28 April 2023
The opening day of the Hibbert Shield Hockey Tournament at Grey High School in Gqeberha brought mixed fortunes for the three KZN schools – Clifton College, DHS and Westville Boys’ High – competing in the event.
Clifton College enjoyed the best day among the three, playing to a 1-1 draw with the hosts in their opening match, then following that up with a 2-0 victory over Menlo Park.
Keegan Pearce’s charges have been in good form recently, and the confidence garnered from recent wins over Maritzburg College and Saint Andrew’s School has stood Clifton in good stead.
Clifton post big win over Saint Andrew’s School
https://www.pinnacle-schools.com/2023/04/21/hockey-clifton-st-andrews/
Grey’s results at the Nomads Festival earlier this year, also played at Grey, included a 1-1 draw with a strong Jeppe team, who won the rest of their games, a 3-2 win over KES, a 2-0 win over Pretoria Boys’ High, and a 2-0 defeat of Saint John’s College. Maritzburg College, though, put in their best performance of the festival to hand Grey a 2-1 loss.
Anyway, not to stray too far from the story, the point is that Grey High is a solid team. In their second match of the day, Clifton handed Menlo Park a 2-0 defeat, which leaves the Durban school joint top of Pool A heading into the second day, but with a very tough outing against fellow table-toppers Paarl Gimnasium to come.
DHS vs defending champions
DHS took on defending champions SACS in their opener. The Cape Town school is loaded with talented players, with the majority of them in the SA under-16, SA under-17 and SA under-18 squads.
In open play, DHS matched SACS blow-for-blow, but the Horseflies missed injured striker Josh Mungarera. They created plenty of chances, but they failed to finish. SACS, meanwhile, were clinical in the DHS circle and netted five goals. For context, SACS recently thrashed Grey High 11-0!
“On counters, they were special and clinical inside the D,” DHS coach Michael Baker commented.
Michael Baker’s magical DHS hockey makeover
https://www.pinnacle-schools.com/2023/04/26/hockey-dhs-michael-baker/
On Thursday evening, DHS took on Pearson High, a team they had dominated at the Coastal Cup. However, on that day in Durban their finishing was lacking, and they ended up playing to a draw. Once again, with Mungarera sorely missed, Lerou Dithlakanyane and his team had to settle for a share of the spoils against the same opposition.
“We missed sitters,” coach Baker said. “Not being able to win or convert short corners is putting us under pressure.”
DHS face a tough clash with Selborne College in their final pool game, with the East London school having drawn against SACS on Thursday evening. Selborne were 3-0 winners over Pearson in their other match. If DHS is to advance to the quarterfinals, they will need to win.
Westville vs Garsfontein, déjà vu
For Westville, their first match, against Garsfontein, was also a repeat of a game played against the same side at the Coastal Cup. Unfortunately for the Griffin, it began in much the same manner, with a soft goal being conceded.
In the second half, though, Westville dictated matters and equalised. They won a number of penalty corners, but they were unable to find another goal. Garsfontein, then, on the final whistle, were awarded a penalty corner and converted it to steal a 2-1 win. It was the same result when the teams met earlier in Durban.
Next up, Westville faced a strong Paul Roos line-up. The Western Cape side was dominant, said Westville coach Cam Mackay, with Paul Roos coming out of the gates strongly to run Westville ragged in the first chukka.
Westville come from behind to beat Kearsney
https://www.pinnacle-schools.com/2023/04/23/hockey-westville-kearsney/
“We were very strong in chukka three,” he said, “making the score 1-2 after going 0-2 down, but then a lapse in concentration led to their third goal.”
The Griffin face Woodridge in their final pool game on Thursday.
Once the pool placings are decided, the next round of fixtures will be determined.
Results
Clifton College 1-1 Grey High
Clifton College 2-0 Menlo Park
DHS 0-5 SACS
DHS 1-1 Pearson High
Westville 1-2 Garsfontein
Westville 1-3 Paul Roos
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