28 August 2024
(Article by Marlowe Bloem)
“The team that does better in the first half, almost always gets outshone in the second half.” – My grandfather, who has been a football enthusiast for at least 40 years.
Hilton College played host to the Jody Momple Cup over the weekend, bringing together 24 teams in pursuit of the prestigious title, formerly known as the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands FA Cup.
Maritzburg College, the defending champions, had their title defence halted in the quarterfinals, going down to Edendale Technical High, who scored the only goal of the game.
Meanwhile, the KZN Inland League champions, Carter High, were upset by Ixopo High in their last eight clash, with the Stallions picking up a 2-1 win.
Carter B, playing in place of Maritzburg Christian School, who were a late withdrawal from the event, excelled in making it to the quarterfinals, but there they ran into Michaelhouse and the boys in red and white rolled to a 3-0 victory, courtesy of a superb hattrick from Tristan Roques.
The hosts, Hilton, meanwhile, rocked Alexandra High early and often, racing into a 3-0 lead before the Pietermaritzburg school could find a footing in the game. They showed great courage to fight back with two goals, but Hilton added a couple more to run out 5-2 victors. Their win set up a tasty showdown with their arch-rivals, Michaelhouse.
In that game, with the entire Hilton College student body supporting alongside Zungu Field, the home team struck early from a penalty to take the lead. ‘House, though, is a side with strong character and they put it on full display as they fought back to claim a 2-1 win and a place in the final.
Ixopo and Edendale, meanwhile, defended well in their semi-final, keeping their opponents at bay, to force the contest into a penalty shootout. There, Ixopo won out, taking it 3-1 to secure their place in the title-decider.
When the whistle sounded to get the last game of the competition underway, it was clear that both sides knew that they were in a final, playing for silverware. Set pieces – corners, throw-ins, goal-kicks and free-kicks – racked up as defenders charged for the ball, while attackers frantically scanned around for space to exploit.
The game was evenly matched, but it was the black and yellow of Ixopo who drew first blood in the last minute of the first half. A corner was whipped from the left to the front of goal, about six metres out. Ixopo captain Saki leapt up and hammered the ball into a rattling net with a header. That set piece precision from the Stallions separated the sides at half-time.
After two long days of competition, the intensity of the contest was taking its toll, with a number of players being forced to the sidelines to deal with cramp.
However, in the 34th minute, Michaelhouse scored. They, too, were lethal from a corner. A floating cross from the right landed among a flock of players inside the six yard box. After a scramble, the ball was cleared, but the assistant referee, signalled it had crossed the line. It was an excellent decision.
Ixopo created some good chances as the clock ticked down, but Michaelhouse held firm and the game moved to the penalty spot.
‘House forward Gordon Deutscher stepped up to take the first penalty. He took a deep breath, followed by a quick run up, and then smashed the ball into the top left corner for the opener.
From there, Ixopo and Michaelhouse went blow-for-blow, until it was time for sudden death.
The red and whites scored their first penalty to edge ahead 6-5. Then, Ixopo’s attempt was wide of the goal. It was heart-break for the brave team in yellow and black. Michaelhouse celebrated.
It was the first time in the school’s history that they had captured the Jody Momple Cup, and it was ‘House’s second big title in three years, following on their victory in the Primo Big 10 in 2022.
Jason Brufau, of Michaelhouse, was named the Player of the Match, while Tino Hove, of Hilton College, won the Bryce Moon Award as the event’s top goal scorer. His seven were just one shy of the record.
Michaelhouse captain Angelo Nkosi was thrilled with his team’s victory and said he hoped it would boost the game at the school: “Hopefully, it means there will be a greater focus on the football programme, more excitement about it,” he said.
“I hope this gives guys a reason to invest in the sport, to support the guys who play, and to grow the culture.”
Then, he paid tribute to his teammates, saying: “These guys are amazing. A lot of them put up their hands. A lot of them said that this is the year we are going to make it count. We are going to have a successful season. I love each and every single person here, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team.”
The honours in the Bowl went to Etham College, who were ecstatic after beating Heritage Academy 4-0 in the final, while Haythorne Secondary School won the Plate final, beating ML Sultan Secondary 2-1.
RESULTS
Group A
Hilton College 2-2 Howick
Hilton College 6-1 Riverwood
Riverwood 1-2 Howick
Hilton 5 points, Howick 4 points, Riverwood 0 points
Group B
Alexandra 5-0 Grace
Alexandra 3-0 St Nicholas
St Nicholas 2-2 Grace
Alexandra 6 points, St Nicholas 2 points, Grace College 1 point
Group C
Michaelhouse 4-0 Weston
Michaelhouse 2-0 ML Sultan
ML Sultan 9-0 Weston
Michaelhouse 6 points, ML Sultan 3 points, Weston 0 points
Group D
St Charles 0-0 Carter B
St Charles 1-2 Heritage Academy
Heritage Academy 0-2 Carter B
Carter B 5 points, St Charles 1 points, Heritage 0 points
Group E
Carter 3-0 Greytown
Carter 2-0 Newton
Newton 4-0 Greytown
Carter 6 points, Newton 3 points, Greytown 0 points
Group F
Ixopo 2-0 Etham
Ixopo 2-1 Haythorne
Haythorne 4-0 Etham
Ixopo 6 points, Haythorne 3 points, Etham 0 points
Group G
Edendale 2-0 Wartburg
Edendale 2-0 Linpark
Linpark 2-0 Wartburg
Group H
Maritzburg College 7-0 Treverton
Maritzburg College 2-0 Umvuzo
Umvuzo 3-0 Treverton
Maritzburg College 6 points, Umvuzo 3 points, Treverton 0 points
Bowl Quarterfinals
Riverwood 7-0 St Nicholas
Weston 0-1 Heritage Academy
Greytown 1-5 Etham
Wartburg 4-1 Treverton
Plate Quarterfinals
Howick 4-1 Grace College
ML Sultan 3-1 St Charles
Newton 0-2 Haythorne
Linpark 1-0 Umvuzo
Cup Quarterfinals
Hilton College 5-2 Alexandra
Michaelhouse 3-0 Carter B
Carter 1-2 Ixopo
Edendale Technical 1-0 Maritzburg College
Bowl Semi-finals
Riverwood 3-4 Heritage
Etham 1-0 Wartburg
Plate Semi-finals
Howick (5) 1-1 (6) ML Sultan
Haythorne (8) 2-2 (7) Linpark
Cup Semi-finals
Hilton College 1-2 Michaelhouse
Ixopo (3) 0-0 (1) Edendale
Bowl final
Etham College 4-0 Heritage Academy
Plate Final
ML Sultan 1 – 2 Haythorne
Cup Final
Michaelhouse (6) 1-1 (5) Ixopo
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