Rhenish, Paarl Girls’ and Paarl Gim dominate in the Western Cape
Rhenish Girls’ High further asserted themselves as one of the most dangerous teams in the country this season when they overwhelmed Fairmont High School 10-0 in one of the most highly anticipated of the weekend’s girls’ matches in the Western Cape.
The Stellenbosch-based side headed into the game with confidence after an impressive All Girls Festival showing in Potchefstroom earlier this month.
There, coach Chris Gerber’s troops finished in second spot, going down 2-3 in a penalty shootout against Pretoria’s Afrikaanse Hoër Meisieskool after the teams had finished regulation time in the final level at 0-0.
Before the All Girls Festival, Rhenish had only tasted defeat once, and it was a 0-1 loss, at the hands of Paarl Gimnasium during the St Mary’s Waverley Hockey Festival last month.
Despite those setbacks, Rhenish has been superb this season and, at times, has looked unplayable, scoring goals with ease while remaining rock-solid at the back.
Before their Friday night clash, they took on Herschel Girls School in a mid-week encounter and won 2-0.
Against Fairmont, they came up against an unpredictable side that’s been searching for consistency in 2024.
In their two fixtures preceding the Rhenish game, coach Jarryd Curran‘s side defeated Stellenbosch 5-0 and drew 0-0 with DF Malan.
They were, however, blown away by Rhenish. Ruby Cilliers opened the scoring with a field goal early in the match and the floodgates opened up after that strike. The Stellenbosch girls were superb under the lights.
Sarah-Ellen Groenewald then netted twice, firstly with a drag flick from a PC, which was followed by a field goal. Grace Hobbs added three of her own, Leah du Plessis bagged a double, and Montana de Kock and Nicola van der Merwe added further goals as Rhenish posted an emphatic 10-0 win.
Rhenish remains unbeaten in Western Cape competition this season, and it’ll take a special effort to dent that record.
In another highly anticipated clash on Friday, Paarl Girls’ High was victorious against La Rochelle.
Girls’ High, just like Rhenish, participated in the All Girls Festival. They finished fourth in Potchefstroom, which was the second best of the Western Cape sides at the event.
Last week, they took on Somerset College, and shared a 1-1 draw, with Halle Williams finding the back of the net in that game.
They were a different side against La Rochelle. Clinical in front of goal, they netted 10 goals, while keeping a clean sheet.
Lisa Craven scored a hattrick, Halle Williams contributed a brace, and Charlotte Louw, Nina Cilliers, Cassie Fairbairn, Rouxnè Pentz, and Nika Pretorius each scored once.
On Saturday, Paarl Gimnasium defeated HMS Bloemhof 2-0 at home with Anya Swanepoel, and Tanya Pieterse grabbing the goals for Gim.
RESULTS
Worcester Gimnasium 1-2 Strand
Paarl Girls’ High 10-0 La Rochelle
Parel Vallei 1-0 Somerset College
Rustenburg Girls’ High 0-2 Springfield Convent School
Rhenish Girls’ High 10-0 Fairmont High School
Herschel Girls School 1-0 Stellenberg High
Melkbosstrand 1-2 Brackenfell
Paarl Gimnasium 2-0 HMS Bloemhof
