Collegiate shows class in memorable win over Rhenish
Collegiate Girls’ High School delivered a strong performance, highlighted by solid defending, on their way to a breathtaking 3-0 win over Rhenish Girls’ High in Gqeberha on Saturday.
Much was expected from the highly anticipated derby, and it lived up to the hype with both sides producing high-octane hockey.
Rhenish entered the clash on the back of a goalless draw with Oranje in midweek, while Collegiate had thumped Union High School 12-0 last weekend.
It was a cagey affair, and came down to which side used its opportunities better.
The hosts, playing in front of their supporters and parents, brought the heat and scored two goals in the first half, courtesy of experienced campaigners Kate Brennan and Kerrin Gillies.
Rhenish had their fair share of chances, but Collegiate’s defence stood firm.
Casey Grobler slammed the final nail into the coffin in the second half, and the home side went on to a famous win.
“It was always going to be a big game for both sides,” Michael Abrahams, the Collegiate coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“From a spectator’s point of view, it was really good to watch, and the result doesn’t really reflect how the game went. It was a lot closer.
“It could’ve gone both ways; it was a game of opportunities. Our ladies were really up for it and capitalised on their chances, so we are really happy with the performance.”
In a tight contest, composure and calmness were crucial.
Coach Abrahams says he was impressed by his team’s patience and by how they didn’t rush play when in vital positions.
“I think our patience in building up was good, and we waited for opportunities to present themselves,” he said.
“We knew when to attack and also made sure we could defend well as a team to keep them out, which we did really well.
“Rhenish are very good, so we had to turn over the ball in certain areas and defend and attack as a team.”
The win for Collegiate means they’ve now defeated the Stellenbosch side twice in their past four meetings.
Last year, the teams drew 1-1 before Collegiate edged out Rhenish in a penalty shoot-out in the final of the All Girls Festival.
They met again at the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival last month, and it was Rhenish who slipped by the Eastern Cape side in the quarterfinals via a penalty shootout.
It’s possible the sides could meet again at the All Girls Festival, which will be hosted by Rhenish from 27 to 30 April.
Collegiate will be focused on defending the title, and soon after that, they will head to the Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge in Paarl.
