Tough weekend for Old Oaks, Plett

Gallery

KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - Last weekend proved to be a challenging one for Old Oaks Knysna and Plett hockey clubs, as only one of the four club sides claimed a victory on Saturday 18 June. Old Oaks' ladies earned the only CX win of the weekend against NMU.

It was the final round of matches in the first half of the Eden Senior Hockey League's 2022 season, which has now taken a break to allow for some rest for the clubs and for club hockey players to take part in the upcoming SA Country Districts tournaments.

The league will likely return in late July, but no definitive date has been set for its resumption yet.

PHOTO GALLERY: Tough weekend for Old Oaks

In the final round Old Oaks were lined up against Nelson Mandela University (NMU) George, with the men's side needing a win to return to one of the top two spots on the log that secure a home semi-final in the playoffs. NMU meanwhile were hoping to win in order to remain top of the log ahead of York High on goal difference.

But, before the two men's teams could do battle, the Old Oaks and NMU ladies teams were up first at the Oakhill Sports Campus on Saturday. Old Oaks ladies had been flawless in the league thus far, conceding only two goals and scoring 54, and were hoping to continue this form into the break.

Stuart Daniel, Lyle Katzen, Darren Kamfer, Liam Bell and Nigel Leverton ready to defend a short corner for Old Oaks.

Four first-quarter goals got them off to the ideal start and they maintained the tempo from there.

When the final whistle blew Old Oaks emerged 12-0 victors, with goals by Donné de Wet (three), Christine van der Merwe (three), Kerrin Klaaste (two), Charné de Wet (two), René Korsten and Shelley Colannani. The win keeps Old Oaks top of the log with seven wins from seven games and three points clear of York in second.

With the high stakes at play, the men's game looked set to be a hard one as both teams had their eyes on the prize. It was however NMU that got off to the ideal start with two goals late in the first quarter, handing them a 2-0 lead.

Old Oaks ladies coach Nigel Leverton keeps a watchful eye on his side.

They managed to hold on to this lead throughout the remaining three quarters, but Old Oaks were consistently nipping at their heels.

Two goals in the final quarter put the result beyond doubt though, as NMU secured a 5-2 win, with James Chauncey and Sean Mackenzie registering goals for Old Oaks. The loss keeps Old Oaks in third place on the log, four points behind York and NMU.

Plett faced robust Outeniqua High outfits at the Knysna High School astroturf. Both games wound up in Outeniqua's favour, with the men's game ending 5-1. The ladies game was a closer encounter but ended 2-1 for Outeniqua.

Wanderers, the region's club side for masters hockey players, meanwhile travelled to George to face York. Jaen Bezuidenhout and Evan van Rooyen scored goals for Wanderers' men's side but York emerged 12-2 victors. It was a similar outcome in the ladies game, where York won 12-0.

Donné de Wet reaches out to prevent an NMU player from getting the ball.