Rondebosch and Parel Vallei win big and SACS shows class
A total of 35 goals were scored across seven matches in the Western Cape this past weekend.
While several sides – including Bishops and Paul Roos Gimnasium – had byes, the 14 teams in action produced entertaining hockey.
The action kicked off on Friday night with Rondebosch Boys’ High travelling to the Astro of Dreams to face their southern suburbs’ rivals, Wynberg Boys’ High.
‘Bosch went into the clash after returning from The Netherlands, where they participated in the European Hockey Club Organisation (EHCO) Trophy Tournament.
After a third-place finish, competing against leading clubs, they were confident, and it showed in their game.
They claimed a comfortable 4-1 victory, courtesy of goals by Daniel Fisher, Martin Barnard, Tate de Villiers, and Ben Hartman.
It was a performance that impressed head coach Waseem Domingo.
“I felt the boys did well despite returning from The Netherlands on Wednesday,” he told SuperSport Schools Plus. “They were dominant in possession, and I feel that the main reason for winning was down to simple, free-flowing hockey.
“Our goal is to always put the team first, and I think that in itself prioritises our overall focus as opposed to the need for individual flash.
“It was a good start to the season, and Wynberg are formidable opponents, so a win was fantastic.”
Rondebosch next faces Fairmont High in a league clash on Friday.
Another side that impressed was Parel Vallei (PV), who beat Paarl Boys’ High 4-1.
Coach Michael van Rensburg‘s troops showed glimpses of their potential at the Belgotex Sport Coastal Cup last month. It didn’t all go their way against Boishaai, though, but they got the job done.
It was the usual suspects – Luka Meets, Stephan Malan, Nicolas Havinga, and Luca Jordaan – who found the back of the net.
“We were happy to come away with the win, but not happy with our performance,” Van Rensburg said. “Paarl Boys’ did well to disrupt our plans, and credit must go to them.
“Our circle entries to outcomes are not where we would like them to be.”
PV will next face DF Akademie before heading to Gqeberha for the Hibbert Shield later this month.
“There are a couple of details at which we want to get better going into the next couple of weeks, especially with the Hibbert Shield looming,” Van Rensburg said.
“We need to improve our counter-defence and deep defensive disciplines and be better in terms of our circle entry outcomes. These specifics will form a core part of our preparation in the coming weeks.”
In other matches, South African College High School (SACS) picked up a 6-0 win against Durbanville.
Captain Litha Kraai scored a brace, as did Troy Loots. Mohlodi Maseko and Jake Hufkie completed the drubbing.
Fairmont High edged out the Langa Hockey Club 2-1, thanks to strikes by Tyler Morilly and Ryan Groenewald.
Meanwhile, DF Akademie and Curro Durbanville played to a 3-3 draw.
On Saturday, SACS returned to the Brewery AstroTurf for a high-profile meeting with Grey High and did just enough to sneak a 3-1 win late in the game.
Grey bounced back in style on Sunday and defeated Reddam House Constantia 6-0 to end their Cape Town sojourn on a high note.
RESULTS
DF Akademie 3-3 Curro Durbanville
Rondebosch 4-1 Wynberg
Fairmont 2-1 Langa
SACS 3-1 Grey High
SACS 6-0 Durbanville
Parel Vallei 4-1 Paarl Boys High
Grey High 6-0 Reddam House Constantia
