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THERE were a host of matches over the weekend and a number of big winning margins, while St Charles and Michaelhouse played out to a nervy draw.
St Charles College 2 Michaelhouse 2
The early exchanges saw the rivals fight for possession, Michaelhouse being the more effective, holding onto the ball with more purpose.
It was Michaelhouse who would be the first to get a foothold in the encounter, the visitors smartly converting a well-worked penalty corner, deflecting the ball past the Saints keeper.
As it has so often been in recent weeks, Saints awoke after conceding the first goal. Forward Nic Church finished a solo effort to tie the scores at 1-1 before the half-time whistle.
The second half saw a much more impressive display for the spectators, better-executed hockey from both teams on show. After entering the Michaelhouse quarter repeatedly, a Saints effort within the strike zone saw a defensive deflection from the visitors find its way into the goal.
Saints, mid-way through the half, were the deserved 2-1 leaders. The hosts, however, became careless in possession, playing narrow hockey, allowing their opponents more counter opportunities. Another PC conversion, this time a flick to the middle-left of St Charles’ goal, again tied the game.
Although the final minutes ran out in a frantic manner, neither team were able to capitalise, the final score reading 2-2. Michaelhouse are up against number one-ranked SA schoolboy team Maritzburg College on Pape’s Astro in PMB this Saturday.
Maritzburg College 2 Hilton College 0
Rated the top schoolboy hockey team in the country by the only ranking system in South Africa, www.saschoolsports.co.za, it was Maritzburg College who stretched their season to 18 wins and two draws in 20 matches with a 2-0 win on Beckingham’s against hosts Hilton College on the latters’ Old Boys’ Day.
The opening goal came 15 minutes into the game when Maritzburg College went on the break and Bradley Sherwood played the ball into the strike zone. It struck the Hilton upright and Michael Forrest was on hand to finish off.
The second goal came from a collective effort between Landon Campbell, Amkelwa Letuka and Tyson Dlungwana, with Letuka completing the movement. College spent about seven minutes with eight players on the park after incurring the wrath of international umpire and College Old Boy Ayden Shrives.
So many players in the sin-bin meant College had to play savvy hockey and managed to keep out the home team, with head prefect Bryce Tullis and Courtney Halle playing a key role in steadying the ship.
Westville 4 DHS 1
Westville were dominant in a good 4-1 win over Durban rivals and hosts DHS in a game played at a high tempo throughout. This result in favour of Westville bodes well for their much-anticipated clash at a full-house Pape’s Astro Saturday, June 20 on what is Maritzburg College’s Old Boys’ Reunion Day.
“After creating more chances with some very good build-up play, Westville found themselves on the scoresheet with some good individual play from Mbuso Mgobozi which led to a penalty stroke after he was taken out by the DHS goalkeeper. Westville skipper Ryan Bradfield made no mistake from the penalty spot,” said coach Cameron Mackay.
Mackay said the game became scrappy as the half wore on and DHS got themselves level, somewhat against the run of play, with a good finish by DHS. With less than 10 minutes left on the first-half clock, Westville were back in front with a good finish from striker Mgobozi.
The second half started at a quick tempo and Westville found themselves on the front foot again with some good opening chances. They were soon 3-1 up with a good finish from Keagan Fourie, who put the ball into an empty net after beating the keeper.
A Mgobozi strike right on full-time saw Westville close out 4-1 winners after a very good counter-attack from a corner.
Kearsney 5 Northwood 1
Playing any team on their Old Boys’ Day is challenging, particularly after the last time you met the score was 8-0 in your favour, but Kearsney were up to the task and emerged 5-1 winners at Northwood.
With the match starting at a slow tempo, Kearsney dictated play but at the same time were careless when in possession, allowing Northwood to counter on errors perpetrated by the Botha’s Hill side.
Kearsney eventually won a penalty corner, which was saved on the goalline by a Northwood defender. The PC was re-awarded for another infringement and Ru Baker converted with a powerful flick into the bottom corner.
“A minute later, we were very sloppy in our defensive zone and gave away a PC which Northwood converted to even the game at 1-1,” said Kearsney coach Sihle Ntuli. “However, we continued to control the game and Lyle Hewitson converted a well-taken field goal. Shortly after, James Stamatis succeeded from a PC to take us into half time 3-1 up.”
In the second half, Kearsney goalkeeper Jayme Crouch made some great saves. At the other end, Jeremy Foord applied the finishing touch for a great team goal. A baseline entry saw Stamatis ultimately provide the assist. Matthew Lees finished off the 5-1 Kearney win with a well-taken goal off the baseline.
Glenwood 10 Monument 2
Glenwood tackled Monument at Queensmead Hockey Stadium in Durban. The first half started with Glenwood taking the early lead, but the team became complacent, which allowed the visiting team to equalise.
Once their game was back in rhythm, Glenwood asserted themselves and went into the half-time break 4-1 up.
In the second half, Glenwood had excellent ball retention throughout the midfield, allowing the strikers to have countless opportunities and ending the game with a 10-2 win. It was reportedly a fantastic game overall in terms of spirit.
Other result: Crawford College La Lucia 0 Clifton College 2
