Exciting Clashes and Stunning Victories on Day 2 of the Kearsney Hockey5s Powered by Belgotex Sport.
The eagerly awaited Day 2 of the Kearsney College Hockey5s, powered by Belgotex Sport, wrapped up in thrilling fashion. Saturday morning was all about positioning for the playoffs, as teams battled fiercely to secure the best possible outcomes.
Girls’ Tournament
St. Mary’s Kloof completed a flawless group stage, securing their place in the final with two more wins on Saturday. Their five matches saw them score 25 goals and concede just nine, solidifying their status as tournament favorites.
Maris Stella put up a strong fight, earning two excellent wins on Saturday against Thomas More and, unexpectedly, against Danville. With 9 points and a +1 goal difference, they matched Danville’s points tally but fell short on goal difference, as Danville finished with a +13 margin to advance to the final as underdogs.
Earlier, St. Mary’s had comfortably defeated Danville during their perfect run to the final. However, the final was a much closer contest. Danville struck first with a sharp reaction goal before halftime, stirring excitement among the spectators. St. Mary’s equalized with a long-range effort that deflected off the backboard. With neither team able to find a winner, the match headed to a sudden death shootout. St. Mary’s missed their shot, and Danville capitalized on the opportunity, securing a stunning victory and the championship title.
Final Standings – Girls
- Danville
- Mary’s
- Maris Stella
- Ashton
- Curro
- Thomas More
Boys’ Tournament
In the boys’ tournament, Garsfontein emerged as clear favorites after a stellar Day 1, having won all five of their matches. They secured their spot in the final early on Day 2 with a convincing 3-0 win over Clifton, followed by a draw and a shootout victory over Michaelhouse, solidifying their position as the team to beat.
Michaelhouse made a late push for the final with impressive wins over Hilton and Ashton, but shootout losses to Clifton and Garsfontein left them just one point short. Clifton, too, saw their hopes dashed by Garsfontein, forcing them to settle for a place in the bronze medal match.
Hilton, however, managed to clinch the other spot in the final by a narrow margin. After a thrilling 3-2 victory over hosts Kearsney, they lost to Michaelhouse but knew that a win against Westville Boys in the final group game would see them through. Hilton rose to the occasion, securing a 4-1 win to book their place in the final.
The final between Garsfontein and Hilton promised to be a fierce encounter, especially after their intense 3-2 battle in the pool stage. The first half lived up to expectations, with neither team managing to score. However, Hilton came alive in the second half, showcasing individual brilliance with instinctive and impressive goals. The standout was a brilliant steal and reverse stick strike that sealed the deal. Garsfontein, undefeated until then, suffered their first loss in the gold medal game.
Final Standings – Boys
- Hilton
- Garsfontein
- Clifton
- Michaelhouse
- Kearsney College
- Westville Boys
- Alban’s
- Ashton