Griffins deliver final blow
BEAULIEU – After a four-day tournament of immense hockey with teams from all over the country, the U18 Griffins beat a strong Blue Cranes side 11-2 in the final after winning all their matches in the pool games.
The Northside Griffins U18 boys were crowned winners of the Hockey Junction Intercity finals at Beaulieu College on 26 April.
After winning all their matches in their group stage, the Griffins marched to the final to face a strong Blue Cranes side.
The first 25 minutes of the match saw a number of goals scored but there were some excellent saves from Cranes keeper Juan Schoeman in this period. The first goal came six minutes into the first half from Griffins striker Keanan Wax after a penalty stroke was awarded.
A number of penalty corners went in the Griffins’ favour but were saved by Schoeman. Griffins strikers Joshua Williams and Dianté Gordon’s teamwork produced a magnificent goal to extend their lead and the next five minutes produced three more goals for the Griffins to extend their lead to 5–0. With two minutes left in the first half, Griffins captain Fawaaz Kahder scored showing impressive skill. Another goal from Gordon from a penalty corner ended the first half of the final.
Wax opened the scoring again for his team 10 minutes into the second half and bagged another five minutes later.
Thereafter, Griffins coach Allistar Fredericks substituted goalkeeper Matthew Pretorius to play with 11 field players.
The Blue Cranes took advantage of Griffins having no keeper and two quick goals came from Luke Dreyer. A penalty stroke awarded to the Griffins saw Dalen Fortune add another goal to their tally. One minute left on the clock saw Griffins midfielder Sanele Mchunu seal the victory 11–2 for the Griffins.
Kahder was awarded player of the tournament with Wax bagging highest goal-scorer and Cranes keeper Schoeman was named goalkeeper of the tournament.
Fredericks also noted Kahder, Mchunu, Jamie Seale, Gordon, Travis Krumples and Schoeman as standout players in the final.
“As a coach, one never needs to motivate players as they know it’s a title match. All I needed to do was let them know that throughout the event they won all their games not playing to the best of the ability,” he said.
Hockey Junction Intercity is scheduled to take place in Bloemfontein next year with the U12 and U14 teams playing from 18 to 21 March and the U16 and U18 teams from 29 April to 1 May.
Related Article:
