Hilton and Maritzburg College record wins on Friday
Hilton College and Maritzburg College played outstanding hockey to chalk up exciting victories over Glenwood High School and Westville Boys’ High on Friday.
Hilton fought their way to a 3-2 win over Glenwood, at the 3 Schools Astro, in Durban, while College cantered to a 2-0 win over Westville, on Pape’s Astro, in Pietermaritzburg.
“We had to work for the win and my boys played nicely. We had to adapt our press slightly and the way we outlet to get the result that I am proud of,” Damian Kimfley, the Hilton coach, told Supersport Schools Plus after their game.
Glenwood, a team on the rise in 2025, looked confident and moved with purpose. They sought to dominate the midfield, with relative success, and were able to make runs into the Hilton half where they encountered a resolute defence.
Kimfley’s charges had a point to make; they hadn’t journeyed to Glenwood to make up the numbers. So, they attacked as much as they defended. They, too, ran into an organised defence and the first chukka ended on equal terms, 0-0.
Hilton began the second chukka the brighter of the sides, putting Glenwood under early pressure, and they reaped the rewards. From a short corner, Ben Wilson, on the second castle, made no mistake, drilling the ball into the right corner to put Hilton ahead five minutes into chukka.
The visitors doubled their lead four minutes later. After thwarting a Glenwood attack, they launched a brisk counterattack, with Tadi Hove receiving the final pass and firing the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.
Hilton’s two-goal lead was short-lived, however. Playing with urgency, Glenwood went in search of a reply. Battling tigerishly, they won several one-on-one duels, and it was that kind of persistence that enabled them to pull a goal back four minutes from halftime.
Kimfley’s charges, though, answered Glenwood’s goal with a wonderfully executed penalty corner seconds before the end of the chukka. Rob Burman uncorked an unstoppable shot and the visitors were 3-1 up at the break.
The end-to-end action continued in the third chukka with numerous close calls. Hilton couldn’t find the last touch, but Glenwood found the back of the net with less than three minutes remaining in the quarter.
Attempts from both teams in the final chukka were rebuffed and it ended 3-2 in favour of Hilton.
“I was extremely impressed with Glenwood and how they played. They pressed with great intensity and countered with purpose,” Kimfley said in a nod to the never-say-die home side.
In Pietermaritzburg, Maritzburg College dominated play against Westville, much to the appreciation of their home crowd. However, they also spurned a fair few chances, much to their supporters’ dismay.
Lynton Fitz saved the hosts the blushes with two goals that bookended the encounter. The first came early in the first chukka and the second came in the final seconds of the fourth quarter.
“I was happy with the way the boys controlled the game today,” College coach Mark Sanders said afterwards.
RESULTS
Hilton 3-2 Glenwood
Maritzburg College 2-0 Westville
