Selborne snatches a draw in Bloem, Grey High keeps winning
After a tough and challenging start to the season, Selborne College has finally found its mojo and is playing good hockey of late.
On Friday, the boys from East London journeyed up to Bloemfontein to face Grey College in one of the country’s oldest derbie. They came away with a 2-2 draw.
Selborne was brimming with confidence heading into the clash after recording an impressive 5-1 win over Dale College and a 1-0 victory against St Andrew’s College in consecutive weeks.
Grey College side was also confident. They had handed Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) a 4-1 loss in their last outing on home soil.
It was a tightly contested affair. After a goalless first chukka, the visitors opened the scoring through their talisman, Reid Drake.
Drake, who has been a star for the men in black and white this year, continued his searing form from penalty corners and struck with a bottom-left drag flick to put his side ahead.
Coach Dallan Phillips’ Grey team needed to respond quickly, and they found a reply just before halftime. Neilyandro Van Schalkwyk made a penetrating run along the baseline before finding Waldo Konig, who tapped in to equalise.
The home side came out firing after halftime, and Konig struck again, this time with a powerful tomahawk goal to put his side ahead for the first time.
Selborne replied through their captain Gray van Heerden to make it 2-2. Both teams had opportunities to snatch victory, but it remained deadlocked until the final whistle.
“Coming to Bloemfontein is never easy for any schoolboy team,” Van Heerden told SuperSport Schools Plus when reflecting on the game afterwards.
“It was very loud. It’s a hostile environment. The Grey boys are passionate, but it helped that we had some of our boys here as well.”
Van Heerden, who took on the responsibility of captaincy this season, said he was pleased with how his team has come alive in recent weeks after a slow start.
“It has been a great month for us after coming off some difficult tours,” he said.
“I think the presence of our schoolmates supports us, and them being there pumps us up and brings our game to the next level.
“We have more to play for, not just for ourselves but for the badge. We are keen for the next game against Cambridge High in two weeks.”
While Selborne produced a gutsy performance away from home, Grey High School snatched a tightly contested 1-0 victory over St Andrew’s College, in Gqebehra.
Coach Andrew Beynon‘s boys claimed the win courtesy of an Athi Voigt strike that came late in the game.
Stirling High School beat Cambridge High 3-1, with Josh Williams grabbing a brace before Matthew Wiseman sealed the win.
Queen’s College also made a tick in the win column after beating Hudson Park High 4-1. Liso Mtalaliso scored twice and further goals from Liyema Auwa and Tofiro Kagoro completed the drubbing.
In Thornhill, Woodridge College and Outeniqua played to a 1-1 draw.
EASTERN CAPE BOYS’ RESULTS
Woodridge College 1-1 Outeniqua
Queen’s College 4-1 Hudson Park
Stirling High 3-1 Cambridge High School
Grey High School 1-0 St Andrew’s College
Grey College 2-2 Selborne College
Pearson High School 5-0 Framesby
