UJ hockey team become champions
AUCKLAND PARK – UJ play against Wits in a thrilling Varsity Hockey title.
After they secured their second successive Varsity Hockey title on 23 May, the University of Johannesburg will immediately switch their focus to other objectives when they return to the Southern Gauteng premier league.
“We will play league again on 26 May, against Wits,” said UJ coach Garreth Ewing, “and then we begin the build-up towards Ussa.”
The University Sport South Africa (Ussa) tournament will take place in Johannesburg from 4 to 9 July, where Tuks will be defending their title.”We only came fifth last year. We had a tough pool and didn’t get through it,” said Ewing.
He added that it was a difficult tournament with only eight sides, which made it a hit and run affair. It will be interesting, but playing in Johannesburg will be to our advantage.”
Meanwhile, the university’s women’s team hopes to defend the title they won in 2015.
UJ, who won the inaugural biennial Varsity Hockey tournament in 2014, defeated Tuks 4-2 in a thrilling and tense final at the UJ astro.
While they went through the tournament unbeaten, the result of the final was in the balance until the closing stages. Ewing said they were thrilled to win the title again. “I think it’s really good for us in terms of momentum for the rest of the season and it’s nice to know that the consistency of what we do is still paying off. We work really hard at getting good players in and also work on our conditioning, so it’s nice to have that pay off for us,” said Ewing.
Ewing said the varsities were evenly matched. “On the day anyone can win, but we are happy to take this title again. It’s a really special thing to do,” said Ewing.
“The guys were quite nervous but very focused, we just had to manage a couple of the Tuks attacks and then take our chances when they came.”
He concluded that they knew they would make chances and they did. “Their goalie played exceptionally well to keep them in the game for as long as he did, but our guys were really up for it.”
Details: University of Johannesburg, 011 559 4555.
Related Stories:
UJ hockey stars help SA qualify for World Cup
