Clarendon vs Pearson headlines derby action in the Eastern Cape
There are several big matches and derbies in the Eastern Cape this coming weekend, but many hockey enthusiasts will turn their focus to the tussle between Clarendon High School for Girls and Pearson High, in East London.
The girls from Gqeberha face their provincial rivals on Friday evening, at 18:15.
Both sides have already seen action in festivals and will be keen to lay down a marker as they head into league games and derby clashes.
They were both in action at the Synsport Greg Beling Festival before making their way to Johannesburg for the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival, which concluded on Sunday.
At St Mary’s, Clarendon finished in 18th place, just above Collegiate Girls’ High and Herschel Girls School. After sharing a goalless draw with the hosts in their last match, Pearson ended in an impressive 11th place in the elite 32-team field.
Pearson head coach Anton Peltenburg said his side would aim to pick up where they left off and continue to build on the progress they made in Johannesburg when they take on Clarendon.
“The girls, as a group, showed pure grit and determination, and they’ve started believing in themselves and the process,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“Clarendon also attended St Mary’s. We were fortunate to watch a few of their games. Our process will always stay the same going into a derby weekend. The only adaptation we will make from St Mary’s is preparing for a longer format.”
It will be a different challenge to that of St Mary’s, with the sides set to play four chukkas comprising 13 minutes each.
Peltenburg, however, believes the 25-minute one-way format they played in Johannesburg will stand his side in good stead for the season.
“St Mary’s is an extremely tough tournament. The fixtures are back-to-back and only 25 minutes one way,” he explained.
“The experience gained by the girls was invaluable. It helped them learn to adapt quickly to different situations. I think we just need to take our opportunities and try not to be complacent in defence.”
The competition in the Eastern Cape is heating up this year, with the likes of DSG Makhanda and Collegiate set to challenge a young Pearson outfit as the season progresses.
For now, though, Pearson’s focus is solely on Clarendon, and the girls from Gqeberha will look to their skipper, Annemi De Villiers, to lead them from the front, along with their goalkeeper and vice-captain, Rebecca Haswell.
OTHER MATCHES
Elsewhere in the province, Hudson Park will make a short 20-minute drive to face Cambridge High School in their first derby of the season.
Hudson showcased their skills at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, where they finished in 29th place out of 48 teams.
They are the favourites against an unknown Cambridge side that will be aiming to impress their home supporters.
Stirling High School travels to Komani to face Queenstown Girls High, while York High visits Alexander Road on Saturday.
FIXTURES
Friday, 11 April
18:15 – Clarendon vs Pearson
Saturday, 12 April
08:30 – Alexander Road vs York
10:10 – Cambridge vs Hudson Park
11:00 – Queenstown Girls’ High vs Stirling High
