glenwood C 5; Northwood D 17 Glenwood D 18
Parktown Boys High School captain – Zeyad Davids. Photo: sourced
St David’s Marist Inanda showcased strong resilience to hold Parktown Boys’ High to a thrilling 2–2 draw after a closely contested clash, on Saturday, at Parktown.
They trailed by a goal when Parktown scored six minutes into the third chukka, but St David’s dug deep and found a late equaliser to deny the hosts a victory.
The visitors made a promising start, coming out of the blocks with intensity and opening the scoring after seven minutes after a length of the field counterattack.
Just 15 seconds remained in the first chukka when Parktown levelled. Backed by a lively home crowd and the school band, the home team found their rhythm.
It was 1-1 at halftime.
Then, in the third quarter, Parktown, after a scramble following a penalty corner, hit the front for the first time.
St David’s pressed hard for an equaliser and two minutes from time their never-say-die efforts paid off after they turned over possession high up the field and finished a counterattack with a spectacular tomahawk shot that gave the Parktown ‘keeper no chance.
Reflecting on the match, Parktown captain Zeyad Davids said both teams had their chances and were guilty of mistakes.
“Going up against St David’s is always a challenge. They’re passionate, and they fight for every ball,” Davids said. “The game was close throughout, but mistakes crept in on both sides and ultimately led to goals.
“Being 2–1 up until the last minutes felt great. There was pressure, but the boys handled it well. Unfortunately, one slip in midfield allowed them to score.
“Still, I’m proud of my team, both sides played well and gave it their all.”
King Edward VII School (KES) travelled to Pretoria to face Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies). In a six-goal thriller, the Red Sticksnetted late to pull off a stunning comeback and Affies to a 3-3 draw.
The home side enjoyed control of the contest in the early going and they went ahead in the first chukka, but KES, playing with composure and tactical discipline, equalised in the second chukka on the counter.
Affies replied with a second goal in the third chukka to take a 2-1 lead into the last quarter of the match.
With the game on the line, the fourth chukka was about all-out action, and only two minutes in KES was on level terms. Affies, though, edged in front once more and, with time running short, it appeared as if the Red Sticks were about to go down. They kept fighting, though, and snatched a late equaliser to rescue a share of the spoils.
RESULTS
Parktown Boys’ High 2-2 St David’s Marist Inanda
Affies 3-3 KES
St Alban’s College turned on the style to claim a hard-fought 3-1 home victory over their neighbours, Pretoria Boys High School (PBHS), in a Hyundai Friday Nite Lights fixture.
St Alban’s College delivered a superb performance at home to defeat their city rivals, Pretoria Boys High 3-1. Photo: St Alban’s College on Facebook.
Playing at home, St Alban’s delivered a fast-paced game in front of a packed crowd, securing a win that was, undoubtedly, one of the highlights of a very good season for the blue and grey.
From the first whistle, the teams came out gun blazing, but the defenders on both ends performed their duties solidly to keep the scoreboard static.
In the final minute of the first chukka, though, St Alban’s edged in front by capitalising on a penalty corner.
That goal appeared to give them an injection of confidence, and they doubled their lead in the second chukka with another clinical penalty corner finish, which beat Boys High’s outstanding goalkeeper Owen McMenamin low and to his right.
Despite going two goals down, Boys High continued to play good hockey. They came out more forcefully in the third chukka, pressing high, and made better use of their possession.
Their efforts and persistence paid off when they pulled one goal back with a rocket of a drag flick from a PC to make it 2-1 and ignite the hope of a comeback.
However, in a carbon copy of their second goal, St Alban’s struck again in the last minute of the third chukka, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Up 3-1, they controlled the tempo of the game and maintained their composure through the final quarter to score an outstanding win.
“It was a great atmosphere out there, and the first half of hockey was arguably some of the best hockey we have played this season,” said St Alban’s Director of Hockey, Robin Jones.
“Credit to the boys as they stuck to the plan and executed a lot of what we did in training.
“We were particularly pleased with our penalty corner routine on the night, and credit to the boys who managed to score past a very good goalkeeper.”
Jones also praised Pretoria Boys High for their fightback in the second half and acknowledged the physicality of the encounter: “PBHS did well to get back into the game in the second half, and with cards going both ways, the last quarter became a real test of grit.
“A saved stroke and a third goal helped us get over the line in what was a hard-fought encounter – a really great advert for schoolboy hockey.”
In another big Pretoria derby, Hoërskool Garsfontein continued their strong run of form with a dominant 4-0 victory over Die Hoërskool Menlopark.
Garsfontein’s attacking unit was clinical, punishing defensive errors and controlling the game throughout.
Midstream College also enjoyed a convincing 4-0 win, brushing aside Hoërskool Overkruin in a one-sided affair.
RESULTS
St Alban’s College 3-1 Pretoria Boys High
Hoërskool Garsfontein 4-0 Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Midstream College 4-0 Hoërskool Overkruin
Hoërskool Garsfontein se “skrumpet-brigade” het die Bere se aanslag Saterdagmiddag in Pretoria gelei om ‘n derde agtereenvolgende sege in die Beker-afdeling van vanjaar se SDC Noordvaal Cup te behaal.
Die twee ratse vleuels, Junaide Stuart en Drewyn Baron, het elk twee keer deurgedartel om agter Die Hoërskool Menlopark se doellyn te gaan kuier in die verdedigende kampioen se oortuigende sege van 40-27 in die Parkies se agterplaas. Dié blitsige duo was deurgaans giftig op die aanval, van bykans enige hoek op die veld, en het op die dag kop en skouers bo die res uitgestaan.
Die Parkies was nietemin vir ‘n groot gedeelte van die stryd binne trefafstand van die Bere en het selfs met die omdraaislag geklou aan ‘n voorsprong van 15-14. Daarna het dit ‘n effense wipplankstryd afgegee, met die voortou wat ‘n paar keer hande verwissel het. Dit was totdat Stuart en Baron na hoogste versnelling oorgeskakel het.
Voorlangs het die pakke mekaar met mening aangevat. Die tuisspan se kantman, Tiaan Boshoff, was nie net ‘n tier met sy lakwerk nie, maar het ook dikwels met sy barslopies vir Parkies op die voorvoet geplaas en is met ‘n vyfpunter beloon vir sy kranige spel.
Hoërskool Rustenburg het ietwat verras deur vir Hoërskool Nelspruit met 38-32 te troef. Die Rhinos se nederlaag het weer benadruk hoe belangrik tuisveldvoordeel is in ‘n reeds strawwe afdeling waar wegoorwinnings so skaars soos hoendertande is.
Die Rusties se Ayden Willemse is as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys. Willemse wat vandeesweek op heelagter ingeskuif het, was oor die algemeen uitstekend met sy aanvalsvernuf, wat die tuisspan in ‘n oogwink die voortou help neem het, en was self vir een van die Rusties se vyf drieë verantwoordelik. Boonop was sy korrelwerk pale toe ook van hoogstaande gehalte en het hy geslaag met ál vyf doelskoppe en ‘n strafdoel vir ‘n persoonlike bydrae van 18 punte.
Die besoekers vanuit Mbombela kan egter nooit afgeskryf word nie. Selfs met ‘n agterstand van 15-35 wat hulle in die gesig gestaar het, het hulle ‘n terugvegpoging van stapel gestuur wat uiteindelik die asems in Rustenburg laat ophou het. Kaptein, Vaughn van Zyl, en slot, André Smit, het uitgetroon in die loopgraafoorlogvoering voorlangs en is elk ‘n drie beloon.
Pretoria’s Die Hoërskool Menlopark will face Durban’s Our Lady of Fatima in the St Anne’s Cup final. Photo: Brad Morgan.
Die Hoërskool Menlopark and Our Lady of Fatima will meet in the final of the St Anne’s Cup, at St Anne’s, in Hilton, on Sunday.
In the semifinals, late on Saturday, Menlopark triumphed 3-2 over Eunice on penalties after the sides were deadlocked at 0-0 following regulation time. Our Lady of Fatima scored a thrilling 1-0 win over last year’s champion, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.
Those wins, of course, mean there will be a new name on the St Anne’s Cup and a new home for it for the next year.
Our Lady of Fatima’s path to the final was not entirely smooth. They began their campaign with a 1-2 defeat against Durban Girls’ College (DGC). However, in a must-win match, they recorded a 2-0 victory over Waterkloof in their second Pool D fixture.
Those results left them in second place in the group and set up a quarterfinal date with last year’s bronze medallists, St Anne’s. The Durban school hit their straps against the hosts, powering their way to a 4-2 win to set up a meeting with familiar foes, St Mary’s DSG, Kloof.
Our Lady of Fatima’s attack found themselves up against a solid defence in a tight battle for a place in the title game. The Durban school, though, was good when not in possession and St Mary’s struggled to outlet.
With over 100 caps to her name, the experienced Jenna Shaw will have a key role to play for Our Lady of Fatima in the St Anne’s Cup final against Die Hoërskool Menlopark. Photo: Brad Morgan.
The contest was deadlocked until the final chukka when Our Lady of Fatima made the all-important breakthrough, converting a penalty corner three minutes in, which proved to be enough to see them through to the final.
When Menlopark met Eunice, Annika Kloppers, the Menlopark goalkeeper, pulled off two brilliant saves to deny Eunice victory in the shootout.
Those stops were an extension of an outstanding game by the netminder, who denied some good Eunice goal-scoring opportunities during regulation time.
Their victory, though, was about more than a fantastic goalkeeping performance. Chanette Jansen van Vuuren was immense in the middle of the park and was judged to be Menlopark’s Player of the Match.
It was heart-stopping stuff in the penalty shootout, with the sides level at 2-2 following the first round during which Zoe Badenhorst and Monique Gerber converted for Menlo.
In the sudden death shootout, Badenhorst netted again, and when Kloppers denied Eunice once more the Pretoria school was through to the title decider.
When he spoke to Supersport Schools ahead of the tournament, Menlopark’s coach, Brad Brook, optimistically shared that while his team was focused on taking things “a game at a time” his side’s primary goal was to first improve on their performance from last year. With the win, they ensured that they would.
Not only have his charges guaranteed themselves a podium finish, but they also have a one-in-two chance of lifting the title.
From their first match, on Friday, Menlopark signalled their intent by overwhelming Worcester Gimnasium 9-0.
They, however, suffered a setback in their second outing, falling 0-2 to St Anne’s. As the second-place finishers in Pool A, they had earned a quarterfinal clash with last year’s runner-up, Durban Girls’ College (DGC).
Menlopark got off to the start they wanted against DGC, seizing the initiative with a first-chukka goal and doubling their lead in second quarter. DGC was able to pull one back in the fourth chukka, but it was too late.
On their way to the final, Menlopark and Our Lady of Fatima combined to eliminate last year’s top four finishers. They have proven themselves to be the teams to beat and a humdinger of a contest beckons in the title game.
RESULTS
Voortrekker (Bethlehem) 1-0 Worcester Gim
Waterkloof 3-0 The Wykeham Collegiate
Our Lady of Fatima 4-2 St Anne’s
Menlopark 2-1 DGC
Eunice (3) 3-3 (2) Waterkloof
St Mary’s DSG 2-1 St John’s DSG
The Wykeham Collegiate 2-1 Voortrekker (Bethlehem)
DGC (2) 0-0 (0) Waterkloof
Noordheuwel 5-1 Worcester Gim
Menlopark (3) 0-0 (2) Eunice
Our Lady of Fatima 1-0 St Mary’s DSG Kloof
