THE Northwood first XI opened their season with a clinical display of mature, passing hockey against Durban High School (DHS) over the weekend. The first 15 minutes were dominated by DHS who applied several waves of sustained pressure. However Northwood’s defence maintained their composure and discipline to keep the ball moving away from the pressure points.
Northwood were the first to score finding the back of the net after a well-executed drag flick from skipper, Ross Venning-Pridham. Once the first goal was conceded by the Durban school’s defence seem to fracture and more opportunities presented themselves.
Slater Capell finished off a short corner move that left the ball in the top left hand corner, he then followed that with a crashing reverse stick finish and Jordan Edy tapped a ball in at far post on his debut to leave the hosts 4-0 down at the half.
The second half followed similar fashion with the Northwood boys enjoying all the possession, territory and chances. Ross Venning-Pridham was deadly from top D, scoring another two drag flicks, Slater Capell sent another reverse stick shot past the hapless DHS keeper to get his hat trick along with Ross’ and to end off the scoring, Cade Leaity rounded the DHS keeper to walk the ball over the line to complete a superb performance and 8-0 win.
In the other matches, Northwood were brutal in all the games. In summary, played six, won six, 50 goals for and 0 against. This weekend will be a different approach against Kearsney on Saturday but the intensity and work rate will remain the same.
