DHS under-16s shine on tough day for KZN in Gqeberha

29 April 2023

It wasn’t the best of days for the KZN contingent contesting the Hibbert Shield Hockey Festival in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, although, shining the spotlight on the under-16 competition, DHS did themselves proud by finishing as runners-up.

Goal drought

After topping Pool A, alongside Paarl Gimnasium, Clifton faced Garsfontein in the quarterfinals of the under-19 event. They created enough chances to win, including a fair number of penalty corners, but their finishing deserted them, and they couldn’t buy a goal. Only one was needed to decide the contest, and unfortunately for Keegan Pearce’s charges it went the way of the team from Pretoria.

Later, in the playoff for fifth through eighth places, they faced Grey High in a rematch of an earlier pool game that had ended 1-1. There were far more goals this time around, but the hosts came away with a win, getting home by a 5-3 margin.

Hibbert Shield day one: Mixed fortunes for KZN teams
https://www.pinnacle-schools.com/2023/04/28/hockey-hibbert-day-one/

Trailing early

DHS faced Paul Roos, who had finished first in Pool C, with a perfect three wins from three matches. Unfortunately, Lerou Dithlakanyane and company started slowly. They gave up two goals in the first chukka, the second one something of a soft goal, with the Paarl attacker taking a hit on the side-line, midway into the DHS 23m area, then running the baseline before laying off towards the penalty spot and providing an easy tap-in. He shouldn’t have been able to do that alone.

DHS came back strongly in the second chukka, though, dominating play with good constructive hockey and being rewarded with a goal of their own. When they string passes together, they sure are lovely to watch.

Paul Roos responded with a powerful penalty corner shot to make it 3-1, but DHS kept going to the end, pulling one back but coming up one short, in a 2-3 loss.

Michael Baker’s magical DHS hockey makeover
https://www.pinnacle-schools.com/2023/04/26/hockey-dhs-michael-baker/

DHS Director of Hockey, Michael Baker declared himself disappointed. “We left the door open, and Paarl Gim opened the door,” he told Pinnacle Schools. “We didn’t manage SA under-21 player Carlon Mentoor in the second half, and he hurt us.”

Baker said some work is needed on his team’s defending and they need to be more effective on the offensive, too.

DHS under-16s excel

There was plenty to be happy about, however, thanks to the performance of the DHS under-16 A team. They made it all the way through to the final where they were stopped by a gifted SACS team, going down 2-6.

Baker said he was pleased with their performance, pleased that they were exposed to the best teams in the country, and happy that the boys now know the level that is required to be the best. “We have something to work towards,” he said.

KZN teams sparkle on day two of Hibbert Shield
https://www.pinnacle-schools.com/2023/04/28/hockey-hibbert-day-two/

The DHS under-16s began the festival with a 1-1 draw against Grey High. Ramping up their performance next time out, they thumped Waterkloof 6-0 in their second match. Then, they cruised to a 3-0 win over Paarl Gimnasium and a 5-1 victory against Pearson.

They’re an exciting side with plenty of spirit, which was on full display recently when they came from 0-2 to score a 3-2 win over a strong Northwood side at The Coliseum.

Frustration

Westville were frustrated in their match against Menlo Park. They went into the game missing four players: one to a concussion, two to injuries, and one to illness. That’s enough to scupper the best laid plans of any side.

The Griffin, though, dominated the contest, but couldn’t find a finish. It’s been their Achilles’ Heel this season.

Natural goal-scorers are few and far between, and even a side as talented as DHS at moving the ball about the park has struggled in the absence of striker Josh Mungarera at the festival. Trying to find goals with four players out of action simply magnified the challenge.

Almost inevitably, the Griffin came out on the wrong side of a game decided by one goal. It has been that kind of event for them. There is so much about Westville’s approach to admire, and they play a lot of good hockey. Right now, though, the goals are not going in.

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