Trent Jessop struck for Northwood as they successfully defended the u18 Guschkie Top Schools title they had won in 2023, beating Grey College in a repeat of the previous year’s the final.
In 2023, they won 2-0. This time around, it was tighter, but the Knights won 1-0 to repeat as champions in Bloemfontein on Saturday.
Both schools were the class of their groups, winning all of their matches.
Northwood ran out comfortable 4-0 winners over both DF Malan and St Andrew’s School, but were pushed harder by Worcester Gimnasium and Menlopark, winning those games 2-1. The also beat Somerset College 4-1.
It was an impressive run, but the Knights’ coach Justin Collins felt his charges were not at their best in pool play.
“We did not play our best hockey in the pool stages but had some good results,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus, before adding, “The Northwood boys definitely stood up in the final and everyone did their jobs really well.”,
Grey also cruised through the group stage. They won their first match comfortably, beating HoërskoolEldoraigne 4-0. They followed up with a 3-0 win over Menlopark, and then beat St Andrew’s School 2-0. They also kept a clean sheet against DF Malan, winning that game 5-0.
Saturday evening’s title-decider was a tight clash. At half-time, the teams were deadlocked at 0-0. Then, in the third chukka, Northwood was presented with a golden goal-scoring opportunity.
“We put an overhead into the circle and the ‘keeper closed down the striker’s space, resulting in a penalty stroke. Trent Jessop stepped up and scored the goal,” said Collins
“It was a well-contested game with both teams creating opportunities. It was a game of tactics where both teams were strong. We identified some areas that we could take advantage of, and we threatened in the correct areas,” he explained.
Northwood’s South African Schools’ goalkeeper Harlee Jagga was in superb form, keeping Grey at bay. “Grey had a couple of short corners but Harlee Jagga in goal was up to the task, making some key saves in the first half and in the dying moments of the game,” Collins said.
“Northwood winning 1-0, this is a great send-off for our matrics in their last tournament,” he added.
Grey’s coach Wayne Coetzee said his team worked hard, but they just couldn’t find a way through the Knights’ stubborn defence.
“The boys played okay. We just couldn’t put the ball in the back of the goals. We tried everything, even took off the keeper with five-and-a-half minutes to go, and we still couldn’t get a goal.”
Die meester van Hoërskool Waterkloof se middeveld het drie keer deurgewals vir ‘n gedenkwaardige driekuns in sy span se sege van 53-45 oor Hoërskool Monument.
Met dié bonuspuntsege het die Klofies die Beker-afdeling se rondomtalie-fase as die nr. 1-span op die puntelys afgesluit en geniet hulle derhalwe eerskommende naweek tuisveldvoordeel in die halfeindronde, wéér teen Monument.
Die afgelope naweek se kragmeting het in die tweede helfte behoorlik vlamgevat, maar die tuisspan het, soos verwag, vir die volle 70 minute aanhou baklei vir daardie tuishalfeind.
Die Krugersdorpers het ‘n agterstand van 19-31 teen rustyd in die gesig gestaar, maar hul ritme skitterend herwin en die wipplankstryd wat hom in die tweede 35 minute afgespeel het is deur die Monumentare se binnesenter, Hugo van der Merwe, en skrumskakel, Evan Bernhardi, met ‘n tweekuns elk ingelei.
Die Klofie-pak het vir die eerste keer sedert die besering aan Marko Kok weer op alle silinders gevuur, met slot, Mikhal Odendaal, wat die aanslag gelei en die besoekers van Pretoria se rekening met sy tweede drie in soveel wedstryde geopen het. Nóg goeie nuus vir die Blou Tornado is dat hul Cravenweek-senter en kaptein, Riwan van Aswegen, suksesvol teruggekeer het van sy skouerbesering en in die tweede helfte opgekom het om een van sy span se ses drieë te druk.
In die ander kragmeting in Krugersdorp, het Hoërskool Noordheuwel en Hoërskool Nelspruit Vrydagmiddag hul ondersteuners vergas op een van die aanskoulikste wedstryde in vanjaar se afdeling.
Die Nories en Rhinos het alles uitgehaal in hul laaste wedstryd van die seisoen en, met letterlik niks te kies tussen die twee spanne nie, was die uiteindelike telling van 40-40 waarskynlik die getrouste weergawe van die tweestryd.
Die skote het behoorlik geklap voorlangs, met die Nellies se agsteman, Vaughn van Zyl, en haker, Regardt Vermaak, oudergewoonte in die middel van die spervuur. Nories se kaptein. Meyer Opperman, in sy laaste wedstryd vir die Blues, was ewe vurig en het vanjaar in ‘n uitstekende oopkantflank ontwikkel.
Agterlangs het Jenemo Luiters, Noordheuwel se regtervleuel, deurentyd ‘n bedreiging ingehou met sy bedrieglike vaart en aanvalsvernuf, terwyl Nellies se senter en kaptein, Ian Wood, se rotsvaste verdediging en netjiese aanvalslyne kenmerkend was en ‘n beduidende rol in die uitslag gespeel het.
Puntemakers:
Waterkloof 53 (31) – Drieë: Happy Makate (3), Mikhal Odendaal, Dennis Obi, Riwan van Aswegen. Doelskoppe: Ronan Bastiaanse (4). Strafdoele: Bastiaanse, Makate. Monument 45 (19) – Drieë: Hugo van der Merwe (2), Evan Bernhardi (2), Ewan van der Walt, Justin Viljoen, Jamaal Feldman. Doelskoppe: Hugo van der Merwe (3), Justin Viljoen (3).
Die Pretorianers was blitsig uit die blokke om ‘n groot genoeg voorsprong op te bou en vir die Arende met 39-15 af te stof.
Dit was boonop die Jansies se eerste nederlaag in vanjaar se reeks en die feit dat hulle van voorloper tot derde op die puntelys gesak het, weerspieël die strawwe aard van die kompetisie. Die Arende het derhalwe ‘n tuishalfeind prysgegee en moet hierdie week terugkeer Berepark toe vir hul halfeindstryd.
Die Bere se buitesenter, Ruan Enslin, het gewys hoekom hy in 2023, toe hy nog op vleuel diens verrig het, een van die kompetisie se voorste driedrukkers was. Enslin en regtervleuel, Xian Erasmus, het die Jansies agterlangs gelooi en elk twee drieë gedruk.
Die grondslag vir die Bere se voortreflike vertoning agterlangs is deur die voorrymanne, Justin Blom en Luan van den Berg, gelê. Blom, die Bere se haker, was oudergewoonte ‘n yster in die vastelos, terwyl Van den Berg met sy barslopies vir die verdedigers van Boksburg al hul dae gegee het.
Die Arende het ietwat lusteloos voorgekom en kon eenvoudig nie hul ritme vind nie.
Slot, Gerhard van Aswegen, het nietemin voortgebou op sy belowende seisoen en vir die soveelste keer vanjaar oorgebars vir ‘n welverdiende tweekuns. Hy is moedig ondersteun deur steelkantflank, Divan Francis, maar hulle kon net nie genoeg voorwaartse momentum bewerk om die oorhand the verkry nie.
Hoërskool Rustenburg het sy eerste seisoen in die Beker-afdeling op die hoogste noot moontlik afgesluit en die loesing van 8-87 teen Monument duidelik afgeskud om die besoekende Hoërskool Menlopark met 46-31 kaf te draf.
Albei skole se ondersteuners was bederf met hardlooprugby uit die boonste rakke, met elke span wat binne die eerste 10 minute reeds agter die opponente se doellyn gaan draai het.
Die Parkies se Leskin Samuels het gewys hoekom hy vir die Blou Bulle by vanjaar se Cravenweek verteenwoordig het en het nie alleen die Rusties deurgaans met sy dartellopies aan die raai gehou nie, maar ook twee van sy span se vyf drieë gedruk. Hy het goeie ondersteuning op die aanval van regtervleuel, Gustav Schaffner en heelagter, Reinardt Herbst, ontvang.
Dit was egter die tuisspan se indrukwekkende duo bestaande uit heelagter, Lorenzo Snyers, en buitesenter, John-Re Jefthas, wat die momentum in die guns van die Rusties geswaai het met hul vermoë om die tuisspan keer op keer oor die voordeellyn te kry.
Agsteman, Coenraad Coetzer, het ook beïndruk met sy kragtige dryfspel, terwyl skrumskakel, Adriano George, laat in die wedstryd vir Menlopark die finale nekslag toegedien het met ‘n puik tweekuns.
Puntemakers:
Garsfontein 39 (31) – Drieë: Ruan Enslin (2), Xian Erasmus (2), Justin Blom, Luan van der Berg. Doelskoppe: Handre Maree (3). Strafdoel: Maree. EG Jansen 15 (10) – Drieë: Gerhard van Aswegen (2), Divan Francis.
Hoërskool Rustenburg 46 (29) – Drieë: Adriano George (2), Coenraad Coetzer, Xavier Steenkamp, Christiaan van der Bergh, Lorenzo Snyers, John-Re Jefthas. Doelskoppe: Awie Alberts (2). Menlopark 31 (19) – Drieë: Leskin Samuels (2), Anru Keun, Gustav Schaffner, Chrisjan Brits. Doelskoppe: Phillipus de Bruyn.
Paul Roos Gimnasium defeated Northwood School in the final to claim the u16 Top Schools honours. Photo: Enhanced Sports
The u16 Top Schools Hockey Tournament, hosted by Paarl Gimnasium, concluded on Sunday with Paul Roos Gimnasium(PRG) claiming top honours in the boys’ section, while it was Collegiate Girls’ High who took home gold in the girls’ competition.
PRG defeated Northwood School 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the final had ended level at 2-2.
In the girls’ final, Collegiate came from a goal down to beat Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 and take the title to the Eastern Cape.
PRG came into the tournament as one of the Western Cape favourites, along with Paarl Boys’ High, Parel Vallei and Paarl Gimnasium.
Under the leadership of coaches Keelan Tobin and Cody Schoeman, PRG has enjoyed a strong season and, despite going down 1-2 against SACS last month, they were in top form and eager to stake their claim against some of the best u16 teams in the country.
They were drawn in Pool B, along with Parel Vallei, Michaelhouse, Paarl Boys’ High, Grey College, and Menlopark.
It wasn’t plain sailing for the boys from Stellenbosch, who won three of their pool matches, drew with Boys’ High, and were beaten once, going down 0-2 against Michaelhouse.
Nonetheless, that left them in second place in their pool, which secured them a semi-final showdown with Grey High on Saturday night.
In that clash, PRG started brightly, scoring early through Luc Botha and PG Groenewald, but the boys from Gqeberha replied through Danté Elkington. Groenewald responded with a second goal to seal a 3-1 win for his side.
In the final, Paul Roos came up against Northwood School, who had defeated Parel Vallei 4-1 in the other semi-final.
Just as they had done against Grey High, PRG started well and opened the scoring through Ruben Gouws.
Northwood, however, fired back with two goals in quick succession through Hamza Amal and Mnqobi Mhlongo. PRG looked down and out as the time ticked away until Seth Paterson stunned the Durban school with a goal 14 seconds from the final whistle to rescue a 2-2 draw for PRG.
The Stellenbosch boys, then, went on to win the title 4-2 on penalties. They will next shift their focus to a big interschools clash with Grey College this coming weekend.
Collegiate Girls’ High was the sole representative from the Eastern Cape, but they did their province proud by defeating Paarl Gim to win tournament, Photo: Enhanced Sport
Road to the final: Collegiate Girls’ High
Collegiate Girls’ High entered the u16 Top Schools tournament as the only team from the Eastern Cape in the girls’ section.
Although they had put together an impressive season, they were viewed by some as slight underdogs, but they made their presence felt immediately over the course of the tournament’s first two days.
Drawn in Pool B, Collegiate finished the pool stage unbeaten, winning three and drawing two.
Those results left Collegiate atop their pool and set them up for a semi-final date with Pretoria’s Die Hoërskool Menlopark, who had finished second in Pool A behind the hosts, Paarl Gimnasium.
A Kerrin Gillies goal from a penalty corner was enough to take Collegiate to a 1-0 victory over Menlopark and book them a place in the title-decider against Paarl Gim.
In the early going of the final, the Eastern Cape side was on the back foot and found themselves 0-1 down after Annabelle Smith struck for the home side. In the second half, Collegiate came roaring back, replying with three goals, courtesy of a Jana Prinsloo brace and another goal from Gillies to lay their hands on the title.
Day 4 Boys Results
Northwood School 4-1 Parel Vallei (Semi-final 2)
Outeniqua 0-1 Paarl Gimnasium
Paarl Boys’ High (1) 1-1 (3) Michaelhouse
Grey High 2-1 Parel Vallei
Die Hoërskool Menlopark 0-3 Grey College
Fairmont 0-1 Pearson High
Paul Roos (4) 2-2 (2) Northwood School – Final
Day 4 Girls’ fixtures
Die Hoërskool Menlopark 0-1 Collegiate Girls’ High (Semi-final 2)
Our Lady Fatima 2-1 St Mary’s DSG
Waterkloof (0) 0-0 (3) Garsfontein
Reddam House Constantia 1-2 Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Rhenish (2) 1-1 (1) Affies
Oranje 0-2 Herschel
Collegiate Girls’ High 3-1 Paarl Gimnasium – Final
The High School Sevens Series, proudly sponsored by Toyota, kicked off at Glenwood High School on Saturday, with 16 u17 teams and 12 u15 teams in action on a clear, warm Durban day, with a cooling breeze – ideal conditions for the demands of sevens.
It was the first of 12 events, which will take place around the country, before the Champions Tournament brings together the best of the best at Grey College in Bloemfontein on 21 and 22 September.
Heading into the tournament, Westville Boys’ High had staked their claim to being the best in KwaZulu-Natal in 2024, winning the Clifton Sevens and, last weekend, the Saints Sevens at St Charles College. The challenge that awaited the Griffin on Saturday was a whole lot tougher, however, because a number of schools – Glenwood, Maritzburg College, Northwood and Durban High School (DHS) – hadn’t yet made an appearance this season. All four made their presence felt.
Westville, the winners of the Cup, were pushed all the way by Glenwood in their semi-final showdown.
In 2023, Westville won the Saints Sevens but were beaten 21-19 by DHS in the final of the Glenwood Sevens the following weekend. Again, this year, Westville won the Saints Sevens and, once more, they faced DHS in the final of the Glenwood Sevens.
This time, though, Westville fought their way into a 12-0 lead at halftime. After the break, DHS upped the intensity and were soon rewarded with a try. The Griffin, however, held on for a narrow 12-7 victory to make it a third Sevens tournament win on the trot.
In two weeks’ time, DHS hosts another round of the High School Sevens Series, presented by Toyota, and it will be even bigger, taking place over two days, on 23 and 24 August. There’s time for Saturday’s newcomers to further sharpen their skills ahead of the event.
Speaking of newcomers, Vryheid Landbou made their presence known, demonstrating strong character after being blown out 76-7 in their opening game against DHS. Undeterred, they pushed St Charles hard, going down 12-26 – and Saints lost only 5-12 against DHS – and then gave Michaelhouse 2 a hard time, with the Balgowan Boys eventually claiming a 31-22 victory.
After a tough opener, Vryheid Landbou gave a good account of themselves and captured the Shield.
Then, in the Shield semi-finals, Vryheid Landbou beat Pinetown Boys’ High 21-7. That gave them a shot at the Shield title, and they grabbed it with both hands, downing Kearsney 2 19-10.
The hosts, Glenwood, impressed in their first outing of the season, smashing their opposition in Pool A, scoring 154 points in three matches without conceding a single point. Then, they gave Westville all they could handle in the Cup semi-finals, going down 7-12. It showed, despite a tough season in the 15-man game, there is some exciting talent coming through the Green Machine‘s ranks for next season.
Michaelhouse, one of the better teams in the first two tournaments, reached the final four, but they were stopped by DHS. Northwood, in their first appearance of the season, were clearly one of the better outfits, and Maritzburg College, too. established themselves as an upper tier side.
Glenwood’s depth was on show in the u15 competition. They won their pool, edging out Hilton College 15-14 in the key clash, and then won their way through to the final. Northwood, though, were consistently strong and they claimed the Cup with a tough 19-12 victory.
U17 RESULTS
Pool A
Glenwood 43-0 Clifton
Kearsney 43-0 Hilton 2
Glenwood 68-0 Hilton 2
Kearsney 43-5 Clifton
Glenwood 43-0 Kearsney
Clifton 34-0 Hilton College 2
Jade-Will Koopman is hoisted onto the shoulders of Westville’s supporters after the Griffin clinched the Glenwood Sevens Cup title.
Pool C
DHS 76-7 Vryheid Landbou
St Charles 40-14 Michaelhouse 2
DHS 53-0 Michaelhouse 2
St Charles 26-12 Vryheid Landbou
Vryheid Landbou 22-31 Michaelhouse 2
DHS 12-5 St Charles
Pool D
Maritzburg College 47-0 Pinetown Boys’ High
Michaelhouse 28-7 Northwood 2
Maritzburg College 29-5 Northwood 2
Michaelhouse 43-0 Pinetown Boys’ High
Pinetown Boys’ High 5-31 Northwood 2
Maritzburg College 5-7 Michaelhouse
Shield Semi-finals
Hilton College 2 7-32 Kearsney College 2
Vryheid Landbou 21-7 Pinetown Boys’ High
Kearsney 17-14 Northwood
St Charles 14-17 Maritzburg College
Cup Semi-finals
Glenwood 7-12 Westville
DHS 17-0 Michaelhouse
Shield Final
Kearsney 2 10-19 Vryheid Landbou
Bowl Final
Hilton 12-15 Michaelhouse 2
Plate Final
Kearsney 12-19 Maritzburg College
Cup Final
Westville 12-7
U15 RESULTS
Pool A
Westville 38-0 Esikhawini
Maritzburg College 24-7 Esikhawini
Maritzburg College 12-12 Westville
The High School Series Sevens at Glenwood was an opportunity for Esikhawini, from near Richards Bay, to mix it up with schools that they don’t often have a chance to play, and they enoyed the experience.
Pool B
Hilton 35-0 Clifton
Glenwood 56-0 Clifton
Glenwood 15-14 Hilton
Pool C
Kearsney 24-0 Hilton 2
Northwood 48-7 Hilton 2
Northwood 26-5 Kearsney
Pool D
Michaelhouse 10-19 St Charles
DHS 41-0 St Charles
DHS 24-26 Michaelhouse
On Saturday, the third day of the u16 Top Schools Hockey Tournament, Paul Roos Gimnasium(PRG) and Paarl Gimnasium’s girls booked their places in Sunday’s finals.
In the boys’ section, PRG defeated Grey High 3-1, while Paarl Gimnasium’s girls sneaked past Reddam House Constantia 2-1 to book their spot in the title-decider.
They will find out on Sunday morning who they’ll face in the finals with the remaining semi-finals scheduled for early on day four.
The annual tournament, which brings together top boys’ and girls’ teams from around South Africa, is being hosted by Paarl Gimnasium.
Northwood School 2-0 Outeniqua
Grey High 7-0 Paarl Gimnasium (Astro B)
Fairmont High 1-2 Pearson High
Pool B
Paarl Boys’ High 2-2 Michaelhouse
Grey College 0-1 Parel Vallei (Astro B)
Paul Roos Gimnasium 3-0 Parel Vallei
Paarl Boys’ High 3-1 Grey College
Michaelhouse 3-1 Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Play-offs
Paarl Boys High (5) 3-3 (4) Pearson High School
Outeniqua (1)1 -1 (3) Die Hoërskool Menlopark
Michaelhouse 3-0 Fairmont High
Grey College 3-0 Paarl Gimnasium
Paul Roos 3-1 Grey High (Semifinal 1)
Girls | Results: Day 2
Pool A
Die Hoërskool Menlopark 0-0 Oranje
Paarl Gimnasium 0-0 Herschel Girls (Astro B)
Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria 0-1 Our Lady Fatima
Pool B
Waterkloof 5-0 Rhenish
St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) 0-1 Collegiate Girls’ High (Astro B)
Rhenish Girls’ 1-1 St Mary’s DSG (Kloof)
Waterkloof 0-1 Reddam House Constantia (Astro B)
Garsfontein 0-3 Collegiate Girls’ High
Play-offs
Waterkloof (3) 2-2 (2) Oranje
Our Lady Fatima 0-2 Rhenish Girls’ High
Herschel Girls High 0-3 Garsfontein
Affies 3-2 St Mary’’ DSG (Kloof)
Paarl Gimnasium 2-1 Reddam House Constantia (Semifinal 1)
Day 4 Boys fixtures
09:00 – Northwood School vs Parel Vallei (Semifinal 2)
09:00 – Outeniqua vs Paarl Gimnasium @ La Rochelle Astro
09:00 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Michaelhouse @Astro B
11:00 – Grey High vs TBC
11:00 – Die Hoërskool Menlopark vs Grey College
13:00 – Fairmont vs Pearson High
13:00 – Paul Roos vs TBC (Final)
Day 4 Girls fixtures
08:00 – Die Hoërskool Menlopark vs Collegiate Girls’ High (Semifinal 2)
08:00 – Our Lady Fatima vs St Mary’s DSG (Kloof)
08:00 – Waterkloof vs Garsfontein
10:00 – Reddam House Constantia vs TBC
10:00 – Rhenish vs Affies (Astro B)
12:00 – Oranje vs Herschel (Astro B)
12:00 – Paarl Gimnasium vs TBC (Final)
The 2024 Fairtree Super 12 champions, Rhenish Girls’ High.
Captain Leah du Plessis was outstanding as she helped RhenishGirls’ High win their maiden Fairtree Super 12 title after a thrilling final against St Mary’s DSG (Kloof) on Saturday at C&N Sekondêre Meisieskool Oranje in Bloemfontein.
The sides finished regulation time all square at 1-1. That took the game into a tense penalty shootout and Rhenish took it 3-1.
It was a fifth appearance at the annual event for the Stellenbosch school. Before their title-winning campaign, their best achievements were finishing fourth in 2019 and 2023.
“I am very proud of the girls,” Chris Gerber, the Rhenish coach, said after the match. “This title is their reward for the hard work and consistency they have shown throughout the year.”
Rhenish has suffered only three losses this season, losing once at the St Mary’s Waverley Festival; in the final at the All Girls Festival in Potchefstroom, when they, ironically, went down to Affies in a penalty shootout; and then once against Paarl Gim, who claimed a 3-2 win in a Western Cape league match last month.
Rhenish began the match on the back foot. After a few minutes of feeling each other out, St Mary’s seized the initiative and tested Rhenish’s defensive resolve by launching numerous forays into the opposition half. The pressure from the KwaZulu-Natal side resulted in three penalty corners.
Elizabeth Anderson was on the end of the third penalty corner and drilled the ball past two defenders and the goalkeeper to register the first goal of the contest on the stroke of halftime. Anderson, who enjoyed an outstanding campaign, finished the tournament as the top goal scorer with six goals.
“We had a poor first half. We didn’t play with enough energy and one of our focus points in the team talk was us playing with energy. I reminded them that we had nothing to lose,” Gerber said.
That talk brought to life the team Gerber had seen interacting after their semi-final win over Waterkloof. The coach had watched his side growing in confidence as the tournament progressed, but it was after that semi-final victory that he noticed them embracing the belief that they could win the title. Their 3-0 win in the final four was set in motion by a 26th-minute goal from Shené du Plessis – “from nowhere”, as Gerber described it.
When they returned to the Astro, Rhenish took control and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession for the first few minutes of the second half. However, that dominance did not last long as St Mary’s came to life and forced several penalty corners. The game was evenly balanced as the teams traded shots.
Leah du Plessis, who enjoyed a good campaign, led from the front. She stepped up for Rhenish when it mattered, and she did so when it was most needed, in the final.
Rhenish didn’t win many penalty corners. However, Gerber’s charges converted the first one they won. The injection was accurate and as she had done all tournament, Du Plessis did not make a mistake from the top of the D. She unleashed a fiery shot into the goal box to draw Rhenish level.
That was the fourth time during the tournament that Du Plessis had struck from a penalty corner. Those four goals made her the tournament’s second highest goal scorer, which she shared with Paarl Gimnasium’s Joné de Winnaar.
The goal also swung the momentum back in favour of Rhenish, with the Western Cape girls keeping St Mary’s pinned in their own half. Gradually, though, Carla Ann Mackay charges wrestled control back and made a concerted effort to manufacture a winning goal. But Rhenish was equal to the task.
The match finished 1-1 and the teams went to a penalty shootout.
Du Plessis stepped up to take the first one and had little trouble converting it. Anderson was first up for St Mary’s and drew them level. Phillipa Viljoen, who also had a good tournament, converted Rhenish’s second penalty to put her side into the lead once more.
Rhenish’s goalkeeper, Jasmine Aitken, has not had a heavy workload during the season, thanks to a very solid defence in front of her. However, in the times that she has been asked to step up, she stood tall. And she was at it again when she denied Cassandra Forbes a goal from the second St Mary’s penalty.
Sarah-Ellen Groenewald did not make a mistake when took responsibility for Rhenish’s third penalty. She scored and secured the title for her side.
Final standings
1 – Rhenish
2 – St Mary’s DSG
3 – Durban Girls’ College
4 – Waterkloof
5 – Paarl Gimnasium
6 – Eunice
7 – St Stithians College
8 – Oranje
9 – Bloemhof
10 – Garsfontein
11 – St Anne’s
12 – Menlopark
HAPPY MAKATE (met bal), buitesenter van Waterkloof, hou Monument se losskakel, Hanno du Toit, op sy tone met een van sy vele dartel lopies.
Nie eers die gure weer en sterk wind was genoeg om die Bulle van Oakdale Landbou in ‘n modderige Agter-Paarl te stuit nie.
Die span van Riversdal het die bordjies teen Boland Landbou met 21-13 verhang. Die besoekers kon in gierige weer die beste tot die omstandighede aanpas.
Interresant is dat albei spanne, elk nou twee keer, as besoekers in die laaste vier kragmetings kon seëvier.
Die wenspan se regtervleuel, Duraan Janse van Rensburg, het in die eerste minuut reeds sy span se rekening geopen. Ondanks ‘n sterk wind agter die blaaie kon Boland Landbou slegs ‘n voorsprong van 13-12 teen rustyd opbou.
Janse van Rensburg het sy skopvernuf, met vier suksesvolle strafdoele, ten toon gestel. Dit het die telbord in die tweede helfte aan die rol gehou.
Oakdale se oopkantflank, Erick Steyn, is na die strawwe stryd, welverdiend as Speler van die Wedstryd aangewys.
Steyn het behoorlik gewoeker in die vastelos. Die kantman het veral tuis gelyk by die afbreekpunte, wat deurslaggewend tydens die Kaapse wintersdag was.
Die tuisspan se heelagter, Retagan van Rooi, was oudergewoonte een van die groot uitblinkers. Sy vermoë op die aanval, selfs in uitdagende toestande, het die besoekers se verdedigers deurgans laat kop krap.
Sy skrumskakel, Jayden Brits, het hand bygesit met goeie diens en slim taktiese skopwerk om die Bulle keer op keer te laat omdraai.
Die SDC Noordvaal Cup se Beker afdeling sal twee heruitsendings in die halfeindrondes beleef.
Dit blyk of Berepark steeds EG Jansen se doolhof is. Garsfontein het soos die Bere van ouds gelyk om die Boksburgers hul eerste nederlaag van 39-15 in die afdeling toe te dien.
Sy buitesenter, Ruan Enslin, en regtervleuel, Xian Erasmus, het elk twee keer agter die doellyn gaan kuier om tot die Turkoois Bere se oorwinning by te dra. Die Garsies sal weer eerskomende Saterdag teen die Arende te staan kom.
Waterkloof blyk of hy weer sy ritme herwin het. Die Blou Tornado het vir homself ‘n tuishalfeindstryd, met ‘n oorwinning van 53-45 oor Monument bespreek.
Die bonuspuntsege op die Ras van Rooyen in Krugersdorp beteken dat hy die groepwedstryde as die voorste span in die Beker-afdeling, afsluit.
Hy sal die einste Monnas Saterdag in die Jakarandastad verwelkom.
Sy uitstaande senter Happy Makate sou met ‘n glimlag na Pretoria terugkeer. Dit was immers hy wat die span van Krugersdorp, met sy vindingrykheid en individuele vaardighede, in die middelveld gelooi het.
Tydens die grootste interskole in die Paarl het Klein Nederburg vir die eerste keer in vyf jaar daarin geslaag om New Orleans in die Faurestraat-stadion te klop. Klein Nederburg het met 5-0 as oorwinnaars van die veld gestap.
Goals by Evi Benson and Ashley Hingeston secured a hard fought 2-1 win for Somerset College against St Mary’s Waverley in the Challengers’ Cup final. Photo: Suzanne Meyer-Nell
Somerset College was regarded as one of the favourites leading into the Challengers’ Cup, and they lived up to those expectations by winning their way through to the final, where they beat St Mary’s Waverley 2-1 at La Rochelle Girls’ High on Saturday in Paarl.
The Western Cape side was made to sweat for their win but goals from Evi Benson, and Ashley Hingeston, scored at crucial moments of the game, sealed the win for coach Kyran Fortuin’s side.
Somerset College started the tournament in Pool B, drawn alongside St Mary’s, Pearson High, DSG Makhanda, Paarl Girls’ High, and Fairmont. After the pool matches had been completed, they found themselves in second place behind coach Cindy Brown’s St Mary’s side.
In pool action, Somerset recorded wins over DSG, Fairmont, and Paarl Girls’ High. They suffered a shock 2-3 defeat at the hands of Pearson, before playing out a 1-1 draw with St Mary’s.
Their second-place finish earned them a semi-final showdown with Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria(Affies).
Affies were unbeaten heading into the final four game, and they had been in rich goal scoring form. Somerset, though, shut Affies out and pulled off a 2-0 win, with Caroline Morris and Siena Kontopirakis striking for the Belgotex Easter Festival champions.
The addition of the Challengers’ Cup means Somerset College has won two major trophies in 2024. Photo: Suzanne Meyer-Nell
In the final, Somerset College came up against a St Mary’s side that was, justifiably, brimming with confidence after winning all of their matches up until the title-decider.
Coach Fortuin’s team made an ideal start, however, with Evi Benson, after finding herself unmarked in the circle early in the first half, directing the ball into the back of the net.
At half-time, Somerset led 1-0.
In the third chukka, however, St Mary’s worked their way back into the game, with Lucy Viljoen striking after a scrappy short corner, which resulted in the ball finding its way to her stick. She gobbled up the chance.
St Mary’s joy was short-lived. Somerset College, immediately after the restart, set up camp in their opponent’s half. Then, when a ball was whipped into the circle, Ashley Hingeston deflected it goalwards, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
The Johannesburg side created a number of opportunities to draw level in the fourth chukka when they were awarded two short corners, but their execution let them down.
Reflecting on the tournament win, Somerset College head coach, Kyran Fortuin, said he was proud of his team’s performance throughout the event and happy that they managed to achieve one of their goals for the season.
“I’m immensely proud of this group. It’s probably one of the best teams I’ve had the opportunity to work with,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Photo: Suzanne Meyer-Nell
“There’s such good camaraderie and massive resilience, and everything we worked for this year has come to fruition at this tournament.
“Our goal was to come here and win gold. We backed ourselves, our abilities, and our systems. We knew the plans that were put in place for this team, and we needed to be disciplined, and I think that got us over the line.”
Playing for the Challengers’ Cup title marked the third time in the season that Somerset College had made it to a final.
Last month, matters went awry when they faced Paarl Gimnasium in the final of the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament, with Gim cruising to a 10-1 victory. Fortuin praised his team for bouncing back from that disappointing result and taking on the top traditional hockey-playing schools.
“After losing the Cape Town International Hockey tournament final, the girls were in a bad space,” he revealed.
“For them to put that behind and come here and put in clinical performances, that’s a massive achievement for us.
“We managed to take on top schools like Paarl Girls’ High, St Mary’s and Affies in the semi-final. Those are schools double our size, and to come and do well is the cherry on the cake,” he concluded.
In the third/fourth playoff match, Affies, after suffering a 0-2 defeat to Somerset, took on Rustenburg Girls’ High, who had lost 1-2 against St Mary’s earlier in the day.
It was the Cape Town side that reigned supreme, winning 1-0, courtesy of a Lisa Grey goal.
Results | Day 3
DSG Makhanda 6: Kayleigh Clayton, Abigal Holderness (2), Sarah-Jane Brits, Lucy Holderness, Jocelyn Appel. Hoërskool Middelburg 0
Parel Vallei 2: Zelda Rosenstrauch, Anmarie Grobler. Pearson High 0. Somerset College 2: Caroline Morris, Siena Kontopirakis. Affies 0. St Mary’s Waverley 2: Erin Kruger (2). Rustenburg Girls’ High 1: Tasmin de Villiers. Bethlehem Voortrekker 1: Jani Faber. Paarl Girls’ High 0. Parel Vallei 2: Elrie Pienaar, Anmarie Grobler. DSG Makhanda 0. Pearson High 2: Lisa De Villiers, Nyssa Slabbert. Hoërskool Middelburg 0. Fairmont High 1: Camryn Corner. York High 0. Rustenburg Girls’ High 1: Lisa Grey. Affies 0. Somerset College 2: Evi Benson, Ahsley Hingeston. St Mary’s Waverley 1: Lucy Viljoen.
Final Standings
Somerset College
St Mary’s Waverley
Rustenburg Girls’ High School
Affies
Parel Vallei
DSG Makhanda
Pearson High School
Hoërskool Middelburg
Bethlehem Voortrekker
Paarl Girls’ High School
Fairmont High School
York High School
PIETER VAN DER MERWE, centre of the SA Schools side on his way to his try to help his side down the SA Schools A-side in Krugersdorp. PHOTO: Marius Nortjé
The French u18 team have decided to withdraw from the U18 International Series following the tragic event earlier this week when one of their players, Medhi Narjissi, was swept out to sea during a recovery session at Cape Point.
The annual u18 series in South Africa will start on Monday in Cape Town. The French squad returned home on Friday evening.
The schedule for the series has been revised following the withdrawal of France, with each round consisting of two matches which ensures that none of the remaining travelling teams’ fixtures are affected.
The first round kicks off at Stellenberg High School in Cape Town on Monday, with the SA U18 clash with France cancelled, while the SA u18 ‘A’ team’s three matches were reduced to one, against Georgia.
Georgia, who were originally scheduled to play the SA U18 ‘A’-side twice and France once, will now face England in their second match on Friday 16 August, and they will play Ireland on Tuesday, 20 August on the last of the three match days.
Mr Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union, earlier this week sent a message of condolences to the Narjissi family and the French rugby community following the tragic events a few days ago.
Revised fixtures for the Under-18 International Series:
Trent Jessop struck for Northwood as they successfully defended the u18 Guschkie Top Schools title they had won in 2023, beating Grey College in a repeat of the previous year’s the final.
The High School Sevens Series, proudly sponsored by Toyota, kicked off at Glenwood High School on Saturday, with 16 u17 teams and 12 u15 teams in action on a clear, warm Durban day, with a cooling breeze – ideal conditions for the demands of sevens.
