After playing out a 2-2 draw a week ago, two of South Africa’s schoolboy hockey powerhouses, Paul Roos Gimnasium (PRG) and South African College High School (SACS), returned to action on Friday night, eager to register wins.
PRG travelled to Somerset West to face Parel Vallei High School (PV), while SACS hosted their noisy neighbours, Rondebosch Boys’ High.
Both sides were outstanding against tough opposition, scoring a combined 11 goals while conceding five between them.
Paul Roos was on another level against PV and powered their way to a big 7-3 win to make a big statement.
Coach Michael Baker’s side headed to Somerset West sweating over the availability of some of their players after five of them caught the flu during the week.
Nevertheless, they pulled through, and they also welcomed back skipper Seth Paterson, who had missed the SACS clash.
Playing in a hostile environment, PRG needed to show composure, and they met the brief from the first whistle to undo the challenge of potentially tricky opponents, who have enjoyed an outstanding season.
They rushed into a 2-0 lead and never looked back despite PV’s resilience and never-say-die attitude.
SA Schools u18A star Caleb Cilliers was in the form of his life and slotted a whopping five goals. Further strikes by Louis Kriel and Luke van der Merwe sealed the win.
For PV, James Miller and Luca Jordaan joined their talisman Luka Meets on the scoresheet. Despite being on the losing side, Meets celebrated a milestone 100th game for the 1st XI with his 100th goal.
Paul Roos will next face Wynberg on Tuesday, while Parel Vallei prepares to travel to Gqeberha to take on Pearson High in their annual derby.
While their rivals, PRG, dominated in Somerset West, SACS also maintained their unbeaten run at the Brewery AstroTurf.
Coach Sam Holmes‘s charges, facing Rondebosch, didn’t need any extra motivation and delivered a polished performance in front of their home supporters.
Captain Litha Kraai was at the centre of it all as usual. He netted a hat-trick, while Josh Goulding scored the other SACS goal. Daniel Fisher struck twice for ‘Bosch in reply.
With the victory, SACS edged closer to completing the season without suffering a defeat to a southern suburbs outfit. They still have matches against Bishops and Wynberg to come later this month.
In other matches, Bishops clinched their second victory over Wynberg Boys’ High this year, winning 3-1 at the Astro of Dreams.
Stellenberg came from a goal down to comfortably beat Durbanville 5-1 in their interschools derby.
Coach Kyle Esau‘s side showed character, charging to victory behind goals from Jacques van Dyk, Zach Els, Leonard Hendrikse, Wilhelm Smet, and Gerrard Matthews Boukoua.
In George, York High grabbed the local bragging rights after beating Hoërskool Outeniqua 1-0, thanks to Lethabo Rapelego‘s goal.
On Saturday, Paarl Boys’ High edged out their arch-rival, Paarl Gimnasium, 3-2 in a thrilling interschools clash.
Boishaai also won last year’s annual derby, scoring a 2-1 victory to emerge victorious for the first time in six years.
Results
York High 1-0 Outeniqua
Bishops 3-1 Wynberg Boys’ High
SACS 4-2 Rondebosch Boys’ High
Paul Roos 7-3 Parel Vallei
Stellenberg 5-1 Durbanville
Paarl Boys’ High 3-2 Paarl Gimnasium
