Goals and upsets: A weekend that had it all in the Western Cape
Schoolboy hockey is often the topic of discussion in the Western Cape, and rightfully so because the province produces some of the best players and teams in the country.
However, in recent years, the girls’ game has improved tremendously with teams across the province asserting their dominance and putting on a show for spectators every week.
The past weekend’s action was a testament to how far girls’ hockey has come in the Western Cape with top sides meeting in local derbies and crucial league fixtures and putting on a show.
On Friday night, the matches that stood out were the meetings between Parel Vallei and Paarl Gimnasium, and Rhenish Girls’ High School against Paarl Girls’ High, in Stellenbosch.
Paarl Gim had a bye the previous week and returned to action seeking to make a statement against coach Wayne Coetzee’s Parel Vallei side.
They proved to be too strong for PV, and a brace by Imke Koegelenberg, followed by a goal from Anya Swanepoel, sealed a 3-1 win away from home.
In Stellenbosch, Rhenish was on fire in an 8-0 dismantling of Paarl Girls’ High. Rhenish’s Stellenbosch rivals, HMS Bloemhof, outclassed Rustenburg Girls’ High to claim a 4-0 win.
It was a clinical performance from coach Chris Gerber‘s Rhenish side, who went into Friday’s clash off the back of an impressive 6-0 victory over St Cyprian’s School the previous week.
They were ruthless in attack and played an expensive brand of hockey but, most importantly, they capitalised on the chances they created inside their opponent’s circle.
Leah du Plessis led from the front with a hat-trick, while vice-captain Frankie Henn grabbed two of her own. Lilly Newton, who was on the scoresheet against St Cyprian’s, scored again, and Nicola van der Merwe and Katherine Sickle sealed the comprehensive win.
Cape Town also hosted Hyundai Friday Nite Lights action, with Reddam House Constantia facing Springfield Convent School, and St Cyprian’s hosting DF Malan.
It was a cracker between Reddam and Springfield, who were both aiming to return to winning ways after defeats against Bloemhof and Herschel Girls School, respectively.
At the end, though, the sides could not be separated after they had played to a sizzling 3-3 draw, with Courtney Thomas, Jess Bester, and Juliet Macgregor finding the back of the net for Reddam.
Bella Amm put on a masterclass for Springfield, scoring a hat-trick to ensure her side didn’t take a home loss.
While Friday night’s five fixtures entertained, the action was far from done and it continued on Saturday morning.
The Durbanville versus Tygerberg High match was cancelled, but three others were played. Fairmont High School kicked off proceedings against Rustenburg Girls’ High.
After playing to a 2-2 draw with DF Malan the previous weekend, Fairmont had their eyes set on collecting maximum points at home.
Under the guidance of coach Bryce West, Liza Duckitt, and Jody Lang, the girls in green secured an impressive 2-1 victory, with Camryn Corner scoring both goals for her side.
It was also a special occasion for Madison Ackerman, who made her 100th appearance for the school, and celebrated it with a win.
Stellenberg High School, meanwhile, shook up things in their match against Herschel.
Coach Paulene de Bruin’s side has made massive strides, and they entered their clash against an in-form Herschel after a 7-0 win over Wynberg Girls’ High last time out.
Herschel had, meanwhile, defeated Springfield in the Herschfield Derby, so they were confident, and they expected to get the job done.
However, Stellenberg took a page out of their boys’ book. Last week, Stellies upset Bishops, winning 2-1 at the Woodlands AstroTurf. On this occasion, the girls stunned Herschel, pulling off an upset 3-2 win.
Juane Meiring, Stella Zwiegers and Stephanie Lloyd were the heroes for the Bellville school, who will next turn their attention to a meeting with DF Malan.
Wynberg Girls’ High got back to winning ways with a 3-1 win over Curro Durbanville. Captain Jehan Abrahams scored for Wynberg, as did Kailin Heath and Michaela Doyle.
There was also action in George, where York High beat Langenhoven Gimnasium 4-1, while Hoërskool Outeniqua thumped Gqeberha’s Hoërskool Framesby 4-0.
RESULTS
York High School 4-1 Langenhoven Gimnasium
Reddam House 3-3 Springfield Convent School
HMS Bloemhof 4-0 Rustenburg Girls’ High School
Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 Parel Vallei
St Cyprian’s School 7-1 DF Malan
Rhenish Girls’ High 8-0 Paarl Girls’ High
Fairmont High School 2-1 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Wynberg Girls’ High 3-1 Curro Durbanville
Stellenberg 3-2 Herschel Girls School
Outeniqua 4-0 Framesby
