Hilton avenges loss to Michaelhouse in cracking contest
The Punchbowl Astro crackled with electricity on Friday evening as Michaelhouse hosted Hilton College for their return 1st XI hockey fixture in front of a jam-packed crowd, which included both schools lining the entire length of the field.
There was also considerable support from old boys, parents, and learners from nearby girls’ schools. It made for a magnificent sight – the entire field was ringed by spectators – and set the stage for a superb showdown.
Watch the game on SuperSport Schools
Michaelhouse had won at Hilton earlier in the season, shocking their more fancied opposition 3-2, so Hilton was determined to do the away trick, too. And they pulled it off, securing a 2-0 victory after a back-and-forth, rabidly contested match.
Hilton coach Damian Kimfley told SuperSport Schools Plus after the match: “The last game, we were quite disappointed. We had nine PCs compared to their two, and we just didn’t convert. Also, the emotion of the fixture at home, trying to protect the legacy, was part of it.
“Our main goal for today’s game was to control our emotions. The boys did it much better this time around. We followed the game plan. Everyone knew what they had to do.”
Hilton settled well, establishing a sound base and moving the ball confidently from side to side as they probed for chinks in the Michaelhouse defence while enjoying greater ball possession. They were rewarded with early success.
In the 10th minute, a ball played towards the Michaelhouse circle was nicely redirected towards Tino Hove, inside the D. He picked it up, pushed it wide onto his backhand and smashed a sweetly struck reverse stick shot into the far corner. A super strike and a well taken chance.
Michaelhouse defended well. They also enjoyed an advantage in the penalty corner count. But the game is decided by which team takes its chances better, and, on this occasion, Hilton mustered only two PCS, but they scored from the second one.
It was a straight shot from Grant Bridgeford, low and hard. The goalkeeper managed a half-stop, but the ball dribbled past him and over the line to extend the visitors’ lead to 2-0.
Michaelhouse mounted a furious finish and won themselves a number of short corners, but Hilton stood strong and kept them out, even though that required some help beyond that which was dished out by the players and the umpires. More about that later…
An aspect of the game that was pleasing to see was the use of the offensive overhead. Far too often one sees big throws simply to relieve pressure, but both teams threw some good attacking overheads for their players to run onto while the defences had to back-pedal, which also worked to pull them apart.
“They took their chances better than us,” Michaelhouse coach Nick Bérichon said after the game. “It was a game of moments. We hit the crossbar a couple of times, in the same play, which would have got us back to 1-2. Then, we had a number of corners, and we just couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. They defended really well.”
Coach Kimfley agreed: “Defensively, I was very happy. Our ‘keeper was phenomenal,” he said.
On the other end of the park, he also saw reason to be happy: “Today, we were clinical. We took our chances. We had two PCs, we scored one. That was the difference. We needed to be clinical.”
While coming out on the wrong side of the result, especially in a big derby, hurts, Michaelhouse coach Bérichon couldn’t fault the effort his side put forth. “This group has immense character,” he said. “I couldn’t be prouder of their effort.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t our evening, and well done to Hilton. I thought they played really good hockey. They got their two goals, deservedly, and then put in a good shift defensively, to keep us out. That’s what the game is about.”
Bérichon also expressed his delight with the huge crowd: “That was amazing. What an advert for the game!
“We are big fans of the Friday night games, and to have everyone out here and it’s absolutely packed, it is incredible for these youngsters to play in front of that. I know they enjoyed it, and we really appreciate the support.”
