Varsity boys pull it off in Cavalier style

GIVING IT STICK: Kevin Bennett of the United Hockey Club dribbles with the ball during a Border League hockey match against Parkside at Kat Leisure Park last year. United welcome back three former members as guest players in their bid to win the KC March Trophy in East London over the Easter weekend Picture: ALAN EASON
GIVING IT STICK: Kevin Bennett of the United Hockey Club dribbles with the ball during a Border League hockey match against Parkside at Kat Leisure Park last year. United welcome back three former members as guest players in their bid to win the KC March Trophy in East London over the Easter weekend Picture: ALAN EASON
The visiting Nelson Mandela Metro University (NMMU) hockey team completely outplayed the Lakeside Cavaliers in the final of the inaugural East Cape Hockey Challenge at Kat Leisure Park over the weekend.

They returned to Port Elizabeth with a trophy and R3 000 in prize-money. They dominated the final, winning it 6-0 in a tournament which sponsor Mark Taljard of TA Sport described as “an unqualified success”.

The four clubs participating were the top two Premier League teams of the Eastern Province, as well as the top Border Premier League teams, United and Parkside.

The tournament started Thursday evening when

NMMU beat Lakeside Cavaliers 5-3 at Gelvindale astroturf in PE – a foretaste of the final.

On the same evening United and Parkside clashed, with United winning 5-2. On Friday evening NMMU swamped Parkside 4-0, with international star and former Border player Ignatius Malgraff slamming home a hat-trick.

Three games were played Saturday. Lakeside beat Parkside 2-1; NMMU beat United 2-0, and then Lakeside outplayed United 6-1, scoring six unanswered goals after United took an early lead through a field goal from Ishaan Vengadajellum.

In the playoffs Sunday, United beat Parkside 4-3, but

NMMU were simply too strong for their PE opponents in the final. Malgraff was again on the board.

“We had some good crowds, particularly on Thursday and Friday evenings,” said Taljard.

“Roberto Bosman of Parkside was adjudged to be the outstanding player of the tournament.”

The sponsor also said the success of the early-season event is likely to be the fore-runner to an annual tournament, which would in future also include women’s teams.

“I promise you, it will be bigger and better next year,” said Taljard.

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