Three teams maintain unbeaten runs at Saints Fest
After a topsy-turvy opening day, on Wednesday, clouded by inclement weather, teams returned to turf action on Thursday for day two of the Standard Bank St Stithians College Easter Hockey Festival, in Johannesburg.
The playing conditions were much better, and spectators were treated to entertaining hockey throughout the day.
St Stithians College, along with Reddam House Constantia and St Andrew’s College, had impressed on day one, and they carried that momentum into Thursday’s matches.
The hosts, after their thrilling 4-3 win over Hilton College, defeated another KwaZulu-Natal outfit, this time beating Clifton College 3-1.
Aidan Blatch, who scored a hat-trick against Hilton, netted again, while youngster Jason Joiner scored a brace to seal the win.
Reddam, meanwhile, played Pretoria Boys High (PBHS) and Die Hoërskool Menlopark.
The Cape Town school, which has been causing a stir this season, mustered a 1-0 win over Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies) on Wednesday, so went into Thursday’s matches in a confident mood.
They shared an entertaining 1-1 draw with Boys High, courtesy of a brilliant solo goal by Charlie Naylor. They, then, went on to beat Menlopark, 1-0, with Kyle Jones slotting the winner.
St Andrew’s College, from Makhanda, is another side that’s been enjoying a good season but flying under the radar.
They arrived at Saints having played a handful of fixtures at the Synsport Tony Godding Festival in East London last month.
On Wednesday, they recorded a 1-0 victory over St Benedict’s College but drew 1-1 with Affies on Thursday morning. Then, facing Affies’ city rivals, Pretoria Boys High, they snatched a last-gasp 1-0 win, scoring with under a minute to play.
Hilton College, after their entertaining outing against St Stithians on Wednesday night, bounced back with a 4-0 defeat of St David’s Marist Inanda. They were, however, unable to replicate that form in their night game against Menlopark, having to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Affies, after their draw with St Andrew’s College, claimed a 2-1 win over Bennies, while St David’s Marist Inanda edged out Clifton College 2-1.
The teams take a break on Good Friday and return to conclude the action on Saturday.
The action will be LIVE on SuperSport Schools.
RESULTS
Pretoria Boys High 1-1 Reddam House Constantia
St Benedict’s College 3-0 St Stithians Boys’ College Festival Team
Hilton College 4-0 St David’s Marist Inanda
St Andrew’s College 1-1 Affies
St Stithians Boys’ College 3-1 Clifton College
Reddam House 1-0 Menlopark
Affies 2-1 St Benedict’s College
St Andrew’s College 1-0 Pretoria Boys’ High
St David’s Marist Inanda 2-1 Clifton College
Hilton College 2-2 Menlopark
