Paarl Gim and Rhenish impress, Parel Vallei and Herschel win big

With just over a week remaining before the annual Fairtree Super 12 Hockey Tournament, two of the qualified teams, Paarl Gimnasium and Rhenish Girls’ High, continued their impressive seasons, winning once again to keep their momentum rolling ahead of flying the Western Cape flag in Bloemfontein.
Paarl Gim picked up two wins: the first, a 2-0 defeat of Springfield Convent School in a mid-week clash, and the second a 3-1 home win over Somerset College on Friday night.
Gim entered the week on the back of a key 3-2 win over Rhenish last week.
Meanwhile, Rhenish travelled the short mile to take on their Koch Street rivals, HMS Bloemhof for their annual Winter’s Week clash and won 3-0.
Gim would have been full of confidence ahead of their match against Somerset College after they thumped their visitors 10-1 earlier this month in the final of the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament.
This time, coach Ian Naude’s side started on the back foot, conceding the first goal as the visitors’ influential skipper Julia Brown slotted a penalty corner drag flick early in the first chukka.
With the game being played at a high intensity, Minke Botha equalised for the hosts. Then, a goal from Jone’ de Winnaar put the home side into the lead for the first time.
In the second half. Gim dominated proceedings and were rewarded when Isabella Nel scored from open play to make it 3-1.
Reflecting on the win, coach Naude said he is pleased with his side’s form, with their interschools rivalry clash against Paarl Girls’ High and the Fairtree Super 12 on the horizon.
“I’m excited by how the girls are playing hockey at the moment,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“Each game we play is with the mindset of preparing ourselves for the big interschools clash and the Super 12 coming up.
“We are confident but not overconfident. Interschools has a lot of emotions. It’s a big game. The girls will be playing in front of a big crowd, and there are certain expectations to do well.
“They have shown maturity and professionalism in their approach to games, so we will go into this week with an open mindset. It will be tough – physically, mentally, and emotionally – but we are ready for it,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, coach Chris Gerber’s Rhenish side got back to winning ways at the expense of HMS Bloemhof.
Playing away from home, Rhenish won courtesy of field goals from Ruby Cilliers and Pippa Viljoen and a penalty corner goal from Puck Bakker.
In Cape Town, Herschel Girls School was also among the winners on the weekend, beating Rustenburg Girls’ High 4-1.
Mia Andrew grabbed a brace for the winners, while Gabriella du Toit and Emily van Heerden were also on the score sheet.
Meanwhile, coach Jarred Pitout’s Parel Vallei side won big against Worcester Gimnasium. They ran rampant, knocking in sevens goals without conceding.
Jessica Lavies was influential and scored a hattrick, while Skylar Bougaard struck twice, and Michaela Birch and Jordan Boer chipped in with further goals to complete the drubbing.
RESULTS
Paarl Gimnasium 3-1 Somerset College
Paarl Gimnasium 2-0 Springfield Convent School (mid-week)
Rhenish 3-0 HMS Bloemhof
Herschel 4-1 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Parel Vallei 7-0 Worcester Gimnasium
La Rochelle 0-0 HS Strand
Durbanville 1-0 DF Malan
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