Jeppe captures a record fifth successive Alan Monk Tournament title
The Jeppe High School for Boys’ u16A side made history on the weekend when they lifted a record fifth successive Alan Monk Tournament title at Parktown Boys’ High.
Since succeeding St John’s College as the champion in 2022, Jeppe hasn’t relinquished the title.
The boys from Kensington, who have produced some impressive outings this season, defeated a strong St John’s College outfit 5-2 in the final to conclude the four-day tournament, which ran from 30 April to 3 May.
Jeppe went into the annual showpiece well-rested and brimming with confidence after picking up some morale-boosting results late last month.
Before kick-starting their Alan Monk title defence, they defeated Krugersdorp High 13-0, beat their arch-rivals King Edward VII (KES) 3-2, and played to an entertaining 2-2 draw with a strong Westville Boys’ High side.
“The boys worked very hard to prepare for the tournament,” head coach and Director of Hockey, Bryan Hillock, told SuperSport Schools News.
“We used the annual Nomads Festival in March and the Best of the West Easter Festival to fine-tune combinations.
“We played high-quality hockey throughout the season, and we were hoping to continue that in the tournament.”
Jeppe picked up from where they had left off in the lead-up to the event, making their intentions clear from the get-go.
In the group stage, they defeated St Stithians College 5-0 and Linden 6-1, but were surprisingly held to a 2-2 draw by Krugersdorp, who clearly had adapted their game plan since their first meeting.
They met Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) in the quarterfinals and brushed the Pretoria school aside, scoring a 5-0 win. Next, they edged out KES 1-0 in the semifinals.
With the title on the line, Jeppe turned it up a notch and played some outstanding hockey to beat St John’s and retain the title.
Hillock declared himself impressed with the event: “I think the Alan Monk Tournament is incredibly well planned and hosted,” he said.
“The level of umpiring was good. It was also great to coach and play against some of the top coaches and schools in the province.
“What impressed me the most was the humility the [Jeppe] team showed throughout, together with the attitude on defence.
“I said to the boys that in tournaments, playing sexy hockey only wins you more Instagram followers. Defence wins tournaments. To get awards for Goalkeeper and Defender of the Tournament, and to only concede five goals in six games speaks volumes.”
Jayson Hill-Vollmer received the Goalkeeper of the Tournament accolade, while Mpilo Chabe was named the Defender of the Tournament.
With a jam-packed schedule lined up for the rest of the term, Jeppe won’t rest on its laurels. They still have to take on Affies, Pretoria Boys High, St John’s, and Northwood School.
“The boys worked hard and deserve the praise; However, we still have much work to do on the training pitch, mentally and physically,” Hillock said.
Alan Monk Final Standings
Jeppe High School for Boys
St John’s College
King Edward VII
Parktown Boys’ High
Krugersdorp High
Affies
Pretoria Boys High
Trinity House Randpark Ridge
St David’s Marist Inanda
St Benedict’s College
St Stithians College
Hoërskool Noordheuwel
Helpmekaar Kollege
Kempton Park High
Hoërskool Monument
Hoërskool Linden
