HOCKEY
Maritzburg College 1st X1 drew with Kearsney 1st X1 2-2
Midweek fixtures are a challenge for most schools after a full day of academic work to then shift their focus to the sports field. Last Wednesday was no different, with Kearsney College travelling for their 1st team fixture against Maritzburg College.
The boys from Pietermaritzburg applied pressure from the first whistle, being rewarded with two early penalty corners, resulting in two drag flicks being picked up out of Kearsney’s net. The visitors seemed out of their depth and flustered by the early onslaught from their opponents.
A new Kearsney team emerged in the second quarter, which looked determined to get back into the game. This change in momentum saw Kearsney enjoy the lions’ share of possession leading to a well-worked goal down the left sideline by Mike de Beer. The scoreboard read 2-1 at the end of the first half.
There was only one team on the field in the second half, with Kearsney dominating proceedings for the remainder of the game, and the Maritzburg boys struggled to adjust to this new Kearsney tempo. A couple of chances flew passed the far post, as Kearsney squandered their efforts to level the scoreline.
The start of the fourth quarter saw much of the same as the third one. A gritty effort of three penalty corners finally bore fruit for Kearsney, as Dylan Wigget found the back of the net with a straight flick. With the score level at 2 all, Kearsney really turned the screw in search of a winner.
A performance of real character defined the visitors’ efforts from a team which was 0-2 down, to 2-2.
But the clock seemed to be on the home team’s side this time around. Maritzburg College would surely have felt relieved that the game ended in a deadlock, whilst Kearsney’s gutsy performance was unlucky not to have ended in a win.
PROVINCIAL HOCKEY SELECTIONS
Kearsney College is delighted that 23 boys and 3 coaches have been selected for the KZN Coastal Boys’ hockey teams. They will participate in various tournaments across South Africa during the mid-year holidays.
Those selected are:
U18A: Zipho Cele, Matthew Mendes De Oliviera, Thomas McKenzie
U18B: Lithabe Shweni, Dylan Wiggett, Sandiswa Yeni, Fritz Rheeder
U18C: Liam Johnson
U16B: Keegan de Jager, Simnene Kubheka, Joel Steyn
U16C: Jonty Wiggett, Matthew Terblanche, Bonga Maphanga, Sipho Majiza
U14A: Aaron Blackburn, Tom du Plessis, Dylan Forbes
U14B: Luke Mendes de Oliviera, Soyama Plaatjie, Luke Treleavan (absent)
U14C: Poloko Lethola, Ngwazi Sithole
Coaching staff selected: Ashley Kemp (KZN U14A head coach), Adin Bennett (KZN U16B assistant coach), Daniella Cairns (KZN U16 strength and conditioning coach)
Sports reports sent by Sue Miles at Working Words
