MARITZBURG COLLEGE
MTN PMB FA Cup soccer outcome impossible to predict
The scene is set for the 8th annual MTN PMB High Schools Football Association Cup, to be held at Howick High from Friday to Sunday this weekend and one can argue with conviction that it’s anyone’s ballgame.
Having watched a number of the teams this year it is a lottery as to who emerge with the trophy.
The strength of the teams in Pietermaritzburg (PMB) and KZN midlands boys’ high school football is so evenly-matched this year.
The unpredictable nature of the outcomes this season means that it’s impossibly hard to determine with any semblance of accuracy, who the finalists will be, come the aftermath of the 3pm trophy match on the Howick High School turf on Sunday.
Manchester City trialist Costi Christodoulou will be going for an unprecedented third consecutive MTN PMB FA Cup title after winning with the Hilton College teams of 2017 (Costi in grade 9) and 2018 (Costi in grade 10).
What is absolutely dead-certain as we draw close to Friday afternoon’s opening exchanges is that there are 20 schoolboy first teams with gold medals on their mind and nothing else.
Any of the usual big guns could win it, as they have all beaten each other over the course of the season. The tournament kicks off at 1pm on Friday, with the boys’ final scheduled for 3pm on Sunday.
Hilton College are the two-time defending champions and are looking to become the first side to win the trophy three times – 2017 winners, 2018 winners, 2019 winners.
They beat Maritzburg College in an excruciating penalty shootout in last year’s final and the boys of the RedBlackWhite will be pushing to go one better.
It has certainly been a trophy season for the Maritzburg College lads, having already picked up the PMB A League and the Primo League titles in 2019.
Leaky defences don’t make for winning teams. St Charles College dad John Smithers has got your back.
St Charles College – the most dangerous of sides – were one of last year’s semi-finalists.
Saints bowed out to Hilton in yet another agonising penalty shootout, penalties that were so masterfully managed by ace Hilton College keeper Costi Christodoulou, last year’s SA U17 soccer captain and Manchester City trialist.
Haythorne made up the 2018 semi-final quartet. And like the French rugby team, one never knows which Haythorne brand of football will turn up on the day – it can be inspirational stuff that feeds off the moment, or it can be rather disappointing.
Of some of the other teams, Carter are never to be trifled with in Cup football while I personally have a great deal of time for the Michaelhouse team.
Terrific strikers, a solid pair of central defenders, intelligent distributors of the ball – and the most committed of captains in goalkeeper Noah Stanger, the Men of House are, in my opinion, in with a very real chance to wrest the trophy away from their Hilton rivals.
Maritzburg College’s experienced goalkeeperThandolwethu Zondi has been in match-winning form this year. Photo Justin Waldman
Alex have had a rather disappointing season to date and will no doubt be thirsting to prove a point, as will first-time entrants Eastwood, who won the PMB B League this year and will want to show that they thoroughly deserve their promotion to The Big Show.
Last year was my first taste of MTN PMB FA Cup football and it was a fabulous eye-opener.
The Howick High School set-up is great and the organisation of what is an extremely time-pressured schedule by Uraisha Haswell and her team is second to none.
This weekend Hilton College are going for their third MTN PMB FA Cup soccer title in a row. Here are the recollections of a Hilton dad whose son was in this 2017 Hilton team. https://kzn10.com/pmb-fa-cup-2017-the-effect-it-had-on-a-rugby-cricket-dad/
From humble beginnings, this tournament has become the most popular and most intensely-fought-for accolade in the Pietermaritzburg and KZN midlands region.
This year, there are a total of 36 teams participating: the 20 boys’ teams, as mentioned earlier, and 16 girls’ teams.
In the girls section, Edendale Technical College have ruled the roost of late and are two-time defending champs but they were pushed all the way in last year’s final by hosts Howick, who will be determined to lift the trophy for the first time, on home soil.
Ixopo and Carter will also expect to be in the final stages – or perhaps there could be a surprise from the likes of GHS or from the spirited Kokstad College girls.
It’s been a long wait.
The last time Maritzburg College won the MTN PMB FA Cup was when the much-heralded Ryan Moon was the key in the team. Read his thoughts here: https://kzn10.com/maritzburg-college-old-boy-soccer-star-ryan-moon-on-pmb-fa-cup/
Now the waiting is over.
It’s time.
It is imperative for coaches to know what works for you, the player. Get in the driving seat with the tried and tested. Contact Trish right now at info@trishsutton.co.za
Maritzburg College soccer connects with community
Hosts the Maritzburg College U15C soccer team made new friends over the weekend when they met a team from the Kenosis Community Trust.
The Maritzburg College U15C’s match-up with the boys and girls of the Kenosis team produced a soccer match that brought much reward, fun and frivolity.
The Kenosis Community Trust is a foster care programme that serves the needs of orphaned and vulnerable children.
New friends were made and much common ground discovered.
Bonds of this nature extended by our KZN10 schools, which this website and social media serves is applauded.
Long may these initiatives continue across this website and social media’s chosen KZN10 schools.
As has been mentioned before by the KZN10.com website and social media offering; our common bond in sport brings the communities of our beautiful province closer together.
It truly is a case of
#RedBlackWhite #CollegeCommunity #FiveYearsForLife
* Source – Maritzburg College Facebook, shared by Michael Dibben.
Featured photo: SnapsbyRambo
Michaelhouse and College play to a draw
Michaelhouse and Maritzburg College clashed in a inter schools fixture which resulted in teams playing to a pulsating 1-1 draw.
College came into the fixture on a great run of form having beaten highly fancied Kingsway of Amanzimtoti the day before. The absence of inspirational keeper, Thandolwethu Zondi, and talismanic striker, Tariq Whiteman, could slow down the visitors.
Fibre passed you by, Mitsol wireless solutions rise to the occasion. Contact Zeke Oosthuis: 0861 477 477
Michaelhouse started the game like a house on fire and immediately stamped their authority on proceedings. Luc Pousson being instrumental as he bossed the midfield in the opening stages as James Gush had two great scoring opportunities in the opening quarter. Shortly after College keeper, Luyanda Mawela, again saved College by blocking a Thabo Dlamini shot.
After being totally outplayed for most of the half the visitors finally strung some passes together resulting in their best chance of the match as a Monty Dorlly effort crashed in to the cross bar. In a flash the ball was moved up field for fleet-of-foot Thabo Dlamini to coolly slot the opening goal away. 1-0 to the hosts and well deserved for their dominant 1st half performace.
Maritizburg College 1st team against Michaelhouse.
College needed to raise the tempo in the second half, and that they did, as they pressured the Michaelhouse midfield. A sustained period resulted in College Striker, Nhlakanipho Khubeka, being brought down in the area. Captain Cool, Lwazi Zondi, wasted no time in slotting the penalty passed Michaelhouse keeper, Noah Stanger making the scores 1-1.
It was game on as the teams entered the last quarter of the match with the action being fast and frenetic as the teams moved up and down the pitch. Both goalmouths witnessed mad scrambled clearances as the two teams searched for the winner.
The game ended in a stalemate as the ref blew his whistle on a thoroughly entertaining match. Credit to College for the way they played particularly after they were reduced to 10 men after a sending off of one of their players.
Michaelhouse next head to the St Davids challenge cup with a nicely balanced team anchored by their man at the back Noah Stanger. College can finally have a break after a busy last few weeks
Score:
Michaelhouse: 1 (Thabo Dlamini)
Maritzburg College 1 (Lwazi Zondi)
Team Lists
Michaelhouse: 1 Noah Stanger (c), 3 Luc Pousson, 8 Nick Crampton, 5 Michael Bradford, 6 Mugabi Lubinga, 2 James Gush, 7 Gareth Kemp, 4 Michael Ross, 13 Alex Vermeulen, 9 Thabo Dlamini (vc)
18 Matthew Craigie-Stevenson
Head coach Ryan van Wyk
College: 16 Luyanda Mawela, 2 Monty Dorlly, 12 Zusiphe Gxarisa, 3 Nhlakanipho Phenyane, 5 Nqululeko Zondo, 13 Theo Hlatswayo,8 Bayanda Gumbi, 10 Lwazi Zondi (c), 14 Chad Desplace, 7 Nhlakanipho Khubeka (vc), 11 Nqibelelo Msiya
Substitutes
4 Riley Naidoo
9 Billy Brooks
Head coach
Daniel Haswell
Match report: Goalkeeper heroics in penalty shootout steers Maritzburg College into MTN soccer final
It went down to a heart-stopping penalty shootout… and it was Maritzburg College first team goalkeeper Thandolwethu Zondi who undid the dreams of St Nicholas with 3 great saves under intense pressure as the RedBlackWhite clinched the match 3-1.
This MTN 2nd Term League U19A division semi-final ended 0-0 at full-time but the bare scoreline didn’t reflect how much action took place in each goalmouth.
Featured image: Maritzburg College first team soccer goalkeeper Thandolwethu Zondi was the semi-final matchwinner.
Tuesday afternoon’s humdinger took place at the AB Jackson soccer fields in Princess Margaret Drive, opposite Harry Gwala Stadium, home of Maritzburg United.
Diagonal neighbours across College Road/West Street, St Nicholas ended third in the league phase of the competition with Maritzburg College in second place.
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An error not to be made is to look at a school like St Nicholas and compare on the usual rugby cricket etc. basis to Maritzburg College. Soccer throws conventional Maritzburg College team sports codes rivalry completely out of the window.
With the passion on the sidelines palpable, it was Maritzburg College who started the first half well, with RedBlackWhite forward Tariq Whiteman instrumental in a number of the dangerous moves.
The desire on the part of both teams to win this one was immediately evident in the hotly-contested nature of every challenge… there was no holding back, and the referee had to chat with the players from both sides more than once in the early stages.
The MTN 2nd Term League U19A semi-final teams Maritzburg College and St Nicholas minutes before kick-off at the AB Jackson soccer fields yesterday.
St Nicholas were playing directly into the sun and it wasn’t an easy task for their goalkeeper to negotiate the high ball, and one suspected that the setting sun would be even harder on Maritzburg College keeper Zondi in the second half.
There was activity in both goalmouths in the first half but not quite on the scale of the second-half thrills and spills.
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The St Nicholas coach was in animated conversation with his boys during the halftime break.
From his body language there was no doubt that the central message was to pepper Maritzburg College keeper Zondi with high balls after the changeover.
And so it soon was. The second of two second-half high balls into the Maritzburg College six-yard box were hugely troubling for RedBlackWhite keeper Zondi and St Nicholas managed to steer the ball towards the goalline only for a Maritzburg College defender to make a goal-saving clearance off the line!
The St Nicholas first team take a breather at half-time during the nail-biting MTN 2nd Term League U19A semi-final with Maritzburg College at the AB Jackson soccer fields. Harry Gwala Stadium in the background. Photo Jono Cook
Here’s the rest of this pulsating semi-final in real time, as Jono saw it.
It’s all St Nicholas as two goalshot possibilities come and go before Maritzburg College have a similar opportunity at the other end. Having just said that… a great goalshot from St Nicholas… Just past the post.
Consternation in the St Nicholas goalmouth shortly after. It’s end-to-end non-stop stuff!
Maritzburg College make their third substitution – this time enforced. And the new sub has a great chance from a curling cross from the right but his goalshot is parried by the St Nicholas keeper!
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The St Nicholas coach is perpetual motion – in body and word – as he paces up and down like a caged lion…
A curling Tariq Whiteman free-kick into the goalmouth just evades a team-mate’s opportunity to head the ball into the St Nicholas net. At the other end a long-range St Nicholas direct free-kick curls past the wrong side of the near post.
Definitely a good spell being enjoyed by Maritzburg College in the last few minutes, but at the other end St Nicholas have a goalshot opportunity that doesn’t come off.
The protests at certain referee decisions are drawing increasing shouts of complaint from one side of the halfway line… Excellent defence from Maritzburg College as St Nicholas pile on the pressure.
Well, the best chance of the match so far… But the St Nicholas striker shoots wide of the far post with time on his side…
The full set of 2nd Term League finals with the dates and kick-off times. The PMB High Schools Football Association have done a great job in administering the busy schedule through the weeks of the tournament.
A direct Maritzburg College free-kick curves comfortably over the St Nicholas crossbar.
As much as there have been plenty of opportunities in both goalmouths one senses that this MTN 2nd Term League tournament’s first semi-final in the U19A division could be heading to penalties.
The referee is dishing out cards as the pressure to break the deadlock mounts. And a free-kick culminates in a St Nicholas defender clearing the ball off his goalline! Hardly a minute later, a Maritzburg College header is not far off the mark.
And the ref has had enough… A St Nicholas player gets a red card. St Nicholas down to 10 men for the rest of the match.
Aaaaaa-aaand that’s full-time!
Maritzburg College 0
St Nicholas 0
Straight to penalties after a brief break.
Septic tank and sludge pit drainage issues? Why let the conditions drain you? John Smithers is your coach on this one. Contact John at johnsmithers@vodamail.com
THE PENALTY SHOOTOUT SEQUENCE
St Nicholas first…
A brilliant save low to his left by Maritzburg College keeper Thandolwethu Zondi!
And the Maritzburg College captain and midfielder Lwazi Zondi slots his penalty coolly into the net!
The St Nicholas second penalty… it’s inch-perfect.
The Maritzburg College second penalty… Is in!!!
After 2 rounds
Maritzburg College 2
St Nicholas 1
Into the third round… And yet another superb save by the Maritzburg College keeper!
And the Maritzburg College penalty? – It’s perfect!
3 rounds gone
Maritzburg College 3
St Nicholas 1
It’s make-or-break time for St Nicholas… If they don’t score with their fourth penalty it’s all over.
And the Maritzburg College keeper Zondi makes yet another stu-uu-uuuning save!!!!
It’s all over!!!!
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As the RedBlackWhite supporters cheer at full volume, goalkeeper Zondi’s team-mates rush from the halfway line to congratulate their heroic shot-stopper, thinking the game is over.
But no…
The linesman rules a keeper infringement…hazarding a guess, I think the keeper was adjudged to have advanced off his goalline towards the penalty-taker before he’d launched his goalshot…
St Nicholas get another chance… It must go in…
But the replayed St Nicholas penalty hits the post!
It’s GAME OVA-AAA!!!
Maritzburg College win the penalty shootout 3-1 and advance to the MTN 2nd Term League U19A Cup final, which takes place at the AB Jackson at 3.30pm next Tuesday, 11 June.
Well played St Nicholas… it’s a pity there couldn’t have been two winners.
Here’s Maritzburg College head coach Daniel Haswell’s thoughts on this pusating semi-final contest.
The second semi-final saw 2018 champions Haythorne, fourth in the league phase of the competition, face Carter, who ended first in the league.
And it was Haythorne who prevailed 1-0 through a B. Zondi goal in what was a typically hard-fought cup tie.
So it sets up a repeat of last year’s final, in which Haythorne beat Maritzburg College in an excruciatingly tense penalty shootout.
See you at the AB Jackson next Tuesday at 3.30pm!
* The tournament is administered by the PMB High Schools Football Association.
The success of every team is built on clear communication. https://cellc.co.za/
KZN 10 Super Saturday – The 26-28 Match… as Jono saw it… in the moment…
Aaaaaa-aaand on the first minute it’s a Westville try by outside centre Mlu Khalishwayo in front of the Kent Pavilion after a judicious kick towards the corner.
* Justin Waldman feature image: RedBlackWhite captain Siphe Kekana and The Nicholson Arch Touch.
College infringe 30 metres out and the low Grove Akker kick sees the 10’s effort flash a metre over the crossbar.
Septic tank & sludge pit drainage? Why let the conditions drain you? John Smithers has got your back. johnsmithers@vodamail.com.
More from photographer Justin Waldman.
Two-try Philani Simamane on fire. Photo Justin Waldman
When it comes to a great getaway look no further than the five star Fordoun Hotel Spa and Restaurant in the leafy peace and quiet of Nottingham Road. Use Fordoun as your base to explore the delights of the KZN midlands. Go to https://www.fordoun.com/
Let’s just say the big boys weren’t shy… Sharon Pretorius Photography
Get in the driving seat with the tried and tested. Contact Trish right now at info@trishsutton.co.za
Westville 11
27 minutes to go.
The action was unstoppable. Sharon Pretorius Photography
16 minutes to go
But it’s never over till the full-figured lady sings…
Successful 3-pointers come from depth perception. Get yours checked with Wendy Gray and Team.
Then it’s Maritzburg College first XV flyhalf Anele Nzimande who smashes through for a Henry Trodd converted try!
Maritzburg College 19
Westville 25
Sharon Pretorius Photography
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Photo by Martin Ashworth
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And this KZN10 Super Saturday 1 June it’s the formidable Hilton first XV on Graeme Gilfillan Field in the lovely land of the Hiltonians.
A buoyant Westville tackle Kearsney on WBHS OB Day.
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The Maritzburg College Westville Goldstones epic: How the WBHS coaches saw it
“Throughout history a win on Goldstones has always been a difficult thing to obtain, but on Saturday after a hard-fought game the Westville 1st XV managed to hold on to their lead to win 28-26.
“1 minute into the game Westville were already on the score sheet with a try through outside centre Mlu Khalishwayo.
“The try was unconverted but more points were to follow with flyhalf Grove Akker kicking two penalties for 11-0 up.
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Westville were looking comfortable and clinical, however College were to step up their performance and in the 25th minute replied with a converted try of their own.
“The score was to remain the same till halftime 11-7 in favour of Westville.
“The momentum shifted with about 10 minutes to go in the first half and continued with College scoring a try from deep in their half just 3 minutes into the second half for the home team to take the lead for the first time (12-11).
Maritzburg College outside centre Philani Simamani on his way to scoring a magical try in the corner. All photos Martin Ashworth.
“College were now finding space in the wider channels and had Westville’s defence scrambling, but Westville managed to somehow hold them from scoring and instead responded with two beautiful tries of their own through right wing Simemela Nkomo and tighthead Okuhle Siyeni.
“The tries were converted by Grove Akker and, at 25-12 to Westville, yet again it seemed as though Westville had taken the game away from College, but yet again College showed that they are a team who never say die as they rallied together to score two converted tries in quick succession to regain the lead at 26-25 and set up a nervy last couple minutes of the game.
“Westville got a penalty right in front of the poles, though, and Akker’s kick reclaimed the lead for Westville at 28-26 and that is how it would stay till the final whistle.
“That final whistle seemed to take an age to come, though, as Westville had to defend and survive the relentless College attack at the death.
“Westville seemed to be camped for an age on their tryline. In the final moments College were awarded a penalty in front of the poles to win the game but inexplicably they turned it down and took a quick tap instead.
“Westville breathed a sigh of relief and tackled with renewed gusto. College eventually knocked the ball on and Westville had survived the tidal wave to record a 28-26 victory on the hallowed turf of Goldstones.”
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Watch: Last 30 seconds College vs Westville
Here are the last 30 seconds of the rugby match between College and Westville. Maritzburg had been camped on the Westville line for a number of minutes without crossing the whitewash.
After having received 4 penalties in quick succession College elected to score a try to win, something which they had done against Kearsney College. Westville decided to dig in. Watch the play:
The question as to why Maritzburg College didn’t take the opportunity to kick the 3 points is still a mystery, but, if this season in the KZN10 has shown us anything its that the matches between the schools have been tight, tough contests where there doesn’t seem to be one clear dominant school.
Clear communication lines can make it or break it. https://cellc.co.za/ https://www.cellc.co.za/ The Power is in Your Hands.
KZN School Match Preview College vs Westville
There is an African proverb that says, ‘when elephants fight the only thing that suffers is the grass’. This will be so true when these two rugby giants collide on Goldstones on Saturday Afternoon. Fortunately, the only thing that will suffer will be the grass and nothing else. The hallowed ground of the red, black and white is a little more forgiving these days so come sun down tomorrow the field will most certainly bear the marks of a ferocious battle.
Optimal eyesight is not just the priority of rugby players. Consult the experts. Make an appointment. http://www.hilliarandgray.co.za/contact/
Get in the driving seat with the tried and tested. Contact Trish right now at info@trishsutton.co.za
College come into the game with a 5 match winning streak after early season wobbles and seem to have settled on the right combinations. The inconsistency which has marked this Westville season took another twist last week as they lost to Hilton College at home in another game they had all the rights to win.
In Westville, College face a very similar team to Northwood, a brutal pack and some lighting quick backs. The key is, can the College loose forwards get around the park quick enough to plug all the holes that the likes of Westville fullback, Mbaso Nonki, may exploit.
Not that we need reminding just how dangerous they can be but here is the match winning try between Westville and Affies from just two weeks ago:
Against Northwood, College were caught a bit flat footed against the pace of Makhaza at the back. If College are going to play field position the rugby axiom of ‘a kick up field is only as good as its chase” comes into play.
There are intriguing match ups all the way through the teams. In the forwards it should be a titanic struggle for supremacy.
A player to keep an eye out for is Kgopotso Matlena of Westville in the second row. The Academy week player had a brilliant game against Hilton and has got great hands for a lock and is extremely agile. The question is can he do enough of the work in the trenches to affect play.
Wandile Hlope ready to make the hit. Photo – Maritzburg College
Opposite Matlena, is uncompromising Wandile Hlope for College. The Craven week lock may not move as well as Matlena but his brute strength in defence and general work in the tight lose sets him apart.
For College they will look for play maker Nzimande to control the game and spark their back line. A running flyhalf if ever there was one, the question that will need answering is, can he get College to play rugby in the right parts of the field? For all his great abilities he does lack that extra 10-20 metres of distance in his touch finders which could give Westville the platform to attack from.
Then there is the midfield battle between Mambo Mkhize of Westville and Kekana of College. Mkhize is a powerful ball runner, who more often than not, draws two and sometimes three defenders as he attacks the line.
Will Basher Ridge be celebrating come the final whistle this Saturday. Photo – Maritzburg College
The one weakness in his game at this stage of his rugby development is that his pass off either hand isn’t particularly convincing. He has perfected the art of the ‘Sonny Bill’ type pass out of a tackle so if he can free his arms he is capable of keeping the play moving.
Kekana is the rock of defence in the midfield between the two play makers Nzimande and Simemane and his role has certainly bought a little more balance to the College back line.
It is sure to be a great match as these two schools clash and we at KZN10 cannot wait.
Kickoff times : 1st 15:00
2nd 13:45
U16A 12:30
Clear communication lines can make it or break it. https://cellc.co.za/ https://www.cellc.co.za/ The Power is in Your Hands.
Elsewhere in the province, DHS take on Voortrekker in Durban whilst Clifton College play the DHS 2nd team on stagger. DHS should be to strong with Academy week player, Darren Booysen, sure to set Van Heerdens alight with his dynamic running.
Northwood head out of the province to take on St Benedicts College. The Knights have enjoyed the comforts of home or 4 weeks now and have delivered some great performances and leave with a 3 from 4 record. This should be a weekend where Northwood take the spoils ably lead by Craven week flank and team Captain Sasko Ndlovu.
KZN10 Hockey Match Report – Kearsney College vs Maritzburg College
Clear communication lines can make it or break it. https://www.cellc.co.za/ The Power is in Your Hands.
On a damp morning Kearsney College hosted Maritzburg College at the Masons Astro. Both teams have played quality hockey in patches this season so it was all set up for a great clash.
Kearsney immediately went onto the attack and spent most of the 1st and 2nd chukkas camped in the Maritzburg College half. It was down to two things, primarily, that stopped Maritzburg from gaining any rhythm: (i) Maritzburg conceding turnovers and (ii) some aggressive, tough-as-nails play from Ronan Farquarson and Jacques Minnaar of Kearsney.
Martizburg spent most of the 1st half on the back foot and Kearsney, relishing the unusual tentativeness of the Maritzburg lads, applied enormous pressure. The first opportunity came when an aggressive run by David Hudson opened up space for Campbell Duckworth to shoot – just wide. The signs were there that Kearsney would, sooner or later, make the breakthrough.
With all the sustained pressure it seemed just a matter of time till Kearsney would earn its first penalty corner. The PC set-up didn’t flow fluidly but enough room was created for James Maguire to fire past the right post.
Maguire and team mates celebrate the opening goal. Photo Credit – Kearsney College
It was from another College turnover that the first goal of the match was scored… a neat interchange between Duckworth and Farquarson opened up a passing lane to Maguire who, with just enough space, punched the ball into the bottom-left corner from top of the D.
A fitting reward for Kearsney, who had bossed proceedings up to this point.
Maritzburg were reduced to trying to catch Kearsney on the counter-attack but livewire Minnaar was an absolute pest, as his relentless workrate stifled much of Maritzburg’s attacking play.
His over-zealousness did earn him a green in the last moments of the half but the nuggety midfielder had certainly played his part in helping Kearsney dominate the 1st half.
Livewire Jacques Minnaar looks to get play going. Photo Credit – Kearsney College
The 2nd half was a complete reversal of the first and now it was College’s turn to spend large portions of the 3rd and 4th chukkas pressuring the Kearsney goal.
There was a sense of urgency about the College play which was surprisingly absent in the 1st half. Bruyns was tireless in running into space as he dragged the Kearsney defenders to and fro across the field. The passing was crisp and the movement decisive as Mthalane and Ngcobo probed down the left-hand side.
As Minnaar and Farquarson had done for Kearsney in the 1st half, it was now Maritzburg’s Prinsloo who entered centre stage in the midfield battles. It was a direct result of his energy and drive that Martizburg were awarded a penalty corner.
Martizburg’s timing was also off and In the ensuing scramble Kearsney were adjudged to have deliberately hit down on a Maritzburg stick and a penalty flick was awarded. Up stepped captain Pio for Maritzburg and he coolly tucked the flick away in the top-right corner.
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Play continued with the scores locked at 1-1 until deep into the 4th chukka… and there perhaps came the defining point in the fixture. Prinsloo, who had been so influential in controlling the midfield for Martizburg, received a green card and was sent off the field. With the space now afforded to him, it was that man Farquarson (featured image. Photo Credit – Kearsney College) who took matters into his own hands – and it was after one of his telling drives and resultant pass to Maguire that Maritzburg conceded a short corner with a slender, but sufficiently meaty, 90 seconds left on the clock.
The penalty corner wasn’t the smoothest you will ever see, but there was just enough variation to give Chase Kelly time and space to smash the ball into the bottom-right corner, much to the delight of the Kearsney players and fans. It was now 2-1 to Kearsney with but a handful of seconds left.
The resultant Maritzburg possession didn’t amount to much, and the final whistle duly sounded. The jubilation of the Kearsney players at the whistle reflected just how much they wanted this – and what it means to topple the Red Army’s hard-earned reputation gained over the decades as one of the most potent forces in South African schools hockey.
And full credit must go the way of the Kearsney lads for the manner and forethought with which they went about their task.
1sts hockey: Saints come back but Red Army prevail
St Charles College first hockey team fought back from a 2-0 halftime deficit against Maritzburg College and then 3-0 early in the second half, to 3-2 with 12 minutes left before the 4-2 goal 5 from the end sealed a deserved victory for the Red Army.
This much-anticipated local derby took place in front of a sizeable crowd around Saints Astro and the first 10 minutes presented a tussle for midfield supremacy.
In the last five minutes of the first quarter (match in four 15-minute chukkas) the match began to loosen up with several close calls at either end after nifty build-up.
The new trend continued early in the second quarter and Maritzburg College went 1-0 up in the match’s 19th minute when the first penalty corner saw Red Army captain Pio fire low to the keeper’s right.
Two well-worked moves down the right were nullified by the Saints defence as Maritzburg College began to gain the ascendancy.
Midway through the second quarter, the second Red Army penalty corner saw a double-castle attacking formation at the top of the strike zone.
The corner injection went to the furthest castle out right and Pio’s hip-high flick flew past the wrong side of the keeper’s left-hand post.
As the second-quarter clock ticked along, the Saints defence found themselves absorbing considerable pressure.
Just 23 seconds to halftime a through-ball was slotted into the strike zone and the alert Mthalane got the deflection goal to put the Red Army into a healthy 2-0 lead at the changeover, capping off an excellent second quarter for the Red Black and White.
Early in the third quarter another neat move into the strike zone witnessed a fine deflection goal by the Red Army’s Ngcobo (3-0).
Perhaps a key factor at this stage was that the Maritzburg College defence were successful in breaking down Saints attacks in the attacking third, leaving the Red Army’s SA Schools 2018 goalkeeper Ngcongo with little to do.
Three-and-a-half minutes to the close of the third quarter (42nd match minute) and against the run of play, the hardworking Saints earned their first penalty corner (PC).
Maritzburg College lost two defenders for breaking early and with just 2 PC defenders now on hand to support keeper Ngcongo, this represented a golden opportunity for the Saints to pull a goal back.
And so it was, with SCC skipper Church (I think) getting the goal-line breaker (3-1).
The game was now on, but would the Saints have the goods to eliminate the Red Army’s two-goal advantage?
Early into the fourth and final quarter the Saints earned their second PC – it was another SCC match-changing moment that had to come off.
The initial PC drag-flick shot was blocked but Saints quickly recovered to effect a deflection goal (not sure who the scorer was) and at 3-2 Red Army with 12 minutes left this derby was there for the taking.
Outstanding stick-and-ball skills at close quarters by MC striker Prinsloo set up a penalty corner but the goalshot chance was superbly intercepted and cleared by Saints skipper Church before a rapid-fire MC backhand shot sailed over the crossbar shortly after.
Perhaps a key derby differentiator was that Maritzburg College’s technical skills were a touch above that of the Saints lads, and top skills by the Red Army’s Veenstra won a penalty corner opportunity with 5 match minutes left.
The initial strike was flung low to the keeper’s right and corner injector Jackson was on hand to pop in the Red Army’s 4-2 goal off the shot-stopper’s pads.
Great skills by Ngcobo created space for this striker’s shot but the turf-fizzer drilled into the near-post sideboard.
At the other end superb close control by SCC’s Mollentze extracted a fine goal-save by Red Army keeper Ngcobo off the striker’s shot.
And Game Ovaaaaa!
St Charles College 2 Maritzburg College 4
A fair outcome.