President’s second hockey team lift Super Series title
President High hockey teams show great fighting spirit and promise for the season.
THE second hockey team of President High School was in great form on April 14 during the playoff for the first and second place in the NWU Super Series. The game was played in Meyerton at the grounds of Dr Malan High School, where Pressies beat Goudrif 2-1.
The team has been playing together now for four years and coach Quinten de Lange has built up a very tight group of girls whose strength, despite the lack of overall superstars, lies in the fact that they play exceptionally well as a unit.
Earlier on in the competition, it was Goudrif who got a 1-0 victory of the same Pressies, but previous games count for nothing in a final.
Pressies defended very well as a unit and it was noticeable how when a player made an error there was always someone there to help out.
On attack, Pressies had too many guns for Goudrif. The other factor with this team and it has rubbed off on them from their coach, is that even when Goudrif scored, the girls never seemed panicked and looked to consolidate.
Never give up
In another match played just after, the first team came up against Birchleigh in a game that would determine third and fourth places.
The first team is a team that has also come on in leaps and bounds this year. After initially looking like they were not combining too well earlier in the season, this game was proof of how far they have come and also of the fighting spirit that they show. Birchleigh had drawn with them in an earlier round. From the outset, the game was played at a frenetic pace with the game moving from end to end with Birchleigh having the edge and they were rewarded for their efforts with a first-half goal to go 1-0 up.
However, no Pressie side ever gives up and in the second half, Pressies fought back tooth and nail. They launched wave after wave of attacks through the centre, as well as wide, but just couldn’t find the net.
They nearly got caught on the break a few times too but the defence was very resolute. The continued pressure paid off as Pressies equalised but they were not intent on drawing the game and they threw everything at the opposition.
In the end, one could say that Birchleigh were lucky to escape the rest of the second half unscathed. The girls had to have a penalty shootout to determine the winners.
Unfortunately, Pressies came up short but they have proved that the coaches Annesca Pieters and Lavern Benjamin have a really good first team on their hands. They have every chance to take a league title if they play like this.
Well done, Pressies!
Also Read:
Alberton Junior Hockey Academy is looking for young players
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
