Old Oaks top log leaders

KNYSNA NEWS - Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club's men's side rounded off the round-robin stage of the 2023 Eden Senior Hockey League on a high last week with a win over league leaders Crusaders.

Heading into the last fixture of the round-robin stage, the final log standings - and thereby the play-off contenders too - had already been decided, with Crusaders sitting comfortably on top, York in second, Old Oaks in third and NMU George in fourth.

If Old Oaks were to win the game, they would be level on points with both Crusaders and York, but it would take a victory by a very large margin to change the order of the top three.

The game was played at the Maya Gregory Astro at York High School last Thursday 22 June, with a late starting time of 18:00.

The opening quarter was very evenly played, with both sides afforded chances to attack and create scoring opportunities in the early stages. The first blow belonged to Crusaders, as MJ Meyer opened the scoring for the home side courtesy of a drag flick goal with the final play of the first quarter.

It was Old Oaks however who started the second quarter on the right foot, equalising through Jacques Potgieter within the first minute. A second Old Oaks goal from Potgieter followed 11 minutes later and they took a 2-1 lead going into half-time.

The men from Knysna continued to pile on the pressure and seven minutes into the second half scored their third, courtesy of Kyle Groome. No more than a minute later, Crusaders captain John Spilhaus brought the difference back down to one goal, placing the scoreline at 3-2 ahead of the fourth and final quarter.

Old Oaks' Scott Mosterd just about put the outcome beyond doubt two minutes into the final quarter, scoring his first and Old Oaks' fourth goal of the game to restore their two-goal lead. Mosterd was on the scoresheet again, when Old Oaks were awarded a penalty stroke which he duly converted.

The score was then 5-2, which was the final outcome as Old Oaks secured the victory.

In the men's league Crusaders, York and Old Oaks are all level on points but remain first, second and third respectively with NMU in fourth. Crusaders face NMU in the semi-final while York and Old Oaks do battle.

In the ladies league, Crusaders are top again and will face Plett in the play-offs. Meanwhile York are second and will take on third-placed George.

Fifth-placed Plett (men) and Old Oaks (ladies) will wait for the outcome of the seventh-place knockout to know who their opponents will be in the fifth-place playoff. Wanderers (sixth) will face George (seventh) in the men's league and Wanderers (sixth) will take on NMU George (seventh) in the ladies league.

Stuart Daniel takes a free hit for Old Oaks. Photos: Chanelle Booyens