WP A and Southern Gauteng A wins set up key Wednesday showdown
The Western Province (WP) and Southern Gauteng u18A teams maintained their unbeaten runs on Tuesday, the second day of the SASHOC National Week, at Maritzburg College, in Pietermaritzburg.
After a blistering opening day during which both sides registered ticks in the Pool A win column, maintaining their intensity and collecting three more points was the key item on their agendas on day two.
On Monday, WP weren’t at their best, but they still pulled off a 3-0 win over Boland B, while Southern Gauteng sneaked a 1-0 win over Eastern Province (EP).
Those victories left both sides with three points on the log overnight and they headed to the St Anne’s DSG lower AstroTurf, in Hilton, determined to bolster that points’ haul.
Province took on EP, who had suffered that loss to Southerns and also played to a goalless draw with KZN Inland A on Monday.
The boys from the Eastern Cape made a blistering start and opened the scoring in the sixth minute through their skipper, Athi Voigt.
That, however, woke up Province and they responded with goals in the ninth and 14th minutes through Ethan Daniels and Zachary Gibbon.
After the break, Province wrenched control of the contest from EP, and they were emphatic in their execution.
They allowed their opponents no leeway and played with vigour and flair to show why they’re one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Litha Kraai and Jo le Roux scored twice each before Mohlodi Maseko and Aidan Hughes completed the 8-1 drubbing in the final chukka.
While Western Province dominated Eastern Province, it was a tougher challenge for Southern Gauteng against KZN Inland A.
Inland A had played their double-header on day one, beating KZN Coastal B 2-0 before a goalless draw with Eastern Province in their second outing.
A win for either side on day two would position them well and open up a clear path to qualify for the semi-finals.
Gauteng was up for the task and found the back of the net in the first half through Juan Martin.
Martin, who is a regular drag flicker at his school, Jeppe High School for Boys, wasn’t tasked with drag flicking responsibilities on day one but he was called upon against Inland. He didn’t disappoint.
Gauteng doubled their tally in the third chukka when Aidan Blatch scored a brilliant field goal to take the match away from their opponents.
It was a much better team performance from the Southerns boys than their somewhat tepid showing on day one, and they gelled well as a unit and bossed the midfield battle. They did, however, have to rely on goalkeeper Khotso Mabona to pull off some fine saves to keep a clean sheet.
Nevertheless, they held on for a 2-0 win and will face Western Province A in a key showdown on day three at 08:55 high in confidence.
In another Pool A clash, Boland B picked up their first win of the tournament when they defeated KZN Coastal B 2-1.
Ryan van der Merwe and Noah Hendricks were the goal scorers for Boland, while Murray Wicks replied for the Coastal outfit.
Day 2 | Results and scorers
Pool A
Southern Gauteng A 2: Aiden Blatch, Juan Martin. KZN Inland A 0.
Western Province A 8: Jo le Roux (2), Litha Kraai (2), Ethan Daniels, Zachary Gibbon, Mohlodi Maseko, Aidan Hughes. Eastern Province A 1: Athi Voigt.
Boland B 2: Ryan van der Merwe, Noah Hendricks. KZN Coastal B 1: Murray Wicks.
Pool B
Northern Gauteng A 3: Luken Brunette (3). Boland A 1: Seth Paterson.
Western Province B 5: Daniel Graser (2), Cameron Cordeiro, Charlie Naylor, Ryan Groenewald. Southern Gauteng B 0.
Southern Free State A 3: Nkhahle Sematlane (2), Waldo Koning. KZN Coastal A 3: Keegan de Jager (2), Bonga Maphanga.
Boland A 1: Christo Swanepoel. Southern Gauteng B 0.
Western Province B 2: Jacques van Dyk, Ryan Groenewald. KZN Coastal A 1: Keegan de Jager.
CLICK HERE TO SEE DAY 1 RESULTS
DAY 3 FIXTURES
Pool A @ Maritzburg College
07:30 – KZN Inland A vs Boland B
08:55 – Western Province A vs Southern Gauteng A
10:20 – KZN Coastal B vs Eastern Province A
16:00 – Southern Gauteng A vs Boland B
17:25 – Western Province A vs KZN Coastal B
Pool B @ St Anne’s DSG
11:45 – Southern Free State vs Western Province B
13:10 – Northern Gauteng A vs Southern Gauteng B
14:35 – Boland A vs KZN Coastal A
