HTS Witbank turns attention to Noordvaal Cup after league triumph
The HTS Witbank boys’ first-team hockey side will head off to the Noordvaal Cup Tournament, set to take place in Polokwane, brimming with confidence after winning the Mpumalanga Schools’ League a week ago.
They took on Hoërskool Nelspruit in the boys’ final, and after a tight clash had ended 1-1, they stretched clear to win 3-0 on penalties.
The league title was their second in succession.
The side, led by coaches Anel Tolmay and Kobus Dörfling, performed strongly throughout the playoffs, dismantling their oppostion and scoring goals for fun.
They downed Hoërskool Oosterland 3-0 before smashing 11 goals past Hoërskool Nelspruit’s B-team.
In the quarterfinals, they scored a comprehensive 5-1 win over Hoërskool Rob Ferreira before beating Oosterland 3-0, once again, in the semifinals.
The final, against Nelspruit, had been scheduled for 26 July, but lightning caused it to be rescheduled to Wednesday, 30 July. It was a tightly contested affair. However, after the 1-1 draw in regulation time, penalty conversions from Lehan Roux, Amogelang Ntjane, and Lwazi Nchabeleng, and some fantastic saves from goalkeeper Jeandre Schoombie, sealed the win for HTS Witbank.
“I’m beyond proud. The boys played some good hockey and defended their title well,” coach Anel Tolmay told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“Most of our games in the league were not that difficult. We faced Middelburg Hoërskool, and that was a tough game. They tested us, and the game was very tight.”
To qualify for the knockout stages of the Mpumalanga league, a team must finish in the top four in their region. Witbank advanced from the Nkangala District.
Tolmay believes the side’s success will have a major impact on their school. “This is very big for our school,” she explained. “It’s something we have been working on for the past two/three years.
“We want to get the level of hockey up and promote more development and have more teams being competitive in the region.”
The HTS Witbank side, led by captain Daniel van Wyk, after taking a little time to enjoy their title-winning success, has since set its sights on the Noordvaal Cup, which will be hosted by Hoërskool Pietersburg, in Polokwane, from 7-9 August
Last year, HTS Witbank finished fourth, while Hoërskool Monument lifted the title.
Coach Tolmay understands the level of competition awaiting her side, but she backs her players to give a solid account of themselves.
“I’m hoping that we can compete and potentially come back with another trophy.
“With that said, the competition at Noordvaal is very tough. We will need to work hard, but I’m confident the boys have it in them,” she reckoned.
HTS Witbank opens their challenge with two matches on day one of the Noordvaal Cup, facing Hoërskool Zwartkop at 11:15 and Sasolburg High School at 15:45.
All matches will be played on Hoërskool Pietersburg’s AstroTurf.
