Rejuvenated Parktown Boys’ High celebrates a fulfilling season
The Parktown Boys’ High School 1st XI, under the coaching of Kyle Reddy, aided by his assistant coach Tristan Le Forestier, recently completed a resurgent season, which has raised optimism about the school’s hockey programme.
They claimed some good wins along the way, tasted some defeats, too, but they always battled hard, sometimes rescuing seemingly lost causes to grab a draw.
In their last home fixture, they trashed Northcliff 6-1, with the team’s captain Ryan Venter leading by example and scoring a hattrick. Job done, he stated simply: “I think I played well. I did what I needed to do.”
After that game, they visited Garsfontein and returned home with an impressive 4-1 win over the Hibbert Shield semi-finalists, thanks to a double from Khanyisa Kraai and further goals by Zeyad Davids and Wade Jacobs.
The clearest evidence of Parktown’s upturn in performances and results came in the Aitken Cup, where they reached the final for a first time since 2010. A late goal earned Jeppe a 2-0 win over Parktown in the final, but it was clear the team was back in the conversation as one of the top sides in Gauteng.
Another highlight was a victory in May over a strong St Benedict’s side. Parktown edged a five-goal thriller 3-2, with Ryan Venter, Miles Makudo and Robert Bailey scoring. What made that win especially memorable was the achievement of Venter and Nicholas Townsend, who both earned their 100th caps in the match.
The team’s gritty character was on display in a June clash with St David’s Marist Inanda. After trailing 0-2, Parktown clawed their way back to come away with a 2-2 draw.
It took a never-say-die attitude to grab a share of the spoils. With only five minutes to go, Robert Bailey pulled one back with a penalty stroke. Then, with two minutes left, captain Ryan Venter converted a penalty corner to complete the comeback.
Reflecting on his team’s achievements, Reddy said: “It was a long and challenging 34-game season. The boys saw immense growth both on and off the field.
“I think one of the highlights was our Aitken run. Although it ended in disappointment, it was a fantastic and special team effort,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus.
Parktown went down 1-3 to Jeppe in their last match of the season. That left their record as 19 wins, nine losses, and six draws, with 103 goals scored and 63 conceded.
Reddy commented: “It’s a pity to end on a loss but Jeppe took the chances that fell to them, and we, unfortunately, struggled to convert, albeit having more opportunities on goal than them.
“I’m incredibly proud of this group of boys. Thirteen of them are in matric, so it’s a proud moment to see them finish off their schooling hockey careers. I have every confidence that they are ready if they go on to play hockey after school at a high performance or social level.”
PARKTOWN SEASON RESULTS
Pre-season
Parktown 3-3 St Alban’s College
Parktown 6-3 Old Boys
Parktown 12-0 CBC Boksburg
Founders Festival
Parktown 0-5 Paul Roos
Parktown 1-7 SACS
Parktown 2-1 Queen’s College
Parktown 0-4 Kearsney College
Parktown 7-1 Dale College
KES Easter Festival
Parktown 4-1 Eldoraigne
Parktown 1-1 Grey College
Parktown 1-3 Selborne College
Parktown 0-3 Maritzburg College
Parktown 2-1 St Charles College
Gauteng Fixtures
Parktown 3-1 Northcliff
Parktown 2-2 KES
Parktown 4-0 Linden
Parktown 12-0 Springs Boys’ high
Parktown 0-3 Pretoria Boys High
Parktown 1-1 Glenwood
Parktown 4-1 Helpmekaar
Parktown 3-5 St Stithians College
Aitken Cup
Parktown 6-0 Rand Park High
Parktown 2-2 St Stithians College
Parktown 2-1 Helpmekaar
Parktown 2-1 St David’s Marist Inanda
Parktown 5-3 St John’s College
Parktown 0-2 Jeppe
Gauteng Fixtures
Parktown 3-2 St Benedict’s College
Parktown 2-2 St David’s Marist Inanda
Parktown 3-2 Waterkloof
Parktown 2-0 Krugersdorp High
Parktown 6-1 Northcliff
Parktown 4-1 Garsfontein
Parktown 1-3 Jeppe
Results Summary
Played: 34, Won: 19, Drew: 6, Lost: 9, GF: 103, GA: 63
