Wynberg stuns Paarl Gim, business as usual for SACS at the Brewery
Four goals, all scored in the second half, secured a tough and hard-fought 4-2 win for Wynberg Boys’ High over Paarl Gimnasium in their first official Western Cape league match after the mid-year holidays in Cape Town on Friday night.
The action, which took place at the “Astro of Dreams”, kicked into life in the third chukka after not many goal scoring opportunities were produced in the first half.
In their last two games before the mid-year break, coach Ben Wiley’s troops were hammered 7-1 by Paul Roos Gimnasium in Stellenbosch before losing out 0-1 against South African College School (SACS).
They were, however, in high spirits after a 4-0 mid-week win against Repton School, who were on tour from the United Kingdom.
However, Gim was brimming with confidence. They’d been crowned the champions of the Cape Town International Hockey Tournament after defeating SACS 2-1 in the final.
Coach Jacques Grobler’s side was brutally efficient in that event and finished unbeaten, which set up an interesting clash with Wynberg, who had a number of players named in SA Schools team at the conclusion of the SASHOC Nationals Weeks.
The first two chukkas of the encounter were evenly contested with little to separate the sides. There were chances here and there, but nothing substantial.
In the third chukka, the tempo of the contest picked up. A dangerous run by Zac Gibbon was ended by a poor tackle, which resulted in a penalty stroke for the hosts. Up stepped Wynberg’s reliable skipper, Jordan Paulsen, and he converted to give his side the lead.
Soon after that goal, Gim responded through their skipper LD Nel, who received the ball in space and quickly fired off a shot to level the scores.
Seth Trantraal restored Wynberg’s lead with six minutes to go in the third quarter, putting them 2-1 in front ahead of the final chukka.
Gibbon, who won gold with the Western Province u18A side at the SASHOC National Week, added his name to the score sheet in the final chukka before Dayyaan Brown netted to make it 4-1, which ensured the win would go Wynberg’s way.
Gim responded with a consolation second goal through a Stephan Pieterse drag flick in the match’s closing minutes.
The loss was the first for Paarl Gimnasium since they suffered a 0-1 defeat against Paul Roos Gimnasium in May.
Speaking to SuperSport Schools Plus after the match, Wynberg coach Ben Wiley said he was pleased with his side’s performance and happy to start the second half of the season on a positive note.
“It’s a huge start to the second half of the season for us,” he reckoned.
“A 4-0 win against Repton (who played in the CTIHT) and this great win against a team who have had the better of us in the last few years is a huge win for us and sets the standard and tone for the rest of the season.”
After the goalless first half, Wiley said he encouraged his team to keep doing what they had been doing during his halftime talk.
“The halftime message was simple; I told the boys we have to be patient and stick to our structure and plan,” he explained.
“Chances were coming, and we knew once one went in, we would score more. We let ourselves down after so much work to concede after scoring but that lapse was temporary, and we were back to structure and composure.”
Other matches
Another southern suburbs’ side that was in action at the Brewery Astroturf in Newlands was SACS, who took on Paarl Boys’ High.
Coach Sam Holmes’ side, as expected by many, ran rampant against Boishaai scoring seven goals, while letting in only one.
Right-wing Matthew Jones scored a brace and further goals by Cohen Williams, Matthew Lassen, Jo Le Roux, and the energetic Zac Redfern sealed a comfortable win for the Cape Town school.
Their attention will sharpen up for their next outing. A scintillating showdown is expected when they do battle with Paul Roos Gimnasium on Wednesday, 24 July.
Meanwhile, Stellenberg handed Outeniqua a 3-1 defeat, Durbanville edged Belville 3-2, Fairmont thumped Settlers 7-0, and Rondebosch drew 1-1 against Parel Vallei at home.
RESULTS
Wynberg Boys’ High 4-2 Paarl Gimnasium
SACS 7-1 Paarl Boys’ High
Rondebosch Boys’ High 1-1 Parel Vallei
Durbanville 3-2 Belville
Stellenberg 3-1 Outeniqua
Reddam Constantia 3-1 DF Malan
Brackenfell 1-1 Melkbosstrand
HTS Drostyd vs HS Langenhoven Riversdal
Farimont 7-0 Settlers
