Hilton and Westville approach KZN clashes on a high
The upcoming weekend will see eight KZN schools take to the Astroturf in what will be the last matches for some schools before teams go on a mid-year break.
With that said, it has been a thrilling term of hockey in the province, with some teams pulling off unexpected results while some have lived up to the expectations put upon them at the start of the season.
SuperSport Schools recaps and looks at two schools in action this weekend. One has had a season to savor, while the other team goes into the weekend high in confidence after pulling a surprise win last Saturday.
*Coincidentally, both teams are on the road this weekend*
Hilton College
Nine players in the U18 KZN Inland hockey team- That is probably the first thing someone reading this article needs to know about Hilton College.
The side will travel to Kearsney College this coming weekend in hopes of continuing in the solid form that has turned them into a force within the country.
Led by Damian Kimfley, a former South African representative himself, the boys in white have played arguably one of the best attractive styles of hockey in the province, up there with DHS (Durban High School).
For their hard work, Kimfley’s Men have seen themselves rise in the schools’ rankings, and they currently sit in fourth position with 11.27 bonus points in the latest updated rankings.
Their five most impressive performances came against Maritzburg Collge, where they beat (4-0) this previous week. They also claimed the scalp of Glenwood, scoring a whopping eight goals while conceding none.
A game that surely built character in the side is the match-up against DHS, where the sides played down to the last chukka, with Hilton finally winning it (4-3).
Attractive, fast, and counter attacking hockey with a massive focus on defence has got the side to where it is today. They will look for the same against a fired-up Kearsney side come Saturday morning.
Players to watch: Akha Mda, Dale Herbert, Jarred Kitto, and Grant Bridgeford.
Westville Boys High
Westville Boys High is a team that hasn’t been at its best this season but making progress with every match.
A team that is occasionally known and accustomed to bullying fellow KZN sides has been under the stick a couple of times and on the back of receiving some humbling results.
However, with losses comes lessons, and the side has done just that, learn.
According to head coach Cameron Mackay, their most impressive match of the season dates back to the clash versus Kearsney, which was one of the few matches they have played at their new Astroturf this season.
Mackay, despite the topsy turvy season, has managed to produce two U18 KZN players in Owen Slack (CB) and Josh Beck (ST). Those selections are commendable for the side, especially considering that the team lost some crucial players from last year.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Mackay’s side though, as after 18 matches, they find themselves sitting 16th on the rankings, above the likes of Michaelhouse and Glenwood.
This coming weekend, they have a reason to believe they can win.
After defeating one of the best teams in the region, DHS (3-1) on their reunion, Mackay’s side will feel like they have the extra edge on Michaelhouse.
Players to watch: Keaton Burns, Owen Slack, Warwick Field, Kade Burns, and Josh Beck.
The teams:
Hilton team to travel to Kearsney: Nkosi Shozi, Michael Sara, Grant Bridgeford, Dale Herbert, Nicholas Chantler, Akha Mda, Wian Liebenberg, Joel Kitshoff, Kearabetswe Khoele, Jarred Kitto, Masud Dakile, Jarred Matlby, Tino Hove, Murray Loughor-Clarke, Benjamin Mcguigan.
Westville team to travel to Michaelhouse: Keaton Burns, Connor Jenkins, Daniel Lambert, Owen Slack, James Dent, Sibusiso Cele, Kade Burns, Warwick Field, Caleb van Loenen, Josh Beck, Kaeden Mc Allister, Ty Matthews, Tristan Burns, Nic Ackerman, Curt Rogers, Seth Simpson.
Fixtures:
Saturday 10 June:
10:30 – Northwood vs Maritzburg College; 11:15 – Kearsney College vs Hilton College; 11:25 – Michaelhouse vs Westville Boys’ High; 12:30 – St Charles College vs Glenwood.
