Hudson eager to tackle Queen’s, Selborne and St Andrew’s hit the road
Hudson Park High School’s first-team hockey captain, Helio Ruiters, believes a desire to win, pristine execution and discipline, will be the keys to his side’s quest for glory against Queen’s College, in East London, on Friday afternoon.
The sides’ meeting will take place at the Clarendon AstroTurf, and proceedings start at 16:50 sharp.
Queen’s will arrive in the coastal city looking to bounce back after a 2-5 defeat against Grey High School last week. Hudson, meanwhile, wants to add another tick to their win column after a 4-0 victory over Merrifield College.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus ahead of the game, Ruiters said his team is geared up and eager to tackle the task ahead of them.
“It’s going to be an exciting fixture,” he said. “We played them in pre-season and won 2-0, so they have a score to settle.
“We are confident because we haven’t lost any of our derby games this season, but we know we are going to have to fight to get the desired result against the boys of Komani. As a team, we believe it will be down to who wants it more.”
Hudson Park, under the tutelage of head coach Sipe Matafeni, has enjoyed a good season in the Eastern Cape.
They started their campaign superbly during the Border Schools Day and went on to pick up an impressive top-10 finish at the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament, in Cape Town, in April.
In their derby games, they’ve picked up wins against Cambridge High School (4-1) and Hoërskool Framesby (2-1) and also shared a pulsating 4-4 draw with Victoria Park.
“Our key factor in winning all those games has to be our discipline.” the Hudson Park captain explained.
“Our coach, Mr Matafeni, has trained us for endless hours and put in a good shift to get us into the season. Therefore, all praise goes to him, as we are no longer underdogs but a force to be reckoned with in the Border Region.”
Hudson’s hockey fortunes have been on the up in the last couple of seasons. They’ve conquered Stirling High and Cambridge, in East London, and they’ll be taking a massive swing at Queen’s and Selborne.
They drew 2-2 with Queen’s last year, and Friday’s match will present them with a chance to make a big statement. That’s something that excites Ruiters.
“It all comes down to who wants it more and which team is willing to give their 100 percent and leave everything on the Astro.
“Last year, we could not convert our chances, but I am confident that this year will be different. Friday is going to be a battle between two teams that want to make their schools proud.
“Regardless of the result, I am glad that I will be part of this game. I am proud of my team, and I back every one of them,” he ended.
Other matches
While Queen’s makes the trip to East London, Selborne College will also be on the road, in Bloemfontein, to face Grey College.
Coach KJ Friend‘s side has enjoyed a good run of form lately, winning two matches on the trot, beating Dale College 5-1 and St Andrew’s College 1-0.
They face a tough challenge from a Grey College side that was last in action two weeks ago and outplayed Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) 4-1 on home soil.
Selborne is undoubtedly the underdog heading into the clash but, as they’ve shown all season long, they have some tricks up their sleeve.
Grey High School will also be in action on Friday night when they host St Andrew’s College, in Gqeberha.
Woodridge faces a high-flying Hoërskool Outeniqua, while Stirling High takes on Cambridge.
On Saturday, there will be a massive interschools clash between Hoërskool Framesby and Pearson High.
FIXTURES
Friday, 30 May
16:00 – Woodridge College vs Outeniqua
16:50 – Hudson Park vs Queen’s College
18:00 – Stirling High vs Cambridge High School
18:35 – Grey High School vs St Andrew’s College
19:00 – Grey College vs Selborne College
Saturday, 31 May
09:45 – Framesby vs Pearson High School
