Great opening week for the SWHC

SW ladies beat Stellenbosch Vics. (27 August 2009)

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club’s ladies first side playing in the Western Province’s highest league (Grand Challenge) demolished the Maties second side 5 - 1 to finish the season in a brilliant second place behind the University of Stellenbosch’s first team. All five goals were scored by different players as the Somerset ladies totally shut out the students with their best team performance of the season to date. The Somerset West ladies 2nd side also recorded a bonus point victory at the same venue as they beat WPCC 4 - 2 to earn a very important five points to confirm their spot for next year in the WPHU’s second highest league. At Radloff Park the ladies 4th side won their third game in a row, but this time they beat the log leaders Café’ del Mar 6 – 2, even after the SW ladies had conceded 2 goals in the first ten minutes to trail 0 – 2. This result moves the team into league promotion contention. The men’s M5 side continued with their campaign to win their league and gain promotion, by comprehensively beat the UCT 10 – 3. Man of the match was Rob de Silva, who set up more goals than the three he scored. This result keeps this team on top of the league with two rounds remaining. Other results from the weekend were; the ladies 3rd side drew 1 – 1 to Durbanville, the men’s 1st side had a bye, the men’s 2nd side lost 0 – 2 to Conberg A and the men’s 4th side beat Pinelands 2 – 1. . For club news, results and match reports please log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org       

 

43 Goals for SW (20 August 2009)

 

The Somerset West hockey Club scored 43 goals in eight matches this past weekend beating their previous best this season of 34. The goal fest was started by the ladies L4 team who missing their goalkeeper, travelled to UCT to play the students. The UCT students were never in the game and only threatened the SWHC stand in goalkeeper twice, while the SW forwards scored 13 goals to win the match 13-0 and continue their great run of form keeping the side in contention for promotion. The ladies TC team then did their best to match the L4 performance as they played Northlink. The Northlink ladies were also never in the game as the SW TC ladies team scored 10 goals to win the match 10-0. Ainsleigh de Kock top scored for her team with four goals. In Kuils River, the log leading men’s M5 team met one of the chief rivals for the M5 league title. The Kuils River club were the first to score very early in the game, but the SW team quickly came back in a match which had no dominant team in the first half. The second half was a very different game as the home team lost their composure letting the SW side take charge to eventually win this very important fixture 3-2, to remain on top of the M5 log. Other results from the weekend were; the ladies 1st side won again as they beat Pinelands 4-0, the ladies 3rd side beat UCT 5-0, the men’s 4th  side beat Wellington 4-2, the men’s 1st side lost against Langa 4-2 and the men’s 2nd side lost to van der stel 4-2. For club news, results and match reports please log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org       

 

 

SW Hockey Ladies win again. (13 August 2009)

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club ladies’ L4 team delivered another solid performance as they won their eighth game of the 2009 season. With a half time score of 0-0 the Somerset West ladies side started the second half a different team as they totally took control of the match. Their first goal came in the second minute and they never looked back, totally shutting out their opposition as they scored three more goals to win the match 4-0. This win secures the ladies’ side their third possibly very important bonus point of the season.

 

The men’s M5 side was the second side on the weekend to also secure a bonus point win, as they won an incredibly hard fought match against a UCT side put together out of higher league players. The Somerset team were first to score but held this lead for a very short time as the students quickly equalized. The Somerset side then scored again but as before the UCT side quickly responded to level the match at 2-2, with 15 minutes to go in the first half. These 15 minutes turned into 15 minutes of a relentless UCT offensive onslaught but, with no success as the Somerset defence held firm until the half time whistle. The second half was a near carbon copy of the first half as the Somerset side opened the scoring but only to quickly conceded a third goal to level the score 3-3. This was however UCT’s last goal and with only five minutes to go UCT allowed Estiaan Groenewald a small gap, which allowed him to score an absolutely awesome match winning goal, for an epic 4-3 win.

 

Other results from the weekend were; the ladies’ 1st side drew 2-2 against WPCC A, the ladies’ 2nd side beat Kuils River 3-1, the ladies’ 3rd side had a bye, the men’s 1st side drew 2-2 against UCT, the men’s 2nd side lost 3-4 against UCT and the men’s 4th side had a bye.

 

For club news, results and match reports please log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org       

 

 

SW men remain top. (6 August 2009)

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club men’s 3rd side continued with the form that has to date kept the team at the top of the WPHU M5 league, when they beat the side from the Western Province Cricket Club (placed mid table) 6 – 0 on Saturday. This result earned the Somerset West team another bonus point which could be very important come the end of the season. The six goals were evenly spread amongst the team members and player of the match was awarded to Justin Patterson. Also on Saturday, at the Stellenbosch A astro turf, in only her second game of the season for the ladies’ 1st side, Henna du Buisson scored another two brilliant reverse stick goals as the Somerset West ladies comprehensively beat Pinelands 5-1, also earning a bonus point, placing this team second in the province’s highest league. At the very same time on the Stellenbosch B turf, the ladies’ 2nd side recorded a huge victory 2-0 victory over the Kuils River ladies team who were placed well above the ladies’ 2nd in the league logs. Other results from the weekend were, the ladies’ 3rd  side had a bye and the ladies’ 4th side drew 1-1 with WPCC. The men’s 1st side lost 0-2 to Fish Hoek, the men’s 2nd side lost 2-3 to WPCC and the men’s 4th side had a bye. For club news, results and match reports please log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org       

 

SW youngsters make SA. (30 July 2009)

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club is very proud to announce that two of its up and coming ladies’ first team players have been chosen to represent South Africa in their respective age groups. Andrea Buhr and Seleke Brand were selected for the SA u18 and u17 teams respectively at the recent South African Inter – Provincial Hockey Tournament, congratulations ladies!! This past weekend the men’s 4th side who finished on top of their M7 league at the end of the first season, had an unimaginably perfect start to their second half of the season when they beat the men from Mutual 10 – 0, at Mutual’s home astro on Saturday. The Mutual team were never in the game as the Somerset West side camped in their half, so much so that the Somerset West keeper out ran his defence on a few occasions just to touch the ball. Man of the match was Justin Patterson and Ryan West was the top scorer with three goals. The ladies first team also had a fantastic start to their second half of the season with a 3-2 victory over the WPCC A side on Saturday. The team was very happy to welcome Henna du Buisson to the club before this match. Henna who has played a number of games for South Africa and has been playing club hockey in France for the last few months, celebrated her first match for the team by scoring two exceptional reverse side goals. The team was also very happy to welcome back their inspirational player coach Gail Strapp, congrats on a good team performance ladies. Other results from the weekend were the ladies’ 2nd side had a bye, the ladies’ 3rd side unfortunately lost their first game of the season 1 – 4 to Durbanville A, the ladies’ 4th side steamrolled the team from Central 6 – 0.The men’s first and third sides had byes and the men’s second side beat Conberg B at Wynberg 3 – 2. For club news, results and match reports please log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org       

 

 

SWHC looking to make history. (23 July 2009)

 

Every year the Western Province Hockey Union season is divided into two halves to allow for the June – July school and varsity holidays. This weekend will see the start of the 2nd half of the 2009 outdoor season and the Somerset West Hockey Club could rewrite history, should the club continue with the form its teams displayed in the first half of the 2009 season. Seven of the club’s sides (including the ladies’ first team playing in the provinces’ top league) are currently placed in the top three positions in their respective leagues, meaning that six sides have a very real chance of being promoted, only three league promotions would be a club first. The ladies’ first side playing in the Union’s top league are currently joint second with two other teams on thirty points. This side could easily have made the second spot in this league their own, but have been very unlucky when collecting bonus points. They have only lost two games this season and are one of only two teams to score against Stellenbosch who have nine national players in their side. The ladies’ second side, who jumped one and a half leagues last season (in the top league expansion programme) have really impressed. Playing in the Union’s second highest league they are sitting just below the mid table point and look like they will definitely be around to compete next year in the same league. The ladies’ third side who are undefeated this season are currently placed second in their league and have a real chance of being promoted, as well as the ladies’ fourth side (who were promoted last season) placed third in the L4 league on 30 points. The men’s first and second sides, who were also promoted last season in the same league expansion program, have taken the Union’s second and third highest leagues by storm! These teams are both currently placed 3rd on 29 points, however the men’s second side have played two more matches. The club committee and all it’s members is very excited about the prospect of possibly having our men’s first side promoted to the Province’s top league. The final two men’s teams, the third and forth sides, have had near perfect starts to their seasons. Both teams are placed first the Union’s M5 & M6 leagues and have both only lost one match scoring a collective 58 goals to date. Unfortunately all these results are only mid season results, but fortunately all eight of the SWHC teams know that all they need do is match their results of the first half the season to comprehensively rewrite the club’s history books. Follow the clubs performance and all club events by logging onto www.somersetwesthockey.org.

 

 

SWHC 1st sides remain unbeaten. (14 May 2009)

 

After round four of this year’s Western Province Hockey Union’s outdoor competition, the Somerset West Hockey Club’s first ladies’ and men’s teams remain unbeaten, both winning their first four fixtures.

 

The men’s side played UCT at the universities’ home astro on Saturday afternoon. The Somerset West team knew from the beginning of the season that this fixture would be the team’s first real test this season, and how right they were. The UCT side placed second on the league log behind Somerset West before the match, showed how they had earned this league position as the two sides matched one another in all aspects of the game in the opening ten minutes. Somerset West then broke the scoring dead lock with an excellently constructed short corner converted by the team’s captain Jacque Loubser, only to have the men from UCT quickly unconvincingly strike back to even the score, which was unchanged at half time. The beginning of the second half belonged to visiting team as they dominated the match leading to Michael Corrigan eventually put the Somerset West side in front with a well created field goal, after UCT had absorbed a great deal of pressure. But once again UCT hit back with a soft goal in the middle period of the second half which saw the Somerset West side battling not just the eleven students on the park but the two match officials as well. With the score tied at 2 all, and ten minutes remaining the Somerset West team once again took control of the match with wave after wave of attack eventually leading to penalty stroke been awarded to the Somerset side. Captain Jacque Loubser immediately gave the responsibility of taking this very important set piece to a surprised Michael Corrigan, who quickly confirmed the rules of this set piece with the match umpire. Michael stepped up and took a perfectly placed (bottom left) penalty stroke sending the UCT goalkeeper in the wrong direction and regaining the lead for his team. With only few minutes left the Somerset West team really turned on the pressure and were very unlucky not to convert two short corners in the dying minute of the match which ended in a well deserved 3 – 2 win. The side now leads the WPHU Town Challenge league (2nd League) with 19 points from four matches. The club’s ladies’ 1st side, not to be out done by the men also won their fourth match of the season as they beat the ladies from Central Hockey Club 3 – 1 in the WPHU Grand Challenge League (1st League), this result leaves both first sides unbeaten thus far this season. Other results from the weekend were, 2nd ladies’ side lost 1 – 2 to Fish Hoek, 3rd ladies’ side drew 1 – 1 with CPUT Wellington, 4th ladies’ side beat Pioneers 2 – 1, 2nd men’s side lost 1 – 4 to UCT, 3rd men’s sides match against UCT was conceded by UCT and the men’s 4th side beat Langa 3 – 2. For more news, results, match photos, fixtures please log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org

 

SWHC’s great form continues. (7 May 2009)

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club continued with their great form in week two of the Western Province Hockey Union leagues, as only one side did not win this weekend and their top ladies’ and men’s teams remain unbeaten. The men’s first side who convincingly won their first match 5 -2, improved on this result by beating Pinelands B 6 – 1 to collect their second bonus point in their second game putting this team on top of the WPHU Town Challenge log. The ladies’ first side faced old indoor and outdoor rivals Conberg, who they beat 1 – 0. Other scores from the weekend where; the ladies’ 2nd side lost 1 – 0 to Pinelands, ladies’ third side won 3 – 2 against Durbanville, ladies’ 4th drew 0 – 0 to central, the men’s third side drew 0 – 0 to Conberg, the men’s 3rd side beat Paarl 1 – 0 and the men’s 4th side beat Pinelands 4 – 2.      

 

Great opening week for the SWHC. (30 April 2009)

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club’s men’s 1st and 2nd sides where both promoted this season in a Western Province Hockey Union league expansion. This placed the men’s 1st side in the province’s second league and the club’s 2nd side in the province’s third league. The results of the first round matches would quickly tell whether the club’s two top men’s sides would be out of their depth or not this season as these first round fixtures where against the top teams from last season. The men’s 1st team was first up at 15h00 and put up an incredible performance against WPCC. Leading 3-2 at half time there were never signs of any pressure felt by this side in its new league, as shortly after the break Wynand Grobler scored an absolute rocket through a well constructed penalty corner. Summies ran out eventual 5-2 winners, earning a bonus point in their first game back in Town Challenge. Congratulations to the goal scorers, Fred Davis, Jovan Du Plessis & Wynand Grobler for an awesome hat-trick. The men’s 2nd side playing at 19h30 took a while to get going against a very strong and experienced Pinelands side. With the half time score locked at 0-0, Summies opened the scoring early in the 2nd half through a fast break away goal which left the Pinelands defence flat footed. The goal scored by Mark Pickering was well deserved after the team had dominated possession in the first half. Summies then scored again shortly before the final whistle, through Wayne Hurst, to secure the win and deny Pinelands the bonus point. Both goals were skillfully setup by Barry van Niekerk. Other results from the weekend where; ladies’ 1st side won 4 – 2 against Bellville, ladies’ 2nd side lost 2 – 0 to Maties, ladies’ 3rd side beat Milnerton 5 – 0, ladies’ 4th side beat Conberg  2 – 1, men’s 3rd side lost 2 – 1 to Pinelands and the men’s 4th side draw 1 – 1 to Unicorns.  

 

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2008

 

District Mail (28 August 2008)

 

SOMERSET WEST 3rd's TURN CONBERG INSIDE OUT:

 

While the 1st & 2nd men's teams games had to be postponed due to a tournament taking place at Maties & the men's 4th's having a bye this past weekend. It was up to the men's 3rd's to make it a successful weekend for the men's section of the club. They did exactly that! Facing top of the log Conberg, who had previously beaten them 8 - 2 during the first round of games, the 3rd's had quite a mountain to climb. Mother nature wasn't on their side either, as it rained steadily through out the match. The game started well with Somerset dominating ball possession and having numerous shots at goal in the first few minutes. Eventually the deadlock was broken by Ryan West who cleaned up off the keepers pads and put one in the back of the net. Five minutes later West struck again giving Somerset West a 2 - 0 lead and the small crowd who braved the elements something to cheer about. However, just before half time Conberg struck on a quick break-away and the teams went into the break at 2 goals to 1 in favour of Somerset. The second half was much of the same affair as Somerset continued to dominate and look dangerous every time they entered the D. About 15 minutes in, some great passing & a few good touches later Craig Engela put the ball past the Conberg keeper making it 3 - 1. The game continued to flow at a fast pace and only a clever save from Somerset keeper Rob Klaarenbeek prevented Conberg from scoring their second goal of the match. As the game was nearing it's end another deft touch from Ryan West, putting the ball through the Conberg keeper's legs saw him claim his hatrick. This gave Somerset a 4 - 1 bonus point win. With the return of player coach Phil Beesley Somerset West have pulled off a couple of bonus point wins over the last few weeks moving them securely into the middle of the M5 table and out of the relegation zone. Well done and keep it up boys. Other results from the weekend were; the ladies’ 2nd side beat UCT 3 - 0, the ladies 3rd side hammered Milnerton 5 - 0, the ladies’ 4th side drew 1 - 1 against Durbanville and the ladies’ 1st side had a bye. This year’s AGM will be on the 11th of September at 19h00 at the club and all club members are reminded about the golf day on the 7th September. The club and committee would like to belatedly sincerely thank H Peters Painters & Sabre paints for sponsoring the paint and painting of the club house. Don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org/> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events (including the golf day entry forms).

 

District Mail (21 August 2008)

 

Great weekend for SWHC’s 1st sides.

 

The Somerset West Hockey Club first ladies’ and men’s sides both collected full points this weekend as they comprehensively brushed aside their opponents. The men began as they played Maties’ B side at Stellenbosch. This tense match was very evenly poised at half time with the score being 1 - 1. But, after the break our men totally dominated the game as they scored four unanswered goals to win the game 5 - 1. After this match the ladies’ 1st side played Constantiaberg at Wynberg High School’s astro turf. Constantiaberg, place below our ladies’ in Western Provinces highest ladies’ league were no match for our ladies who won the match 4 - 2, earning 5 league points placing them comfortably third overall.

 

At home, at the same time the ladies’ 4th side took another big step towards league promotion as they claimed full points on Saturday, by easily beat the ladies from Bellville Hockey Club 6 - 0. This result improves their record to three wins from three games, in the Western Province Hockey Union’s L5 promotion league. Giesla von Leipzig, the team’s captain said that the ladies once again thoroughly enjoyed the match and played very well as a team.  This side has now won eleven out of their twelve league matches this season, a record coach Paulo Velosa can be very proud of. At the same time on the Saturday, the men’s 4th side lost only their second match of the season 3 - 1 to Mutual CPUT. Like the ladies side, the men’s 4th side have had a great season so far wining ten of their twelve league games placing them second in the M7 promotion league by one point, but with a game in hand.

 

Other results from the weekend were; the ladies’ 2nd side lost 2 - 1 to WPCC, the men’s 2nd side drew 2 - 2 to van der Stell and the men’s 3rd side lost 5 - 2 also to van der Stell. This year’s AGM will be on the 11th of September at 19h00 at the club and all club members are reminded about the golf day on the 7th September. The club and committee would like to thank the Vergelegen Medi-Clinic for their kind sponsorship. Don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events (including the golf day entry forms).

 

 

 

District Mail (7 August 2008)

 

SWHC men fair well against UCT

 

The unluckiest team to date in the Somerset West hockey club, the men’s 3rd side played their best match of the season as they flattened the students from UCT 6 - 1. This match was the first of three featuring the Somerset West men against UCT on Saturday and took place on one of UCT’s grass field. After Friday’s torrential rain the UCT grass field looked more like a dirty ice rink. This meant that the two teams had to quickly adapt their games to the very wet conditions, which the Somerset West side did very well. The result of the match was eminent from the start as the 3rd side dominated all aspects of the match which had a half time score of 3 - 0. The fourth and bonus point goal was scored very early in the second half, meaning the 3rd side took full points from the fixture. Man of the match was jointly awarded to Francios Kilian and Sam Grier. The men’s 1st and 2nd sides then played UCT at the universities’ astro, both teams had below (their) standard first halves trailing 0 - 2 and 0 - 1 respectively, but did well in the second halves to draw both games, 2 all and 1 all. The men’s 4th side, playing in the M7 promotion league disappointingly waited in vain as their opposition conceded the game (and full points) to the Somerset West team by not arriving for the fixture. The ladies’ 1st side continued their rampage against the Western Province Grand Challenge league stragglers as they crushed UCT B 7 - 0, this result places our ladies alone third in the provinces highest league. The ladies’ 4th side playing in the L5 promotion league had a great start to their promotion efforts by beating the students from the University of the Western Cape 1 - 0. Other scores from the weekend were; the ladies’ 2nd side (missing to few players to the first side) narrowly lost to Constantiaberg 0 - 1 and the rejuvenated ladies’ 3rd side just lost their match against Unicorns 2 - 1. Don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events. 

 

District Mail (31 July 2008)

 

Great weekend for SWHC ladies.

 

On the same weekend that the Somerset West Hockey Club ladies celebrated their 20 year anniversary, their top three ladies’ sides claimed 19 out of an available 20 points. The team of the week was undoubtedly the ladies’ third side, who had battled so far this season to earn the results they are well capable of. Wednesday night was their first game this week, against CPUT from Wellington which they easily won 8 – 0. This great performance was then followed up by an even better result as this team then beat UCT 5 – 1 on Saturday afternoon. Both results were brought about by two solid team performances which have now moved the team into the leagues mid table. On Friday night the ladies first and second sides played at the same time at Stellenbosch Universities’ hockey complex, against WPCC and Bellville Hockey club respectively. Not to be out done by the ladies’ third side and go against their own seasons form, the ladies’ first side gave WPCC a hockey set piece lesson as they scored three brilliant goals from flawlessly executed short corners. The final score was a 5 – 3 win which was not a true reflection of the game, which was total dominated by the Somerset West side who did let through two soft goals in the last three minutes of the game. The ladies’ second side then round off a very successful weekend as they comfortably beat Bellville Hockey Club 2 – 1. The most successful ladies’ side in the club this season, the forth side who have won promotion to the L5 promotion league had a bye this weekend. Other results from the weekend were; the men’s first side (ravaged by injury) narrowly lost a well fought match 2 – 3 to Bellville, the men’s second side (missing their coach to provincial duty) dissappointingly drew 2 – 2 against a new look Durbanville and the men’s third side also drew their game of two halves, 1 – 1 against CPUT Mutual. The men’s most successful side in the club this season, the fourth side who have also won promoted to the M7 promotion league also had a bye. Don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org/> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events.

 

District Mail (19 June 2008)

 

SWHC Men’s Build on Momentum

 

Once again Friday night turned out to be a good evening for the Somerset West Hockey Club’s men’s first and second sides. The evening began with the fast improving men’s 2nd side, who literally ran circles around their opponents Milnerton for most of the game. Kegan Kingwill opened the scoring from a short corner that didn’t go exactly to plan, but end with Kegan burying a loose ball from the back of the D. Milnerton quickly replied with a well constructed field goal, but for Milnerton that was the end of their offensive efforts for the evening. The Somerset West second team then scored two more goals (another by Kegan Kingwill and one by Nick Moffet) but, failed to slot a fourth goal which would have secured the bonus point. Warren Bevan, the second team coach was not very pleased with the teams failure to score the bonus point, but was satisfied with the teams overall performance. The men’s first side (who played directly after the second side) got off to an absolute flyer as they quickly went 3 – 0 up against Milnerton’s first side, Milnerton did however pull one goal back by half time making the score 3 – 1. After the break the first side’s wheels fell off, resulting in Milnerton camping in the Somerset West half for a great deal of the second half. Once again, it was goal keeper Andrew Roberts who continuously denied the Mlnerton forwards to score the equalizing goal, effectively winning the game 3 – 2 for the men’s first side who now move into the leagues top three. On Saturday the ever progressing ladies’ fourth side won anther game, as they beat Pinelands 3 – 0, this result now puts the ladies side top of the log going into the second half of the season. At the same time the top of the log men’s fourth side played a new look Durbanville team, but this didn’t phase the men’s fourth side who once again dished out a hockey lesson and beat the visitors 5 – 1, earning their seventh bonus point of the season. In Milnerton, the men’s 3rd side controversially lost a well fought match 2 – 1 when a perfectly legitimate defection into the goal was disallowed by the home umpire. Team captain Phil Swart was very happy with the performance of his side (who have been missing a few key players to injury for a number of weeks) but, was very disappointed with the final score line. In revenge of this result, the ladies’ second side played the best match of their season so far as they beat Milnerton’s ladies’ first side (who were placed well above our ladies second side in the league standings) 1 – 0. This same side then disappointingly lost 3 – 2 to Stellenbosch on Monday, after they lead 2 – 1 at half time. Our girls totally dominated the entire game but did not take advantage of the many goal scoring opportunities they created. Other results from the weekend were, the ladies’ 3rd side lost 5 – 1 to van der Stell, the Masters A side lost 3 - 0 Pinelands and the Masters B side lost 2 – 0 to Pinelands as well. Please don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org/> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events.

 

District Mail (12 June 2008)

 

SWHC Rewrites Record

 

Forty - six goals scored in one week is by far the highest amount of goals ever scored in one weekend and is a new record for the Somerset West Hockey Club. The goal scoring ‘festival’ started on Friday night when the men’s second side came up against Cape Town Hockey Club, a fellow promoted team from last season. The first half was a one sided affair with the Somerset West side showing the potential this talented side has promised all season by scoring three impressive unanswered goals. The second half unfortunately was dominated by torrential rain which disadvantaged both teams, who only scored one goal each. This 4 – 1 win does include a bonus point for the team as they now begin to build some momentum. Player of the match went to Barry van Niekerk with notable performances from Nick Moffet and Garth Nell. Directly after this match the men’s first side played Mutual CPUT in very similar weather conditions for the first half, which ended 2 – 0 to our boys. After the break however, when conditions had slightly improved, the match was turned on its head as our first side hit their straps. The final score was 8 – 2, with three goals scored from three short corners (two pin point drag flicks from Gareth Millford and a great defection from Jacques Laubscher), two goals for Fred Davis and the rest shared amongst the rest of the side. Once again Andrew Roberts had a brilliant game in goal but, did not perform alone as the team’s overall performance was excellent. On Saturday the new men’s fourth side played league stragglers Milnerton, who were not at their best on the day. The match was totally dominated by our fourth side who lead 8 – 0 at half time. Nothing changed in the second half with the strikers scoring at will, resulting in final score line of 17 – 0. Ryan West led the goal scoring on the day with 8 goals, followed by Garry Thomas with 4 goals and Stan Peckham with three goals. This result places the men’s 4th side eight points in front of the next best placed team, line the side up for league promotion. Our ladies’ fourth side, not to be out done by the men’s fourth side gave the ladies’ from Milnerton the same treatment eventually scoring 13 goals to Milnerton’s one. Marika Joao led the goal scoring with 7 goals, followed by Sue Botha & Lana Rossouw with 3 each. Player of the match went to Alex Morelin, This same team then went and beat the log leaders UCT A on Sunday 3 – 1. In Stellenbosch (also on Sunday) the Somerset West ladies’ first side (playing in the provinces highest league) played against the Stellenbosch ladies’ first side. Our ladies placed second on the log behind the Maties side played to date, their best game of the season. Somerset West was first to score via Olivia Lane to go 1 – 0 ahead, only for the students to later equalize via a penalty flick which was very nearly saved by goal keeper Leanne Cloete. Maties then scored again to take the lead and eventually win the match 2 – 1. Gail Strapp, the ladies’ player/coach felt that it was only Maties’ slightly superior fitness that brought about Sunday’s final score, otherwise our girls matched them head to head in every department. This is only the second time this season that the Maties ladies’ first side have conceded a goal and have allowed their opposition to collect a bonus point for only losing by one goal. Other results from the weekend were, the ladies 2nd side lost 3 – 0 to Central, the ladies 3rd side lost 2 – 0 to Kuils River and the men’s 3rd side drew 0 – 0 to Kuils River. Please don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org/> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events.

 

District Mail (5 June 2008)

 

SWHC Ladies Steamroll Constantiaberg

 

The SWHC ladies 1st side recorded their fifth and most impressive win of the season as they flattened the Contantiaberg ladies team 7 - 1. This win keeps the Somerset West side playing in the provinces highest league, in second place. The match was a very ill tempered one with disciplinary cards being issued, but our ladies kept their composure and gave a hockey lesson at the same time. Player of the match went to Olivia Lane and the moment of the evening went to the goal keeper Leanne Cloete who made an incredible save, diving to her left to deny Constainitaberg a goal from a penalty flick. On the same evening the men’s 2nd side unluckily drew their match against Van der Stel, the team placed second on the log. Our boys trailed 1 - 0 at half time, then scored two great goals in the second half which the Somerset West team dominated to go 2 - 1 ahead, only to heart breakingly concede the match equalizer in the very last minute. The teams goal keeper Andrew Roberts, once again had an unbelievable match frustrating Van der Stel’s attackers who twice began celebrating a sure goal which Andrew then saved. On Sunday the men’s 1st also had a disappointing draw to Maties B, after our boys totally dominated the second half of the match but only managed to one goal which did level the score, after the Somerset West side trailed 1 - 0 at half time. Other scores from the weekend were, the ladies’ 2nd side lost to Western Province Cricket Club 2 - 0, the ladies’ 3rd side lost the Durbanville 4 - 0, the men’s 3rd side lost to Constantiaberg and the men’s 4th side lost to Wellington CPUT. Please don’t forget to log onto www.somersetwesthockey.org <http://www.somersetwesthockey.org/> for all the latest results, logs, fixtures and club events.

 

District Mail (29 May 2008)

 

SWHC men’s 4th side remains unbeaten.

 

The SWHC club’s newest team (men’s 4th side) won their toughest match of the season against the team from Bellville Hockey Club placed second on the log, extending the men’s winning streak to five in a row. Bellville who practice and play their home fixtures on their own astro turf met our men on Saturday, who had no idea they would be playing on a surface they haven’t practiced or played on once this season. The team from Somerset West was put under huge pressure in the opening stages of the game not having any significant ball possession, until they opened their the scoring with a great field goal scored very much against the run of play in the 10th minute. This turned the match and the fourth side never looked back winning the fixture 6 - 3, earning their fifth bonus point of the season with Ryan West scoring his second hat trick of the season. The men’s first team also put in a very dominant performance to beat league stragglers Pinelands 5 - 1, earning the side a very valuable bonus point. Other weekend scores were, the men’s 2nd side drew 2 - 2 against Pinelands, the men’s third side lost against Van Der Stell 3 - 2, the ladies’ 2nd side will be playing on Wednesday night the ladies’ 3rd side won 1 - 0 against Fish Hoek and the ladies’ 4th side beat Mutual CPUT 2 - 1.

 

District Mail (22 May 2008)

 

SWHC’s first teams lead from the front.

 

The ladies first side made it three wins in a row and collected a bonus point when they convincingly defeated UCT 4 - 1 on Friday night at the Stellenbosch astro. This team playing in Western Provinces highest league, started off solidly in the first half with the half time score being 2 - 0. However, after half time the ladies really kicked up a gear dominating all aspects of the game with the team’s young players showing some real future potential. There were notable performances from Robyn Pearson & Olivia Lane, but player of the match award went to the team. On the same night the men’s first side playing at the same venue, recorded a memorable victory after trailing 1 - 0 after half time. Somerset West opened their account with a well executed short corner finished off by Jacques Laubscher. With the score tied up at 1 - 1 a drawn matched looked inevitable until two minutes from the final whistle, when John Herman scored an incredible field goal, winning an important match against a strong opposition. “The boys showed some really character and ability to win from behind against the guys second on the log”, said Fred Davis the teams player/coach. The result of the weekend did however go the newest side in the club, the men’s fourth side. They beat Durbanville 12 - 0 in Durbanville, the highest club score so far this season. This team has actually not dropped a point thus far this season collecting wins and bonus points in all their games. Other weekend scores were; ladies’ 2nd team won 2 - 0 against Constantiaberg, ladies’ 3rd team lost 2 - 0 to Durbanville, the ladies’ 4th side lost 3 - 2 UCT, men’s 2nd side lost 3 -2 to UCT and the men’s 3rd side beat UCT 3 - 0.