Unexpected Primo Big 10 group winners
Saturday, day one of the Primo Big 10, threw up some unexpected results, with the hosts, Hilton College, finishing top of Group A, Northwood topping Group B, and Michaelhouse leading the way in Group C.
Catch the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools
It was very tight in Group A, with Hilton edging out St Charles 2-1 after striking twice in quick succession, while the other two matches – between St Charles and Glenwood (1-1) and Hilton and Glenwood (0-0) – ended in draws.
The Green Machine, the defending champion, then, were destroyed by Maritzburg College in their cross-pool playoff game, with the Red, Black, and White rolling to a 5-0 win.
Surprisingly, College, the 2023 winners and the Mancosa KZNHFA Coastal A-League champion, finished only third in their pool. They drew 1-1 with Northwood but lost 0-1 to DHS, while Northwood claimed a 2-0 victory over DHS.
Then, in the cross-pool playoffs, Hilton and DHS drew 1-1, while Northwood claimed a narrow 1-0 win over St Charles.
Saints gave a good account of themselves, but two hard-fought defeats by a single goal consigned them to the 9th and 10th playoff on Sunday morning.
In Group C – which had four teams and not three like Group A and Group B – Michaelhouse, who won the KZNHSFA Inland C-League title in the second term, trailed by a goal against Westville Boys’ High, the Mancosa KZNHSFA Coastal A-League champion, in their opening game, but they levelled the score by slotting a penalty. Then, goalkeeper Luke Mitchell saved a spot kick that had been awarded to Westville, and the teams played to a 1-1 draw. That save, in the end, secured top spot in the group for ‘House.
They also sneaked by Kearsney 2-1, which was the same score as when the teams met at the end of July. Against Clifton, Michaelhouse ran wild, powering their way to an 8-0 win.
Westville, meanwhile, edged out their neighbours, Kearsney, 1-0, and scored some crackers in a 4-0 win over hapless Clifton, who went down to Kearsney 1-2 in their opener.
That’s set up a 9th/10th playoff between Clifton and St Charles late on Sunday morning. Before that, though, the quarterfinals will be played.
Hilton takes on Kearsney on the lush green grass of Zungu Field at 09:00, while Northwood and Maritzburg College face off on the bouncier surface of Etheridge, where they drew in Saturday’s group game.
Hilton has looked solid more than spectacular on their home ground, but they’re tough to break down, and keeping the opposition off the scoresheet is a job already half done.
Northwood appears rejuvenated and transformed after a disappointing showing in the Mancosa KZNHSFA Coastal A-League in the second term. It’s hard to reconcile the team that played so well on Saturday at Hilton with the side that came so close to being relegated from the Coastal A-League.
The Knights were one of the most impressive outfits on display on day one, but they take on a tricky opponent in College on Sunday. It’s not exactly a favourable draw.
Michaelhouse tackles DHS on Zungu at 10:00, while it’s Glenwood versus Westville on Etheridge at the same time.
Given their impressive ascension to the top of Group C, ‘House will fancy their chances against School.
Westville will feel that Glenwood has shown some vulnerability, and the Griffin has the strikers to make the Green Machine pay if they don’t keep it tight at the back.
Results
Group A
Hilton 2-1 St Charles
St Charles 1-1 Glenwood
Hilton 0-0 Glenwood
Group B
Northwood 2-0 DHS
Northwood 1-1 Maritzburg College
Maritzburg College 0-1 DHS
Cross-pool playoffs
Hilton 1-1 DHS
St Charles 0-1 Northwood
Glenwood 0-5 Maritzburg College
Group C
Michaelhouse 1-1 Westville
Clifton 1-2 Kearsney
Westville 4-0 Clifton
Michaelhouse 2-1 Kearsney
Westville 1-0 Kearsney
Michaelhouse 8-0 Clifton
Fixtures, Sunday, 17 August
Quarterfinals
QF1 – 09:00 – Zungu – Hilton (A1) vs Kearsney (2nd best 3rd)
QF2 – 09:00 – Etheridge – Northwood (B1) vs Maritzburg College (Best 3rd)
QF3 – 10:00 – Zungu – Michaelhouse (C1) vs DHS (B2)
QF4 – 10:00 – Etheridge – Glenwood (A2) vs Westville (C2)
9th/10th – 11:00 – Clifton (C4) vs St Charles (3rd best 3rd)
Semi-finals
SF1 – 13:00 – Zungu – W QF1 vs W QF4
SF2 – 13:00 – Etheridge – WQF2 vs W QF3
Final
15:00 – Zungu – W SF1 vs W SF2
