Mvimbi content despite a setback at St Alban’s
St Benedict’s College coach Owen Mvimbi believes his charges played a good game despite going down to St Alban’s College, in Pretoria, on Friday evening.
As anticipated and hoped for, it was a thrilling clash, with both sides creating numerous chances.
Eventually, Bennies‘ efforts were rewarded when they struck in the third minute of the third chukka from a penalty corner.
Heading into the final chukka, St Benedict’s still led, but St Alban’s came out guns blazing and levelled from the same set piece with 10 minutes to go.
Exactly five minutes later, the home side executed another penalty corner with precision to take the lead. They held onto it until the end.
“My boys played well, but it was one of those days, one of those games, where we dominate and the other team defends well. They did well to keep us out and they took their chances,” Mvimbi told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We had the chances to win the game, but we did not take them. They defended and they took their chances perfectly. That’s sport. I think both teams have learned a lot from it.
“I’m proud of my boys, and congratulations to St Alban’s, they played very well.”
In another Friday evening clash, Hoërskool Waterkloof snatched a nail-biting victory over their great rivals, Hoërskool Menlopark.
The momentum swung back and forth, but it was Klofies who scored first, and they ended up shading it 3-2.
Meanwhile, Pretoria Boys High and St John’s College settled for a 2-2 draw on Saturday.
It was a closely contested game, but St John’s got off to a flyer by scoring the opener in the first minute, thanks to Daniel Chemaly. However, their celebration was short-lived as Pretoria Boys High equalised 30 seconds’ later.
They turned at 1-1, but the home side edged ahead in the third chukka before Andrew Turck struck back for St John’s.
After the contest ended 2-2, St John’s coach Gilbert De Villiers reflected on the match: “I thought we had a few more chances than they did, but we weren’t as clinical. But, that said, 2-2 is probably a fair reflection of the game.”
He reserved special praise for goalkeeper Kamogelo Thobejane, who pulled off some fine saves, including one that De Villiers termed “world-class”, towards the end.
Results
St Alban’s College 2-1 St Benedict’s College
Hoërskool Waterkloof 3-2 Hoërskool Garsfontein
Pretoria Boys High 2-2 St John’s College
