Giants collide as Paarl Girls’ High hosts Paarl Gim in interschools clash
The annual interschools match between Paarl Girls’ High, and Paarl Gimnasium is one of the biggest schoolgirls’ hockey games on the annual calendar, and this weekend the giants reignite their rivalry.
Girls’ High host their arch-rivals on their main Astro on Friday night, aiming for a major boost before they shift their attention to next week’s Challengers Cup, which also takes place in Paarl.
The home side has put together a commendable season, albeit that some results haven’t gone their way.
After starting brightly during the pre-season, coach Anri Keevy‘s side carried impressive form into April’s annual St Mary’s Waverley Festival.
There, against some of the country’s best teams, the Western Cape side finished in 19th place out of the 32 teams.
Later, at the All Girls Festival in Potchefstroom, Keevy’s charges shone and showed off the winning hockey they’re capable of playing.
Facing Wynberg Girls’ High, Parktown High School for Girls, and Clarendon in Pool C, Girls’ High topped the table and made it all the way through to the semi-finals where they suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to the eventual champions, Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria.
In the playoff for third place, they faced the perennial powerhouse, Oranje, but were beaten 3-0. Still, Paarl Girls’ High finished as the second-best Western Cape side at the tournament, trailing only Rhenish, who finished as the runners-up.
“We’ve had some incredible results this season,” coach Keevy told SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the Paarl derby.
“We did extremely well at All Girls, finishing in fourth, and had some close misses. However, it’s all part of the learning process.
“The team plays a high standard of hockey, and we are always competitive.”
In the Western Cape, coach Keevy’s side has impressed against some of the top teams, holding their own and producing solid and consistent performances week in and out.
They’ve recorded some eye-catching wins, too, including beating Parel Vallei 2-1, Springfield Convent School 4-1, HMS La Rochelle 10-0 and, in their most recent outing, Durbanville 3-0.
Keevy said being part of a very competitive environment in the Western Cape has helped her side’s growth during the season.
“We are fortunate to play against some of the best schools in South Africa, and here in the Western Cape,” she said.
“Of course, it helps to be ‘in it’ when we play these teams. We seem to always be the underdog in these situations, but we prefer it that way.
“We can almost play with a sense of nothing to lose and everything to gain. Learning opportunities are plenty and when it goes well it is a massive confidence boost.
“The growth has been tremendous from the beginning of the season, not only in the way we train, but in all aspects of how we play.
“It seems that the stronger the competition, the better we play. The girls love the fight and to play to the very end.”
They’ll need to take that attitude into the contest when they tackle their biggest rival on Friday night. In Gim, they come up against a team that is brimming with confidence after a run of dominant results, which has seen them bolster an already stellar record.
They are beatable, however, and coach Keevy said her players will have to take care of every little detail to put themselves in the best possible position to cause an upset.
“The team cannot wait to play. We have trained well, and we are ready,” she said.
“The small things will be important. Discipline, keeping possession, and making the most of any opportunities in the D will be vital.
“It will be incredibly tough, but most definitely not impossible. We will come off the field with no regrets, making the most of the opportunity and taking it all in.
“History counts against us. We haven’t won the hockey in many years, although we drew last year, but that would make a win so much sweeter. The girls deserve a win,” she concluded.
Girls’ High will also bid farewell to seven of their senior players who will be taking part in their final interschools match.
They include the skipper Heyke Lombard, Rouxnè Pentz, Jana Joubert, Elize Janse van Vuuren, Nina Cilliers, Letsie de Beer, and Mikayla Tauber.
Push-back for the encounter is at 18:30.
You can catch it LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
