Old Oaks slides into Eden top spot

Gallery Update

KNYSNA SPORT NEWS - Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club's Ladies team has progressed to the final of the Eden Senior League once again after winning their semi-final on Saturday, 17 August.

Old Oaks Ladies had won the Eden Senior league last year, and progressed to the final of the 2019 season with a 2-0 victory over fourth-placed Crusaders Ladies. The ladies team went into the semifinal against Crusaders after finishing top of the log in the regular season, having played 12 games, winning 11, drawing one and whilst doing so scoring an unbelievable 70 goals and only conceding two all season.

Fourth-placed Crusaders were hoping to usurp the mighty Old Oaks Ladies, who had gone the entire season without losing a single game. But Old Oaks beat Crusaders 2-0, firmly cementing themselves as favourites to take the title with the final to come this weekend against the ever-resilient York High Ladies.

The Old Oaks Knysna Men's 1st team was hoping to repeat the feat that the ladies achieved by also going the season unbeaten, but had a tough challenge as they were to face defending champions Quarry at Oakhill Sports Campus.

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Old Oaks had to start the game with only 10 men, and Quarry were quick to take advantage of the numerical difference by scoring two early goals. Once Old Oaks had their full outfit on the field however, things levelled out and it became a much more even game. The first quarter ended with Quarry leading 2-1.

Things started to heat up in the second quarter as the quality of hockey from both sides began to improve. Despite an improved Old Oaks performance, Quarry maintained their lead and went into halftime with a 3-2 lead.

Old Oaks was finally able to draw level in the third quarter, but their respite didn't last long as Quarry took the lead again, heading into the final quarter with a 4-3 lead.

The final quarter was undoubtedly the most exciting of the game, as Old Oaks rallied back to level proceedings up at 5-5 with less than three minutes on the clock. It would be a dramatic end to the game however, as Quarry grabbed a stunning late 6-5 victory, hitting the backboard with eight seconds left on the clock.

Before their loss at the hands of Quarry, Old Oaks Men's 1sts had also gone the season unbeaten, but thanks to their previous form they have already won the league with an unassailable lead at the top of the table.

The Old Oaks Men's 2nds are out of the running for the title, but had enjoyed a very successful season according to Knysna Old Oaks club coach Nigel Leverton as they made Top 4 for only the second time ever.

Leverton further invited the public to Oakhill Sports Campus this weekend, when the ladies team will be playing in the final while the men's 1sts will be hoping to end their season on a high.

Old Oaks' Steven Campbell hits the ball through the legs of a Quarry defender.