Old Oaks edge out Crusaders

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KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club's men's team earned a hard win against Crusaders last weekend, while their ladies also emerged victorious at the Oakhill sports campus.

This while Plett Hockey Club and Wanderers had tough outings against NMU and George.

PHOTO GALLERY: The win against the Crusaders

Plett vs NMU

The men's and ladies' teams from Plett and NMU were scheduled to battle it out at the astroturf at Outeniqua High School.

The Plett sides were coming off strong wins against Wanderers the week before, and the Plett men's side made the trip to George on Saturday 4 June to face a strong NMU outfit that is yet to lose a game this season.

It was ladies first on the Outeniqua turf though, and Plett had a tough time. NMU won the game 4-0, putting them ahead of Plett on the log standings. In the men's game that followed NMU continued their sublime form, stamping their authority on the game. A 12-0 win for NMU took them into third place on the log.

Wanderers vs George

In Knysna, Wanderers' teams were taking on George at the Knysna High School astroturf. Both games were close, tough encounters for both clubs.

Once more the ladies were up first, and a George side in fine form fought hard to take a 2-0 half-time lead. But, a Wanderers goal from Tarryn Edkins in the third quarter ensured a tense finish to the game. George held on for the 2-1 win though, to climb into second place on the log.

The men's game was a great encounter, as for a long time neither side had the upper hand. Wanderers took the lead twice - first to 1-0, then to 2-1 - but on both occasions George fought back to score equalising goals. The final quarter was a tense affair as both sides pushed to score a winner, and in the final two minutes George succeeded in doing so, securing a hard-fought 3-2 win. Wanderers' goals were scored by Mike Hazell and Rob Leverton.

Old Oaks vs Crusaders

Old Oaks' men and ladies were in action at the Oakhill sports campus, facing Crusaders. The men played first, with Old Oaks coming off a tough win over Outeniqua and Crusaders off a loss to York. Old Oaks drew first blood in the encounter through a goal from Nick Olivier, giving the home side a 1-0 lead that they maintained into the third quarter.

James Chauncey scored Old Oaks' second goal in the third quarter to take a 2-0 lead. Crusaders didn't go down without a fight though and a goal in the final quarter kept things interesting, but Old Oaks held on for a 2-1 win that keeps them second on the log and within a point of York.

The ladies' game was a tough game for Old Oaks, but the Knysna ladies were still able to sweep aside their opponents. Christine van der Merwe hit the backboard in the first quarter to hand Old Oaks a 1-0 lead.

She then doubled that advantage with a second goal in the second quarter. Marlett Watson then got onto the score sheet in the third quarter, giving Old Oaks a three-goal advantage. No goals were scored in the final quarter and Old Oaks secured a 3-0 win, going five points ahead at the top of the table.

Wanda Mtshilibe takes on a Crusaders player down the line. Photos: Blake Linder