Friday’s 7.30pm match-up between hosts St Charles College first hockey team and visitors Glenwood has the makings of a competitive, action- and emotion-charged spectacle.

That the first team clash represents the culmination of a five-match package on Saints Astro it would be fair to assume a good turnout of KZN10.com hockey fans, particularly with the broader Saints staff having gone the extra mile in making the occasion one of add-value entertainment.

 

 

The customary scrumptious offering that accompanies an SCC afternoon tea (from 4.30pm to 5.30pm) is augmented by the fact that the convivial Coach House will be open from 4.45pm.

One cannot help surmising that braai fires on the Coach House lawn might well come into play among a posse of enterprising individuals during what is set to be a festive Saints Friday night in the KZN capital.

 

 

Erm… back to the hockey.

The main focus will obviously be the battle of skills and wills between the schools’ flagship teams come the 7.30pm push-back.

Preceding that, however, are two attractive clashes between the respective U14A sides at 5.10pm and the U16A’s at 6.15pm so there’s plenty in store.

 

 

St Charles College hockey specialist and first team head coach Matt Coombes has impressed this year in moulding his squad and to pick on one match in particular, the unpredicted draw at Kearsney earlier this season caught the eye of many a knowledgeable observer.

That visitors Maritzburg College outlasted Saints 4-2 last time out, one must bear in mind that the SCC boys had come off a week’s recess leading into the local derby.

Glenwood have two or three notably outstanding players – national age-group recognition is no mean feat – and they were most impressive in the 2-2 draw with Maritzburg College on the 3-Schools Astro in Durban last month.

 

 

And in London 2012 Olympian (among many other accolades) Jonty Robinson, the lads from Surf City have a first team head coach and director who is one of the most internationally experienced and hockey-savvy mentors in the business.

One could mention first team players taking part in this match but let’s see who puts his hand up to write his own story on the fresh page that is this evening’s tasty offering.

Suffice to say that each of the schools has a proud hockey history (St Charles College’s Springbok hockey wing of the 1950s Mally Beckett comes to mind) and one need look no further than the legendary Madsen brothers during their days in Glenwood colours and after, to understand that every man jack on the turf during this evening’s premier bears the badge of the great players before them.

 

 

KZN10.com wishes both teams all of the very best and may the best team win.

KZN10.com in the person of one Jono Cook will be bringing you his comments live from pitch-side and you are more than welcome to follow this internationally respected hockey writer (16 countries, 2014 Hockey World Cup) on his Jonathan Cook Facebook page.