Jeppe captures the 2024 Aitken Cup
Jeppe High School for Boys reclaimed the Aitken Cup, the symbol of hockey supremacy in Johannesburg, on Sunday evening at St Stithians, winning 2-0 against Parktown Boys’ High in the final.
It was the first time that Parktown had made the title-decider since 2010. During those years, Jeppe had dominated the event and won it six times in succession until 2023, when Saints ended their reign.
Sunday’s clash was a nerve-wracking affair for both sides.
In the early going, the teams went through a process of pushing and probing for potential avenues of offence. The first significant attack came from Jeppe, with Ethan Kapanda threatening, but Parktown kept matters tight at the back.
Another flowing Jeppe attack was halted in the sixth minute, and Parktown counterattacked strongly, with Khanyisa Kraai challenging the Zebras‘ defence.
The first chukka ended with a sharp attack from Jeppe, but a brilliant interception from Nicholas Townsend stopped the danger.
In the second chukka, coach Kyle Reddy‘s Parktown adopted a more direct approach, which also served to blunt Jeppe’s attack. The Kensington boys stayed compact and created an opportunity, but the outstanding Kraai turned over possession.
Parktown, then, won two penalty corners, one after another. On the re-award, Joshua Renders pulled off a brilliant save in the Jeppe goal.
“When two good teams go up against each other, the game will be decided on small margins,” Reddy commented. “Jeppe defended us well. Every time we changed our athletes, every time we changed our pace, they adapted to it very well. Well done to them.”
Two minutes into the third chukka, Jeppe broke the deadlock from a penalty corner. Juan Martin struck, beating the goalkeeper to his left with a fantastic flick, to put his side 1-0 ahead.
Despite being down by a goal, Parktown remained solid, with Kraai, at the back, ruling the roost.
Later in the chukka, Parktown won a penalty corner, but the execution wasn’t there, and the whistle sounded with Jeppe 1-0 to the good, with one more chukka to play.
It had been 14 years since Parktown played for the silverware and they were not about to bow out without having given it their all. They came out firing in the final chukka and received another short corner after four minutes.
Kraai’s shot was saved, but Parktown picked up the ball off of the rebound. Another shot, another exceptional stop from Renders, and Jeppe’s clean sheet remained intact.
Back and forth it went, with the defences continually finding answers to the questions asked of them. Parktown almost found a way through, but Ethan Kapanda showed off his defensive prowess to stymie them once more.
In a desperate move to create more opportunities, Parktown removed their ‘keeper and added another player in the field. Jeppe’s resistance didn’t falter.
Then, with seven seconds left, the Zebras won one last penalty corner. Juan Martin slotted again, doubling his personal haul and that of his team, to secure the title for Jeppe.
Afterwards, Jeppe coach Siya Sityana commented: “I feel very relieved because we have had a tough season.
“Last year, we lost in finals. This year, we had to avoid making that a tradition. My team had to break that, and they played very well. They got better throughout the tournament.”
Parktown coach Kyle Reddy said: “It was quite a good game. It was tactical.
“I think both teams played with their entire hearts and souls. Jeppe took advantage of the few chances they had and are well-deserved winners,” he told Supersport Schools Plus.
The victory brought Jeppe’s haul to 18 titles in the 47-year history of the Aitken Cup. Parktown’s record remains static on 11 titles, tied with King Edward VII.
Jeppe also claimed the u16 honours, winning the Top Eight competition after a shootout against KES.
KES, though, won the Boden Trophy, taking the u15 title after a 2-1 win over Jeppe.
- Parktown Boys’ High aims to build on 2024’s successes - 2025-02-12
- Jeppe water polo team’s achievements recognised - 2025-02-11
- Affies crowned ITEC Grey College Water Polo Tournament champions - 2025-02-03