The Rep 31 March 2017.compressed

INSIDE: CRUNCH TIME FOR VALGAS, AMATHOLE – PAGE 27
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MEAND MY FOUR-LEGGED FRIEND
Indo or
h o c ke y
semis
MAXWELL LEVINE
THE HPJ Derby Cup between rivals Old
Collegians and Breakers lived up to
expectations with a high-intensity game
that had a passionate crowd on their feet
over the weekend.
Breakers walked off with a 24-22
victory, a floating trophy and the bragging
rights.
The more than 1000-strong crowd was
treated to a most memorable derby with
both teams dishing out a solid display of
physical and attacking rugby. The referee
handed out a total of three yellow cards
for foul and dangerous play.
Both teams played with cohesion, with
Breakers the aggressors early on.
Collegians did not let the bigger and
bulkier opponents intimidate them and
were resolute on defence. Breakers started
as favourites and began with attacks on
the OC rear guard.
The men from Mlungisi drew first blood
as they opened the scoring with a try by
BA Siyobi, converted by Kerwin Gibb to
give them a 7-0 advantage. After a tight
first half, OC replied with an unconverted
try by Beertjie Olivier. A closely contested
half, where Breakers was ruthless upfront
and OC lacked the killer punch in their set
play, ended at 7-5.
The second half was a thrill-a-minute
affair. A new star was born as Devaene
Arends who, in his first game for the
Collegians first team, made his presence
felt after spotting a gap on the blind side.
Arends sprinted through to score a try,
putting OC in the lead at 10-7.
Renowned for their fighting spirit,
Breakers rallied with a try by Thulani
Renqu, converted by Nkunku Mbusi to
take a 14-10 lead. Breakers received a
lifeline when they were awarded a penalty
try after their dominant scrum had OC in
trouble. The try extended the lead to 21-10.
Breakers received a penalty which Mbusi
converted for his side to stretch the lead
to 24-10. With a hefty 14 point advantage
it seemed that the match was over, but
Collegians had the crowd on their feet as
they scored two tries in 10 minutes.
Darren Davids dived over for a
well-worked, converted try to cut the
UP AND OVER!
Hoërskool Hangklip
pupil Leandi Wentzel
per formed
exceptionally well in
the recent Sanesa
competition. See
results in School
Spor t
Breakers claim HPJ Derby Cup win
deficit to seven points. After applying
pressure on Breakers with attack after
attack, OC were rewarded with the last
play of the day as man-of-the-match
Arendse dived over in the corner for a try
to bring the score to 24-22.
Under enormous pressure, Beertjie
Olivier missed the conversion as Breakers
League nearing exciting finish
ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
T
HE indoor hockey league moves to its
semifinals tomorrow at the Thobi Kula
Indoor Sports Centre. The league
started seven weeks ago with five girls’
and five boys’ teams.
S at u r d ay ’s results were: Girls – Snipers
were beaten 0-9 by Dynamics, Suicide Squad
won 3-0 against Tiger Girls and Suicide
Squad lost 1-5 to Dynamics.
In the boys’ division, Destruction Boys were
silenced 0-9 by Matrix and Young 1s claimed
a 3-1 victory over Popcorn Tigers.
Ward 22 sport and community forum
founder Rowen Blignaut said he started the
league last year after noticing that hockey
was dying in Komani.
“There are not that many sports for women
– the only ones are hockey and netball –
which led me to start an indoor hockey team
for them. Hockey was one of our main sports
when I was still playing. I want to revive that
culture.”
Blignaut said the teams were community
based with pupils from different local schools
from the age of 14 participating.
His aim is to establish a community hockey
field and to keep young people away from
mischief and drugs.
“Hockey will teach them discipline on the
field and how to communicate better with
other people.
WE DID IT: A triumphant Breakers after the derby
against Old Collegians Picture: MAXWELL LEVINE
walked off the victors.
In the earlier matches, St Theresa’s had
the better of Louis Rex after defeating both
their U12 and U13 sides by 5-0 and 26-5
respectively. Maria Louw had the better of
Kwa Komani in a highly entertaining
match as Maralas beat their rivals 28-17.
OC reserves defeated Breakers reserves
HOCKEY HYPE: Matrix and Destruction Boys
with Ward 22 sport and community forum
league founder Rowen Blignaut at the hockey
league quarterfinals at the Thobi Kula Indoor
Sport Complex on Saturday
Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
“In the beginning, we struggled with their
behaviour because they did not want to
listen, but on the field they are forced to
c o m p l y, ” Blignaut said.
Queens Casino sponsored the teams with
kit, with the department of sport, recreation,
arts and culture also contributing with
sponsorships.
To m o r r o w ’s matches will take place at the
Thobi Kula centre: Dynamics v Suicide Squad
at 1pm, Young 1s v Popcorn Tigers 2pm; Tiger
Girls v Snipers at 3pm and Matrix v
Destruction Boys at 4pm.
READY TO RUMBLE: Old Collegians substitutes, from left, Jorre
Vaaltyn, Derryn Lentoor and Fred Kibidon watch the game at the
Thobi Kula Indoor Sports Complex on Saturday
Picture: ABONGILE SOLUNDWANA
8-7 in a tightly contested match.
The HPJ Derby Day was a huge success
with the Maria Louw drum majorettes
adding to the spectacle and fanfare. The
next edition promises to be even bigger
and better. Tomorrow Shining Stars will
take on Old Collegians at the Mlungisi
Stadium. The match starts at 3.30pm.