Hilton and Danville lift Kearsney Hockey 5s trophies
Garsfontein enjoyed an unbeaten run through to the final of the Kearsney Hockey 5s, powered by Belgotex Sport, but they were finally stopped in the final by Hilton College.
Earlier in the event, Garsies had beaten Hilton 3-2, but the Midlands school turned the tables and recorded a 3-0 victory to claim the title.
It was a tough break for Garsfontein, who played some fantastic hockey, with their SA u17 star Luken Brunette impressing with his control and composure at the back.
Hilton, though, were up for the game and they kept taking it to Garsfontein until the dam wall eventually broke. Captain Regan Mudau made the breakthrough and then added a second before Xavier Enslin made sure the trophy would end up in Hilton’s hands.
Hilton’s Director of Hockey Devon van der Merwe revealed his team’s unusual approach to the competition after they had secured the title. “We haven’t given one team talk this weekend,” he admitted. “We believe in what we want to do.
“It’s our time of the year now where it’s about enjoyment. It’s about giving them the basics and they must figure out the rest.
“It’s about playing with freedom, no pressure, no over-coaching from us. They decide who the starting line-up is. We just run the rotation, so that it’s equal for everyone. They must work it out.”
Van der Merwe said Hilton’s approach had also changed since their first outing against Garsfontein, and it had served them well. He explained: “In our first game against Garsfontein, we tried to play too pretty, and we weren’t taking enough shots on goal. After game one against them, we decided there was too much structure, and it’s not the format of this game. It’s about expression, taking shots from anywhere.”
That was one of the standout features of the tournament: players prepared to take shots from anywhere on the court, which is allowed in Hockey 5s. There were some crackers scored from range and the players found themselves rewarded for being willing to have a go.
Clifton College enjoyed a good tournament, playing some exciting hockey, and claimed third place, edging out Michaelhouse on a penalty shootout for a second time in the tournament.
Kearsney, meanwhile, would have enjoyed getting one over their neighbours, Westville, winning it 4-3 from the spot, after the sides had played to a 3-3 draw, to grab fifth place. St Alban’s ran out 5-1 winners over Ashton to secure seventh.
Boys’ High School Results
Michaelhouse 7-0 Ashton
Westville 1-3 St Alban’s
Kearsney 2-3 Hilton
Garsfontein 3-0 Clifton
Michaelhouse 2-1 Hilton
Ashton 2-5 St Alban’s
Kearsney 4-2 Westville
Garsfontein (1) 1-1 (0) Michaelhouse
Clifton 3-0 St Alban’s
Kearsney 14-0 Ashton
Westville 4-1 Hilton
St Alban’s 5-1 Ashton (7th/8th)
Kearsney (4) 3-3 (3) Westville (5th/6th)
Clifton (3) 4-4 (2) Michaelhouse (3rd/4th)
Hilton 3-0 Garsfontein (1st/2nd)
Girls’ High School matches
In the girls’ competition, Danville Park Girls’ High had an opportunity to play for the title for a second year in succession when they won their way through to the final. Their opponents in the title-decider were St Mary’s DSG, who had comfortably beaten Danville 5-1 in pool play earlier in the day.
The girls from the north of Durban rose to the challenge, however, and lifted themselves for one last tilt, with the silverware on the line.
In a tight contest, Danville battled for every ball and when the whistle sounded to end regulation time, the teams were deadlocked at 1-1.
From there, it was off to a penalty shootout and when the all-action Codie Bestbier, who epitomised the fighting spirit of her side, took her opportunity, Danville, like Hilton College, had reversed an earlier loss to their final’s opponent.
Beaten 5-3 in the 2023 final by St Anne’s, Danville didn’t allow a second title-winning chance to pass them by.
Maris Stella beat Ashton 2-1 to claim third place, while Curro Hillcrest produced their best performance of the event in their last game, outplaying Thomas More 4-0 to finish fifth.
Girls’ High School Results
Maris Stella 3-0 Thomas More
Ashton 1-3 Curro Hillcrest
St Mary’s DSG 5-1 Danville
Thomas More (0) 3-3 (1) Ashton
Maris Stella 1-0 Danville
St Mary’s DSG 4-1 Curro Hillcrest
Maris Stella 2-1 Ashton (3rd/4th)
Thomas More 0-4 Curro Hillcrest (5th/6th)
St Mary’s DSG (0) 1-1 (1) (1st/2nd)
Primary School Results
Highbury 1 14-0 Kloof Senior Primary
Highbury 2 3-3 Winston Park
Bonsanani 3-3 Ashton
Cowan House 2-3 Penzance
Treverton 0-7 Atholl Heights
Westville Senior 1-3 Hillcrest Primary
Winston Park 3-1 Cowan House
Highbury 2 5-1 Penzance
Highbury 1 4-1 Atholl Heights
Hillcrest Primary 5-0 Bonisanani
Ashton 6-0 Kloof Senior Primary
Westville Senior Primary 7-2 Treverton
Winston Park 2-1 Penzance
Highbury 2-6 Atholl Heights
Cowan House 4-0 Ashton
Treverton 1-6 Bonisanani
Highbury 1 3-1 Westville Senior Primary
Kloof Senior Primary 0-15 Hillcrest Primary
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