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KNYSNA HOCKEY NEWS – The Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club's teams were on form again last weekend with Old Oaks Men securing a top-four spot while Old Oaks Ladies secured first place in the Eden Hockey Senior League ahead of playoffs.
Prior to the fifth round of fixtures last weekend, Old Oaks Men and Old Oaks Ladies were sitting top of their respective logs, with the men needing a win to ensure they would finish inside the top four spots, while the women were already through to the playoffs.
The men's team was lined up to face off with a Crusaders side hoping to break into the top four, and the women had the task of facing Leopards Ladies, who were hoping to secure their place in fourth spot on the log.
The matches were played on Old Oaks' home turf on Saturday 5 June and it was the women's game that got underway first, at 14:00. Leopards were facing an uphill battle from the onset with only eight outfield players in addition to their goalkeeper, but they kept Old Oaks at an arm's length in the first quarter with the score at 1-0 after the first 15 minutes. The home side broke away in the second quarter though, and at half-time were 7-0 ahead.
Photo gallery: More success for Old Oaks
Leopards fought hard in the third quarter, only conceding one goal while still creating chances of their own. Old Oaks saw out the game in the fourth quarter to secure a 10-0 victory.
Twins Charné and Donné de Wet were on fire in front of goal, scoring five and three goals respectively, while Britney Booysen added two goals of her own. Old Oaks Ladies are now guaranteed top spot in the round-robin stage of the league, securing a home semi-final in the playoffs.
Old Oaks' Terri Pautz (left) surges past a Crusaders defender.
Photos: Barbara de Wet
The men's game was a far tighter affair with a lot on the line for both teams. Crusaders were quicker out of the blocks however, and in the third minute Gary Wagner put the visitors ahead.
Old Oaks sparked to life and responded immediately through a goal from Blake Linder a minute later. Matters were level at 1-1 after the first quarter, but a goal from James Chauncey saw the home side take a 2-1 lead going into half-time.
Rick Matter doubled Old Oaks' lead in the third quarter, and in the fourth and final quarter an Alex Vincent goal put the game to bed for Old Oaks to hand them a 4-1 win. The scoreline could have been vastly different had goalkeepers Lyle Katzen (Old Oaks) and Henre Berndt (Crusaders) not put in superb shifts between the goalposts to keep the game interesting to the end.
Steve Campbell carries the ball forward while looking for a pass. Photo: Donné de Wet
The win secures Old Oaks' spot in the top four and they can secure a top two spot with a win this coming weekend.
Old Oaks Men faced Crusaders Men 2 and Old Oaks Ladies were set to face Crusaders on Saturday 12 June.
Kyle Groome prepares to inject the ball for an Old Oaks short corner.
Photo: Donné de Wet
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