Kearsney and Michaelhouse share spoils in back-and-forth derby
Kearsney College shared an intense and thrilling goalless draw with Michaelhouse in Botha’s Hill on Saturday.
Schoolboy hockey rarely offers teams a chance at redemption via home and away fixtures. The Kearsney-Michaelhouse tie was one of the few exceptions.
When the two sides met earlier this year, Kearsney created and converted their opportunities in the first quarter to take a 3-0 lead. Michaelhouse, who were playing in front of their home crowd, then seized control of the game and pulled two goals back, but the equaliser evaded them, and they went down 2-3.
When they met for the second time, this time on Mason’s Astro, Michaelhouse was a different outfit. When they first met, ‘House was a team in transition, adapting to their new coach. Since then, they have evolved into a highly competitive team.
“I am so proud of these guys. They have shown character throughout,” Nick Bérichon, the Michaelhouse coach, said after the match.
“We have been through some tough and dark times this season. We started off in a manner we did not enjoy. However, the resilience and character that they have shown has been absolutely immense and I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.”
Not only were they a better team, but they were also better prepared. They knew that Kearsney was going to be highly organised, and they prepared well. One of the best examples of that was how effectively Michaelhouse isolated Kearsney’s outlets.
Like their opponents, Kearsney was also team that has evolved during the course of the term. While almost all of the players who were a part of their victory in the first leg were playing, there were also a few new faces.
Ashley Kemp, who has had one eye on the present and another trained on the future all season long, gave opportunities to youngsters around whom next year’s team will be built.
“There has been a lot of ground gained. But you can’t gain ground and not take a few steps backwards. I definitely think we have handled those situations well. I think the hockey we are playing is enjoyable hockey, both for the players and spectators,” Kemp explained.
Both teams showed why they had performed strongly in the latter part of the season by giving as much to their opponents as their opponents gave to them.
While both teams created moments to break the deadlock, but they were met by a resolute defence that thwarted the attacks.
“We would have a good attack and they would counter. It was 50/50 a lot of the time. I don’t think any team got into the rhythm of the game,” Kemp said.
While there was no winner, nor goals, both sides were rewarded for industrious defensive efforts with clean sheets.
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