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Dale out to crash Queen’s Reunion party in Komani

By Avuyile Sawula , in Hockey | Featured Hockey | News , at 2024-04-18 Tags: ,

After showing signs of improvement early in the season, Dale College will aim to claim their biggest scalp so far, when they face their traditional rivals, Queen’s College, on Friday afternoon at the Komani school’s 166th Reunion.

The game starts at 17:00 and you can catch all the action LIVE on SuperSport Schools.

The sides enter the match in contrasting form. Last weekend, the hosts scored an impressive 1-1 draw at Selborne College, which was the first time the East London side had failed to win this season in 16 matches.

Meanwhile, Dale was trounced 9-0 by the in-form Grey High in Qonce.

Those results will mean little when the sides square off on the Chris Harker Astroturf. Derby clashes between traditional rivals are among the least predictable games.

Dale, unlike in 2023, began their season positively at the Tony Godding Festival. There, coach Junior Mqingwana’s charges performed well, played an attractive brand of hockey, and found the back of the net regularly, which helped them to wins over Montana High School (5-0), Bethlehem Voortrekker (4-3), Linden (5-0).

They finished the festival unbeaten, with the only blemish on their record being a 1-1 draw with Curro Waterstone in their opening match.

Soon after that, Dale visited Kearsney College for the Founders Festival, which brought together some of the country’s leading teams.

They found the going much tougher in Botha’s Hill, where a tough fixture list included outings against Rondebosch, Parktown, and Kearsney.

“We made really good progress from the Tony Godding Festival heading into Founders,” coach Mqingwana told SuperSport Schools ahead of their Queen’s clash.

“At Tony Godding, we got to play the type of hockey we wanted to play, the transition, and building. At Founders, I think we were good. It was just that last game [a big loss to Parktown] where we couldn’t get the result.

“I think we competed quite well and punched above our weight, so I’m very pleased with the progress.”

Dale is currently in a rebuilding phase after a nightmarish 2023 hockey season.

To help build the team’s culture, and to instil hope and belief in the players, Mqingwana is supported by two assistant coaches, Nazo Mlakalaka and Mvume Mqingwana, while Sibulele Zingitwa manages the team.

Mqingwana, who previously coached the u14s and u16s at the school, said it has been a rewarding season thus far.

“The journey has been amazing,” he reckoned. “I can say the only thing we wanted from this bunch of players is to not lose the change room.

“We wanted to get them to fall in love with playing hockey again. But it wasn’t as difficult as it should’ve been, because I’ve grown up with this group since u14 and u16, and now at the first team level.

“I think, for us, it’s all about working hard, representing our school as best as we can and, of course, competing on the turf.”

A stiff challenge awaits Dale in Komani. Queen’s, too, is a team that has made strides this season.

“Queen’s is a good team, and the difference between the sides will be who takes their chances,” Mqingwana said.

“We play a similar brand of hockey. It’s not identical, it’s just that whoever takes their chances in front of goal will win.

“That’s how you win hockey matches, and hopefully we’ll take ours,” he concluded.

TEAMS

Dale College: Libhongo Mgijima, Afika Ganda, Siyabonga Madlwabinga, Joe Mendoza, Naledi Mosebi, Akanani Msuthu, Sibongisile Nzima (Captain), Amangile Songelwa (Captain), Sonwabiso Dyani, Gavin Walton, Lihlumelo Nchukana, Imanathi Matshikwe, Caleb Ellis, Endinako Mnguni, Unesisa George, Avuyile Ngqawana.

Queen’s College:  Rowan Miles (gk), Asi Tybosch, Brett Hoffmann, Yibonge Mquqwana, Mafu Mandaba, Aiden van Jaarsveld (vc), Morgan Hayes, Mbasa Batyi, Damian Miles, Bevaneo Maytham (c), Liso Mtalaliso, Liyema Auwa, Asi Vena, Tafiro Kagoro.

Avuyile Sawula
error: Sorry ol' chap, those shenanigans are not permissible.