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Garsfontein battles Waterkloof while Boys High hosts Hilton in Pretoria

By Avuyile Sawula , in Hockey | Featured Hockey | News , at 2024-05-09 Tags: , , ,

Garsfontein in action against Grey High School during the Hibbert Shield in Gqeberha. Photo: Kaarl Seebach
Garsfontein in action against Grey High School during the Hibbert Shield in Gqeberha. Photo: Kaarl Seebach

Pretoria bragging rights will be on the line on Friday when Hoërskool Waterkloof welcomes Hoërskool Garsfontein to their astroturf, with the sides set to reignite their fierce rivalry.

The visitors enter the clash high in confidence after an impressive showing at the Hibbert Shield.

In Gqeberha, coach Steve Paulo‘s men produced an upset for the ages when they defeated previously unbeaten Bishops Diocesan College 1-0 in the quarterfinals to seal a spot in the last four.

There, they faced a tough and dangerous Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) side, who hit a purple patch to overwhelm Garsies. PRG subsequently went on to win the tournament.

The boys from Pretoria ended fourth after a 1-4 defeat to Grey High School, but that was an outstanding result as the Hibbert Shield, beyond a shadow of doubt, brought together the strongest field of the year at a boys’ hockey tournament.

This week, Garsfontein shifts gears and comes up against an unpredictable Waterkloof side that had been making progress this season under the leadership of coach Mark Lamprecht.

Lamprecht’s side began their season well at the NWU Eagles Festival in March, picking up wins against St Andrew’s School (3-0), Sasolburg (4-1), and Potchefstroom Gimnasium (3-2).

Last month, they defeated Transvalia 3-2, with Jordan Abbott, Xander Kleynhans, and Adriaan Botha all getting on the score sheet.

Their most recent match, at the end of April, resulted in a 1-2 defeat against Menlopark in the NWU Puk Reeks finals. The hosts face an in-form team, but they will be raring to go and will draw inspiration from their home supporters.

Another clash that’s expected to deliver fireworks in the city is the showdown of Pretoria Boys High and Hilton College, who make the long trek up from KwaZulu-Natal.

Boys High heads into the match after a bye-weekend, having last played competitive hockey against Parktown Boys’ High late last month. In that clash, coach Jacques Klopper’s men took home a 3-0 win.

Before that, they beat St Alban’s College 2-1 and King Edward VII 3-0. They did, however, suffer a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Maritzburg College in Pietermaritzburg.

In Hilton, they come up against a team looking to get back to winning ways after they were dealt a massive blow by Michaelhouse last weekend, going down 2-3 at home.

Before that clash, coach Damian Kimfley’s side drew 4-4 with Kearsney College and thumped Glenwood 5-0.

Hilton will be fully aware of the threat posed by Boys High, who are much improved since the Nomads Festival, where Kimfley’s boys were one of the top performers. Captain Jared Kitto and his team will need to be switched on from the start of the match lest they find the long journey to the South African capital a tough one to stomach.

Fixtures

Friday, 10 May

18:30 – Hoërskool Waterkloof vs Hoërskool Garsfontein
18:45 – Pretoria Boys High vs Hilton College

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