Founders: SACS and Paul Roos cruise, Kearsney and Saints also go two for two
Day one of the Founders Hockey Festival, played on The Mason Astro at Kearsney College, saw some of the favourites running up big scores, which was testament to their good approach play in the final third of the field, sure finishing, and well-oiled penalty corner routines.
SACS, the number one team in the country in 2023, was in action in the opening game against Affies and quickly demonstrated that they remain a class act. They rolled to a 5-1 victory, looking assured on the ball, organised across the park, and always in control.
Later, they overwhelmed Parktown Boys’ High 7-1. It was a tough opening day for Parktown, who were beaten 5-0 in their first game, against Paul Roos.
The Johannesburg school played some decent hockey between the two 23m lines and, in fact, probably shaded the number of penalty corners awarded in their match against the Stellenbosch side. The problem was that they never got a shot off, attempting PC variations every time, which suggested a lack of confidence in their routine.
Paul Roos, meanwhile, had Reuben Sendzel on the drag flick and he showed how to finish from the set piece.
Northwood, who recently returned from a tour of Argentina, had a bit of an underwhelming day. They drew 0-0 with Rondebosch in their opener, with ‘Bosch enjoying the better of the contest, and then played to a 1-1 draw with Dale College.
To put Northwood’s draw with Dale into perspective, Kearsney College, the hosts, strode to a 5-0 win over the team from Qonce in the second match of the day. Captain Matt de Oliveira and his team found Affies a tougher nut to crack in the early afternoon, but recorded a second successive win, triumphing 2-1.
Under the leadership of their new Director of Hockey, Keegan Pearce, Kearsney played a well-structured game. They appear confident and have some outstanding players in their ranks.
They’ll feel they’re in with a good shot at adding another two wins on Sunday, when they take on Rondebosch and Parktown. Their biggest test, though, will come on Monday, when they tackle Paul Roos in the final game of the festival, just before midday.
‘Bosch showed up well against Northwood, but they went 1-2 down against St Stithians in the early evening.
Queen’s College tackled the Aitken Trophy champs in their opener. Saints controlled the tempo of that contest and also delivered some good finishes to put away the boys from Komani by a 5-0 margin.
It didn’t get any easier for Queen’s next time out, with a challenging outing against Paul Roos. The Stellenbosch boys, now under former DHS Director of Hockey, Michael Baker, who returned to KZN for the first time since his move to the Western Cape, netted six times without reply, to take their tally for the opening day to 11 without conceding.
Results
Affies 1-5 SACS
Kearsney 5-0 Dale
Northwood 0-0 Rondebosch
Parktown 0-5 Paul Roos
Queen’s 0-5 St Stithians
Kearsney 2-1 Affies
Northwood 1-1 Dale
Parktown 1-7 SACS
Queen’s 0-6 Paul Roos
St Stithians 2-1 Rondebosch
