Wynberg Boys’ High crowned Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament champs
Following four days of captivating football, a new champion was crowned at the Nedbank Grey College Soccer Tournament, with Wynberg Boys’ High hoisting the trophy.
The final was a tactical affair, with neither Wynberg nor Vaal High able to find a way through their opponent’s defences. With the score deadlocked at 0-0 after regulation time, the result depended on a penalty shootout.
The Capetonians, then. kept their cool, slotting three spot kicks to Vaal High’s one to secure the title.
They fell at the final hurdle, but Vaal High had plenty of reasons to feel proud about their performances. They were a late inclusion in Group A but took it in their stride and surprised with an outstanding run all the way through to the title game.
The Vereeniging school stood firm against tough opponents and teams of pedigree, including Glenwood High, St David’s Marist Inanda, Navalsig High, Curro Thatchfield, and Victoria Park High.
They finished second in Group A, behind Navalsig, and from that point onward they kept rolling, picking up victory after victory. Eventually, though, their fairytale run ended in the final.
All credit to Cape Town’s Wynberg. They had to adjust their game to deal with the challenges of playing football on hard pitches at a high altitude and they dealt with that test superbly.
For the previous two years, the title had belonged to St Stithians College and the Johannesburg side came close to pulling off an incredible three-peat, losing out in the semi-finals to Wynberg on penalties. Their final four clash had ended 1-1 before Wynberg advanced 4-2 from the spot.
That left Saints to tackle the hosts, Grey College, in the bronze medal playoff. Grey had also missed out on the final after a penalty shootout. Their game against Vaal High finished 1-1 before Vaal progressed 5-4 on spot kicks.
With medals on the line, Grey College was on their game and dominated, scoring a 3-0 win. It was a fantastic achievement for the hosts, who remain one of the country’s most competitive outfits.
Heading into the tournament, they were crowned the champions of the Magnificent Wednesday Regional Football League in September after a 3-0 win over Hodisa Technical Secondary. Grey College also showcased their talent in the inaugural Curro Halala Cup, where they picked up another bronze medal after a win over Navalsig High.
Victory in the Plate went to Kimberley Boys’ High. They took on Pretoria Boys High in the final, which, once again, was decided only after a penalty shootout. It was 0-0 at the end of regulation time, but Kimberley Boys High triumphed 4-2 from the spot.
Third place in the Plate competition was decided by a showdown between the Gauteng rivals, Parktown Boys’ High and St David’s. In an all too familiar occurence, it was 0-0 before a penalty shootout went Parktown’s way by a 5-4 margin.
Matters were straightforward in the Bowl final, where Bloemfontein South High recorded a comfortable 3-0 win over Strelitzia High.
Glenwood High faced King Edward VII School (KES) for third place in the Bowl, with the Durban school picking up a 2-1 win.
RESULTS
Tuesday, 4 October
23/24
St Andrew’s School 2-0 Witbank
21/22
Victoria Park High 4-0 DHS
19/20
Glenwood 2-1 KES
17/18, Bowl Final
Bloemfontein South High 3-0 Strelitzia High
15/16
Curro Thatchifeld 5-1 Empangeni High
13/14
Jeppe (3) 1-1 (2) Brebner High
11/12
Parktown Boys’ High (5) 0-0 (4) St David’s
9/10, Plate Final
Kimberley Boys’ High (4) 0-0 (2) Pretoria Boys High
7/8
Norkem Park High (4) 0-0 (3) Westville Boys’ High
5/6
Hodisa Technical High 2-1 Navalasig High
3/4, Bronze Playoff
Grey College 3-0 St Stithians College
1/2, Cup Final
Wynberg Boys’ High (3) 0-0 (1) Vaal High School
