Woodridge aims for derby delight vs Pearson while Clarendon hosts DSG

In their final match of the term, Woodridge College travels from Thornhill to Gqeberha with their sights set on victory when they battle Pearson High School on Friday night.
The clash takes place at 18:00 on Pearson’s Top Astroturf.
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Woodridge, after a promising start to the season, will enter the clash as the underdogs, but they have a point to prove.
Coach Herman Kitshoff’s side has built on the pre-season momentum they accrued during the two Belgotex tournaments, namely the Greg Beling, in East London, and the Easter Tournament, in Cape Town. At the Easter tournament, they finished a commendable seventh in the 40-team field.
Since then, they’ve produced quality performances in victories over Union High School (3-1), and Victoria Park (2-1).
The side, has, however, tasted defeat at the hands of York High (1-3), Collegiate Girls’ High (0-1), and Pearson (0-3).
“The season has been very positive so far,” Kitshoff told SuperSport Schools Plus this week.
“We were able to take the preseason momentum into the regular season and have only really had to tweak minor things. I’m blessed with a great squad that catches onto coaching tips quickly and almost instinctively adjusts to different scenarios during games.
“Being a three-term school, the fear is always that the long April holiday will break preseason momentum, but this has, fortunately, not been an issue.”
Coach Kitshoff, as it typical in schools, has had to build new combinations with a young team this year.
He has only five matric learners in the lineup, but, he said, they’ve helped the junior players fit into and adjust to the system.
“It’s a very new team this season,” he explained. “The five matrics in the side have been incredible in leading by example and in creating a team environment that encourages a growth mindset and a joy in playing hockey.
“Our captain, Jemma (Maartens), and vice-captains, Kirsty (Price), and Emilee (Tinderholm) have been extraordinary in this sense, leading on and off the field with humility and dedication.”
Pearson will pose a serious challenge for Woodridge on Friday night.

The Gqeberha side is playing some of its best hockey, and last weekend played to a 3-3 draw away at DSG Makhanda.
The previous week, they defeated Framesby 2-0 in the semi-final of the u18 EP Knockout Cup, and they won both of their encounters on the road vs York High (4-1), and Outeniqua (2-1) in George.
“It’s always exciting to play a top side, like Pearson. They’re superbly coached and conditioned,” Kitshoff said.
“We always prepare well for them, and our girls enjoy the challenge they pose. We have tended to play our best hockey against tough opposition, like Pearson and Collegiate, and will be looking to do the same on Friday.
“We will be focusing on improving on the previous two performances. This is our focus, the systematic upward curve in all areas. We also may have one or two tricks up our sleeve for the derby,” he concluded.
Other matches
DSG Makhanda, after sharing six goals in a thrilling draw with Pearson last weekend, faces Clarendon on Saturday.
The East London school is coming off a nervy 3-2 win over Cambridge High School last weekend, and they’ll need to sharpen up on their attack and defence if they’re to claim victory.
The clash in East London will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools DStv Channel 216.
In another clash in the coastal city, Stirling High School, after a weekend off, hosts Hudson Park on Saturday morning.
Hudson is brimming with confidence after beating Queenstown Girls’ High 2-0 last weekend in Komani.
Westering will also be in action, taking on Kingswood College.
Eastern Cape fixtures
Friday, 31 May
18:00 – Pearson High School vs Woodridge College
Saturday, 1 June
10:00 – Clarendon vs DSG Makhanda
11:00 -Westering High School vs Kingswood College
13:00 – Stirling High School vs Hudson Park
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