Western Province u13s dominate to retain SASHOC National Week title
Domination, from precision, accuracy, and top-drawer finishing were features of the Western Province u13A boys’ recent SASHOC National Week campaign in Bloemfontein.
For a second year running, the Capetonians captured gold after finishing the week atop Pool A on the University of Free State’s Astroturf.
They went into the competition eager to emulate their u18A Boys team, which had retained the national title by beating Boland 3-2.
The team was coached by Clinton Winn, assisted by Josh Dolley, and Nigel Rank managed the side.
Under their leadership, WP was in top shape and in imperious form during the pool stages where they faced Eden, Eastern Province, Boland, Southern Gauteng, Border, Northern Gauteng, and KZN Coastal for the title.
Each encounter was crucial for the defending champions because the outcome of the tournament would be based solely on where they finished in the pool. There was no knockout stage to follow. It was all about winning, points, and goals scored and conceded.
Province got their challenge off to a flyer, thumping Eden 6-0, with captain Nathan Phillips scoring a sensational five times, while Ayabonga Maqgaza completed the drubbing. Then, they edged out a tough KZN Coastal outfit 1-0 later on the opening day.
On day two, they beat Eastern Province 2-1 before running rampant against Northern Gauteng and winning 4-0.
By then, Province had already secured the maximum 12 points and only three matches remained.
After going down 0-1 in the first half against Border in their fifth game, it was that man, Phillips, who slotted a brace to see his side to a 2-1 win.
The captain wasn’t yet done. Against Boland, he scored an impressive hattrick to lead his side to a 3-1 win. That left only one more match remaining, against Southern Gauteng, always one of the title contenders.
All Province needed in that game was a draw, but Luke Presence‘s strike sealed a 1-0 victory as the Western Cape boys finished their campaign with a perfect seven wins from seven matches.
“To win an u13 Hockey IPT back-to-back is very tricky because you have a brand-new team every year,” coach Winn told SuperSport Schools Plus after their final match. “You get seven weeks to create a united team from 14 individuals.
“Luckily, we had the support of the Western Province Primary Schools’ Chairperson, who was at the tournament. The parents were amazing and gave us anything we asked for, like extra water, fruit, and medical supplies.
Winn also attributed the title success to his side’s mental toughness.
“The boys delivered consistent performances. They executed our game plan and focused on the technical fundamentals.
“The coaching staff (Nigel Rank and Josh Dolley) prepared the players well with video analysis and sports psychology.
“I am extremely proud of our boys as it was a physically and mentally tough tournament, but their mental toughness was the key factor to our success,” he concluded.
Western Province also ended the tournament as the top goal scorers, with 19 goals. Playmaker and skipper Nathan Phillips contributed a whopping 13 of those goals and finished as the event’s top goal scorer.
Province’s u13 girls were also on the money during the week, winning gold in the girls’ section.
They also topped their pool, although they did lose 0-1 to KZN Coastal. However, they did just enough to claim the title and make a big jump from last year’s fifth-place finish.
Some of their standout players were Casey Laver, Tiffany Geldenhuys and captain Lila Pienaar.
The hosts, Southern Free State, were the runners-up, while third went to KZN Coastal.
Final Standings: Boys’ u13
Western Province
Eden
Eastern Province
Southern Gauteng
Boland
Border
KZN Coastal
Northern Gauteng
Final Standings: Girls’ u13
Western Province
Southern Free State
KZN Coastal
Southern Gauteng
KZN Inland
Border
Boland
Eastern Province
