Old Oaks triumph in local derby

KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - In the first-ever Knysna/Plettenberg Bay derby in the Eden Hockey Senior League, Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club emerged triumphant in both the men's and women's matches.

Old Oaks played against Plett Hockey Club who are making their debut in the league as the first-ever club from Plettenberg Bay to take part in the league.

They faced off at the Oakhill Sports Campus on Saturday 14 May, with the men's game getting underway first at 14:45.

After a resounding start to the season against George two weeks ago, Old Oaks found it tough in the opening quarter.

Both sides enjoyed their fair share of possession and chances, but it was in the final minute of the first quarter that Darren Kamfer broke the deadlock and put Old Oaks 1-0 ahead.

Nigel Leverton scored their second goal in the second quarter to give Old Oaks a 2-0 lead at half-time. Kamfer added two goals in the third quarter to complete his hat-trick and put the home side 4-0 up.

But, a determined Plett outfit scored their first-ever goal in the league courtesy of Brad McNamara, putting the score at 4-1.

Kamfer scored his fourth and Old Oaks' fifth goal in the last quarter while Blake Linder scored Old Oaks' sixth before Jonty Wattrus scored Plett's second goal.

This saw the game end on a 6-2 scoreline in the favour of Old Oaks, who will face York High School in a tough clash this weekend.

Zena Sithonga places the ball on the sideline for a free-hit. Photo: Robyn Hazell

In the women's match that followed, Old Oaks were hoping to keep up the good form they showed in their opening match against George the week before.

They managed a great start as two goals from Jen Keevey and one from Donné de Wet handed them a well-earned 3-0 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter proved even more fruitful for Old Oaks as they scored a further four goals courtesy of Charné de Wet (two), René Korsten and Lily Donnell to give their side a strong 7-0 lead going into half-time.

They continued their dominance in the third quarter by hitting the backboard three more times. The goals were scored by Donné de Wet (two) and Marisha Bezuidenhout.

The final quarter started with a first goal of the game for Tanya Pretorius, but not before Plett also scored their first goal in the league.

The De Wet sisters scored one more goal each, seeing Old Oaks emerging 13-1 victors.

Robyn Hazell watches on as Plett takes a free hit.