Parel Vallei, Wynberg, and Paarl Gim hunt big road wins
The mid-year exams are rapidly coming into view, but there is no shortage of hockey action on the first weekend of June.
While some schools have taken a step back, it will be business as usual in the Western Cape with mouthwatering fixtures lined up for the weekend.
All of the top teams will be in action on Friday night, and the matches will be broadcast LIVE on the SuperSport Schools App.
One of the most intriguing games is a showdown between Paarl Boys’ High and Parel Vallei High School (PV), in Paarl.
They have, arguably, the most improved hockey programmes in the province, and both have played entertaining and winning hockey this season.
In their last outing, Paarl Boys’ High defeated Stellenberg High 3-1, while Parel Vallei claimed a hard-fought 3-2 win over Paarl Gimnasium in Somerset West.
It was an outstanding performance from coach Michael van Rensburg‘s side, who frustrated Gim and pounced on their opportunities in front of goal.
After that clash, PV captain JP van der Walt said: “We knew the game would be in the balance. We prepared well for Paarl Gim, and we focused on implementing what our coach wanted us to focus on, and we came out on top.”
Commenting on the strength of the school’s hockey programme, the skipper explained: “At Parel Vallei, we focus on building the person first, then the player.
“This is a major part of our hockey programme. We know we can trust each other and will always keep fighting for one another. We trust our coach and know if we follow the plan, we will succeed.”
There’s no doubt PV will head into the clash with their tails up, but it won’t be easy against a Paarl Boys’ High side that has found its feet this season.
While that clash in Paarl will be in the spotlight, Cape Town will host two massive games.
Bishops Diocesan College faces Paarl Gimnasium in the Mother City, while Wynberg makes the short trip to face Rondebosch Boys’ High in a southern suburbs’ derby.
Bishops and Gim both registered wins last weekend when coach Ryan Julius’s troops beat Reddam House Constantia 5-4 while Gim thumped HTS Drostdy 5-0.
It has been a season of mixed fortunes for Bishops, but facing Paarl Gim on their iconic Woodlands AstroTurf is a fantastic opportunity to grab a signature win.
Wynberg, meanwhile, will be seeking a bounce-back performance after being held to a 3-3 draw by Stellenberg a week ago.
Coach Ben Wiley’s boys would’ve been disappointed with that result. They led 3-1 before allowing Stellies to come back and snatch a share of the spoils.
They face a dangerous Rondebosch side that defeated DF Malan 2-1 last week.
Paul Roos Gimnasium, meanwhile, welcomes Stellenberg to the Maties AstroTurf, in Stellenbosch.
South African College High School (SACS) hosts Reddam Constantia at the Brewery AstroTurf, and DF Malan takes on Durbanville.
WESTERN CAPE BOYS’ FIXTURES
Friday, 6 June
19:00 – Paul Roos Gimnasium vs Stellenberg High
19:00 – Bishops vs Paarl Gimnasium
19:10 – Rondebosch Boys’ High vs Wynberg Boys’ High
19:15 – SACS vs Reddam House Constantia
19:15 – Paarl Boys’ High vs Parel Vallei
19:45 – DF Malan vs Durbanville
