DSG Makhanda chases derby delight against Pearson
The highly demanding and frantic festival season in schoolgirls’ hockey has finally taken a back seat, and teams can indulge in derby games for the next two months.
Some of the Eastern Cape’s top girls’ sides will return to action this weekend, intent on staking a claim to being the province’s best.
There are several juicy matches on the cards, but the clash of the weekend is, undoubtedly, the meeting between Pearson High School and DSG Makhanda, which takes place in Gqeberha on Saturday morning at 11:45.
Both sides have played entertaining hockey this season, and their recent form makes for an interesting showdown at Pearson’s Top AstroTurf.
The hosts contested the inaugural Belgotex Sport Girls Hockey Challenge, in Paarl over the past weekend. There, coach Anton Peltenburg‘s charges impressed and captured the bronze medal after defeating St Mary’s DSG, Kloof, 2-1 in the third-place playoff.
To get to that game, Pearson edged out their Gqeberha rivals Collegiate Girls’ High 3-2 in the quarterfinals, but then suffered a 0-2 loss to the eventual runner-up Herschel Girls School in the final four.
Despite missing out on a chance to play for gold, coach Peltenburg and his staff will be pleased with their team’s performances and will rally behind them to maintain their momentum against DSG.
Their skipper, Annemi De Villiers, will be crucial in midfield, while goalkeeper Rebecca Haswell will need to bring her A-game between the posts.
While the hosts are brimming with confidence, DSG Makhanda will enter the clash with a point to prove after recently returning from their tour of The Netherlands, which took place from 21 April to 5 May.
Coach Geowynne Gamiet’s troops showcased class and performed well against some tough and tricky opposition. In six matches, they recorded five wins, four of them convincingly, beating Eemvallei Hockey Club 3-2, MHC De Reigers 5-1, Nuenen Hockey Club 6-3, Helmond Hockey Club 6-1, and Hoekschewaard Hockey Club 5-2.
Before heading abroad, DSG, also, impressed at the St Stithians College Easter Hockey Festival where they won four of their five matches after playing to a goalless draw against Saints.
With both Pearson and DSG firing on all cylinders, Saturday morning’s clash should deliver thrilling entertainment. That was what was dished up the last time the sides met in Makhanda, with that match ending in a 3-3 draw.
In other matches taking place in Gqeberha, Hoërskool Framesby hosts Hudson Park while Collegiate Girls’ High welcomes Union High on their Reunion Weekend.
Woodridge College heads to George to face York High, and Nico Malan has a date with Port Alfred High School.
In East London, Stirling High faces double duty. On Friday, they go up against Merrifield College before taking on Hangklip High School on Saturday.
EASTERN CAPE GIRLS’ FIXTURES
Friday, 9 May
17:00 – Collegiate Girls’ High vs Union High
17:00 – Stirling High School vs Merrifield College
Saturday, 10 May
09:50 – Framesby vs Hudson Park
10:40 – York High vs Woodridge College
11:10 – Nico Malan vs Port Alfred
11:45 – Pearson High vs DSG Makhanda
12:15 – Stirling High vs Hangklip
