The Founders Hockey Festival came to fitting climax on Monday, with two marquee clashes – SACS vs St Stithians and Kearsney College vs Paul Roos – producing some exciting and outstanding hockey.
In the penultimate game, SACS, up against the Aitken Trophy champions, took a while to impose themselves on the Johannesburg side, who played with composure and held their own, as the teams went into the half-time break goalless.
That all changed in the third chukka in a major way, however. SACS took the lead when Litha Kraai struck from a quick hit taken just outside the circle, and within a minute it was 2-0 after the Capetonians turned over possession and raced back into the circle, where Kraai doubled their advantage.
That became the story of the chukka, with SACS working hard, closing down and squeezing the ball carriers in pairs, turning over possession, swiftly getting into the circle, and finishing expertly. They struck five times in those 12 minutes and the contest was decided. Saints were stunned.
Another goal in the last chukka made it an impressive 6-0 victory.
SACS’ 1st XI coach Sam Holmes declared himself “unbelievably chuffed” after the game.
He said it was a fantastic experience for SACS, last year’s number one team in South Africa, to be part of a north vs south clash, and to face teams from the Eastern Cape, KZN and Gauteng at the Founders Festival.
“It’s nice to experience different styles of hockey, and then to work out a mid-game plan for a 17- or 18-year-old and rectify errors. And that sort of stuff is fantastic to see, and I’m glad they managed to do that in the second half.
Holmes said there had been no special message at half-time. “To be honest, we’ve had a very simple plan for four months… At first team level, it’s as simple as bringing the right energy and executing, and we were able to do that in the second half.”
He added: “When you perform at that level, with players like Litha Kraai, once they get the ball rolling, it’s tickets for anyone.”
With that eye-catching win, SACS made it crystal clear that they’re not going to surrender their number one ranking without a fight.
One of the teams that has designs on that ranking is Paul Roos Gimnasium who, like SACS, had won all four of their matches heading into the final day. They hadn’t scored quite as many goals as the Cape Town school, but they hadn’t conceded any either.
Their game against Kearsney College wasn’t as pretty as the SACS’ performance, but both sides hustled and harried and put in lung-busting shifts in an effort to secure victory. Kearsney also entered the game unbeaten at Founders, having won three and drawn one on the first two days.
Paul Roos took a 1-0 lead into half-time when, unsurprisingly, Reuben Sendzel struck from a penalty corner.
Both teams battled to break through the other’s midfield, but it looked as if that single goal would be enough for the Stellenbosch side. However, with time almost up, Kearsney forced a penalty corner and with that came an opportunity to salvage a draw.
Captain Matt de Oliveira stepped up and made it count, rocketing the ball past the ‘keeper’s left and into the back of the net. It was 1-1 and with that the final whistle sounded.
It felt like a fair result. The home team, always a handful on the Mason Astrohad kept fighting right to the end and their never-say-die spirit had been rewarded.
Reflecting on their rivalry with Paul Roos, SACS’ coach Sam Holmes said: It’s going to be neck-and-neck with Paul Roos the whole year.
“We played a warm-up game [against them], which actually felt like a World Cup final. High energy, very physical.
“It’s fantastic to have such a strong school so close to us, because that’s what gets these guys out of bed for early morning training, knowing there’s another side chasing them.”
Holmes previously coached the current SACS’ 1st team at u16 level and has moved up with them, with Pierre le Rouxwhose son, Joshis in the 1st side, moving down to take charge of the u16A side.
“I’m super-grateful for the opportunities, and for all the unbelievable coaches we have at SACS,” Holmes said. “To be given this position is truly a tremendous privilege.”
In the final day’s other matches, Rondebosch Boys’ High signed off with a 2-1 win over Affies, Parktown Boys’ High put it all together to blast Dale College 7-0, and Queen’s College claimed a 3-0 victory over Northwood‘s Brown Socks.
RESULTS
Rondebosch Boys’ High 2-1 Affies
Parktown Boys’ High 7-0 Dale College
Queen’s College 3-0 Northwood School
SACS 6-0 St Stithians College
Kearsney College 1-1 Paul Roos Gymnasium
A product of Clifton (Nottingham Road) and St Andrew’s School (Bloemfontein), Brad Morgan played schools’ provincial cricket and hockey. He has worked in radio, online and for newspapers. He also previously handled media matters for the Natal Canoe Club, which hosts the Dusi Canoe Marathon, and for the Midmar Mile. Brad has, furthermore, co-authored books on the Dusi Canoe Marathon and the Comrades Marathon. He holds no particular biases towards South African sports teams but, beyond South Africa’s borders, he is a big fan of the Green Bay Packers and Liverpool FC. Brad enjoys photography and music, and likes working to some good dub techno in the background.
Tags: SuperSport Schools SACS turn Stithians Paul Roos held Kearsney
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