Cambridge – the team that “could” cause an upset against Selborne College
Cambridge High School will be eyeing to cause an unexpected upset when they make the 30-minute trip down to Selborne College this coming Friday afternoon in another heated Eastern Cape derby.
Cambridge is known for their strong hockey program, having produced impressive results in recent years.
Undoubtedly, they’re the side in East London that could potentially cause an upset against the in-form Selborne side.
Their season has been one to savor, coupled with a couple of results that have made provincial selectors take note, much to the inclusion of two players (Damian Alldred and Siphesihle Nodada in the Amathole IPT squad.
They started the derby season with a hard-fought (2-1) win against Hudson Park.
Wins against Graeme College (7-0), Dale College (2-0), and a (2-2) draw against Stirling High followed suit, adding to the side’s confidence and team culture built by Tim Stirk at the school and also demonstrating the attacking style of play by the black and green boys.
Stirk’s boys, however, will be weary of the threats posed by the best side in the Eastern Cape, particularly playing in a hostile environment known for its unappealing treatment of traveling schools.
The atmosphere at the Selborne Astro is something that always seems to throw teams off and is one psychological factor the visitors need to overcome even before the first chukka kicks off.
For the home side, they come into the game as favorites on the back of five consecutive victories. KJ Friend’s troops will also be motivated to take a clean sweep in the city.
With winning on their minds, the management will stick with their strong side which has produced all season. If Cambridge are to cause an upset, they’ll certainly have to do it against the best in the region.
Kick-off between the sides is at 18:30 at the Selborne College Astro turf.
In other matches, Queens College will be back in action after a break when they take on St Andrews in Makhanda.
Graeme College makes the short trip down to King Williams Town to face a struggling Dale College side, while another local derby will see Hudson Park host Stirling High.
In Gqeberha, Woodridge College takes on Victoria Park.
The teams:
Selborne College: Charlie Caswell, Gray van Heerden, Daniel Gaylard, Shane Stagg, Ben van der Merwe (captain), Masibulele Siswana, Tre’ Gilbert, Daniel Conroy, Jacques van der Merwe, James Carr, Daniel Sirgel, Lunga Malusi, Waeden Plaatjes, Cade Kock.
Cambridge High: Sange Sakube, Sixolisiwe Qalinto (Capt.), Samkelisiwe Ndzotyana (GK), Damian Alldred, Raheem Medina, Siphelele Kewuti, Siviwe Nukwa, Siphesihle Nododa, Aqhama Mdlulwa, Unam Bolo, Ryan Henriks, Aliziwe Sokoyi, Anganathi Nyongo, Alakhe Kewuti.
Friday 9 June
15:30 – Hudson Park vs Stirling; 15:45 – Dale College vs Graeme College; 15:45 – Woodridge vs Victoria Park; 16:00 – St Andrew’s College vs Queen’s College; 18:30 – Selborne College vs Cambridge.
