Grit and BMT propels Boland to u16 glory at SASHOC National Week
Composure, grit, and determination were traits displayed by the Boland u16A boys as they capped off a superb week by claiming top honours at this year’s u16 SASOC National Week in Bloemfontein on Wednesday.
Boland defeated Eastern Province A 1-0 on showdowns after the clash ended 2-2 on regular time.
Both sides entered the final as the “in-form” teams after stellar showings during the Pool stages, and semi-finals the previous day.
Drawn in the same Pool A along last year’s champions, Western Province A, Boland, and EP finished in first and second place respectively with 12 points and separated by goal difference.
In the last four, EP showed great skill, and prowess to shrug off a dangerous KZN Inland A team 4-1, while Boland left it late to record an impressive 5-2 win against KZN Coastal A.
The final between the two teams was always going to be entertaining, with great matchups and a lot riding on certain individual players to produce the goods on the big stage.
From Boland, Luka Meets was the name on everybody’s lips after his prolific goalscoring form during the week. Meanwhile, EP were to rely on the ever-present James Chree and Keegan Le Roux in front of goal.
EP were on the front foot early in the match when they took the lead in the first chukka with three minutes to play.
After winning the ball back high in Boland’s half, Mpumi Magwentshu found Keegan Le Roux in space, and he entered the circle and danced his way past Boland’s defenders to score the game’s first goal.
The Bolanders replied in the second chukka through Caleb Cilliers after a smart interlinking play between Ruben Gouws, and Seth Paterson.
Both teams kept each other at bay in the third chukka. However, it was the side from the Western Cape that made 2-1 through Luka Meets after he scored from a PC drag flick.
That goal was cancelled out by another Le Roux strike, this time from a penalty stroke to bring matters level at 2-2 with four minutes to play.
There were no goals added, and the clash went into showdowns. There, both teams struggled early on missing their opening two chances.
Boland finally scored through Luca Jordaan, and when EP’s skipper, Matthew Allibone misfired, the match ended with Boland being crowned the champions.
“It’s an amazing feel, I’m proud of the boys,” Boland’s head coach, Dewald Raath told SuperSport Schools Plus after the encounter.
“It’s also a great story because as the u16s, we were in the semi-finals for the past three years and it’s the first time we’ve won a medal and it’s gold.
“The focus this week was building team culture, and we got it right. The boys are best friends and that’s one of the many positives we can take out from this week.”
The triumph was also Raath’s first as a coach. He’s coached Boland twice in the past three years, and on both occasions missed out in the semis.
He further gave credit to some of his standout players this week, and his skipper, who helped the side clinch the title.
“Yes, there are some players who stood out but I’m just proud of the team as a whole,” he said.
“Luka was exceptional, I coach him at school (Parel Vallei) and I know he’s an absolute workhorse and plays for the team.
“Our captain, Seth, was inspirational and led the team well,” he concluded.
Luka Meets finished the tournament as the top goal scorer with 14 goals. Meanwhile, Chulumanco Mkontwana from EP and Pearson High School in Gqeberha was named the most valuable goalkeeper for his prolific shot-stopping during the week.
Boland’s Logan Lackay scooped up two accolades, Player of the Tournament, and Most Valuable Defender.
The Most Valuable Midfielder award went to KZN Coastals’ A Christopher Abrahams, and Keegan Le Roux took home the Most Valuable Striker.
In the third/fourth play-off, it was KZN Inland A that defeated KZN Coastal A 3-1 to claim the bronze medal.
Results | Day 6
KZN Inland A 3-1 KZN Coastal A
Southern Free State A 1 (2) -1 (1) KZN Inland B
Southern Gauteng B 4-0 Border A
Northern Gauteng A 0 (3)- 0(1) KZN Coastal B
Western Province A 2-0 Southern Gauteng A
Boland A 2 (1)-2(0) Eastern Province A
Full standings:
Boland A
Eastern Province A
KZN Inland A
KZN Coastal A
Western Province A
Southern Gauteng A
Northern Gauteng A
KZN Coastal B
Southern Free State A
KZN Inland B
Southern Gauteng B
Border A
