Pearson proves too good for Clarendon, Hudson and Stirling impress
The Pearson High School girls’ first-team hockey side made a massive statement on Friday night when they defeated Clarendon High School for Girls 8-2, in East London.
The girls in green and black made the trip from Gqeberha with their sights set on continuing their impressive start to the 2025 season.
For Clarendon, it was about improving and trying to build momentum after a rather challenging couple of outings for coach Luaan Sedras‘s outfit.
Both sides had recently been in action at the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival, where Pearson finished 11th and Clarendon placed 18th in the 32-team field.
Despite Clarendon’s home-ground advantage, Pearson was favoured on Friday night, and they made their presence felt from the first whistle.
They were outstanding in front of the goal, controlled the midfield well, and punished the hosts every time they entered the circle, it seemed.
After three chukkas, the girls from Gqeberha had stacked up a whopping five goals and kept the hosts at bay on the other end of the field.
They complete the drubbing in the final chukka, scoring three times to secure a big win. It was a special victory for coach Anton Peltenburg‘s side, not just because of the scoreline but because of the style in which they achieved it.
The goals were scored by eight different players – Chanelle Venter, Isabella Costa Gamaleri, Annemi De Villiers, Becci Diedericks, Lisa De Villiers, Hanna Potgieter, Kiyara Constable, and Tanna Cuff – which reflected a well-orchestrated team performance.
Pearson will have a week off next weekend to regroup and rest before they return to action in a derby against Outeniqua.
In other Eastern Cape matches, Hudson Park High School won an East London derby against Cambridge High, scoring a 2-0 win.
Erin Batting, who has been on top form early in the season, found the back of the net before forward Busiwe Mayekiso doubled her team’s tally.
Hudson’s next assignment is a mid-week match against Lilyfontein School.
Elsewhere, Stirling High defeated Queenstown Girls’ High 2-1 in Komani, while York High thumped Alexander Road 5-0 in Gqeberha.
RESULTS
Pearson High 8-2 Clarendon
York High 5-0 Alexander High
Hudson Park 2-0 Cambridge High
Stirling High 2-1 Queenstown Girls’ High
