25 March 2024
Kearsney College and Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) brought unbeaten records at the Founders Hockey Festival into the final match of the event on Monday afternoon. PRG, who hadn’t conceded a single goal in four matches, would have been the slight favourites, but Kearsney challenged them from the first whistle to the last.
It wasn’t the prettiest of games, but both sides were admirably unyielding and hard-working. The battle in the midfield was also one that was undecided throughout, with the flanks presenting a better option for the attacking teams.
The Stellenbosch side, now coached by former DHS Director of Hockey, Michael Baker, nonetheless, took a 1-0 lead into half-time after their penalty corner ace, Reuben Sendzel, struck from the set piece.
In the second stanza, both sides continued to go at it hammer and tongs. However, apart from a few penalty corners, goal scoring opportunities were few and far between.
Time had almost expired when Kearsney won a penalty corner, which presented them with one last chance to salvage a draw. Captain Matt De Oliveira stepped up to handle the drag flick. The injection was straight and true, and the SA Schools’ midfielder let rip, beating the ‘keeper to his left to snatch a dramatic equaliser. He roared in delight and was mobbed by his team-mates.
That proved to be the final act of the contest, leaving both teams unbeaten at the festival – Paul Roos with four wins and a draw, and Kearsney with three wins and two draws.
An exciting showdown of north vs south powers – St Stithians vs SACS – preceded the Kearsney vs Paul Roos clash.
Saints, Johannesburg’s number one after winning the 2023 Aitken Trophy, faced SACS, South Africa’s number one of last season. Earlier in the event, Paul Roos had beaten Saints 2-0, but the Joburg boys had given a good account of themselves.
They held firm against SACS in the first half, staying composed when in possession and, generally, doing a good job of closing the Cape Town school down when they approached the circle. SACS had one or two good opportunities to score but failed to take their chances.
After the break, Litha Kraai got SACS onto the board, slotting from the edge of the circle after a quickly taken hit. A minute later, after SACS quickly dispossessed Saints, he made it 2-0, firing a crisp reverse stick shot into the backboard.
Coach Sam Holmes‘ side was far from done, however. They did a splendid job of harassing the man on the ball, hunting in two and threes, turning over possession, and then moving the ball swiftly up the field and into the circle, where they added three more goals in the third chukka. The contest had been decided.
Just before the final whistle, SACS made it half-a-dozen. Faced with serious opposition, they had stepped up their game in very impressive fashion.
SACS’ coach Holmes, commented: “When you execute at that level, with players like Litha Kraai, once they get the ball rolling, it’s tickets for anyone.”
In the first match of the final day, Rondebosch Boys’ High claimed a 2-1 win over Affies. Parktown Boys’ High produced their best performance of the festival to overwhelm Dale College 7-0 and Queen’s College ran out deserved 3-0 winners over Northwood‘s Brown Socks.
RESULTS
Rondebosch Boys’ High 2-1 Affies
Parktown Boys’ High 7-0 Dale College
Queen’s College 3-0 Northwood School
SACS 6-0 St Stithians College
Kearsney College 1-1 Paul Roos Gimnasium
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