KAT Leisure Park was the scene of exciting Provincial Primary School hockey action on Friday.
Teams were vying to become the Eastern Cape representatives at the School Winter Sport National Championships, which will take place in Durban next month.
East London once again provided the representatives, as Buffalo Flats Primary and Cranberry Primary schools claimed the boys’ and girls’ divisions respectively.
This is the second year in succession that Buffalo Flats has triumphed at the provincials, while Cranberry made it their third year out of four, after winning in 2013 and 2014 before missing out last year.
Last year was the first time Buffalo Flats took part in the nationals, and they did well, finishing third overall.
“We are extremely happy to make the nationals again,” said the Buffalo Flats coach Ismail Jogie.
“We made it last year, which was amazing, and did well, so we really wanted to do it again.”
Cranberry won the nationals in 2013, before finishing as runner-up two years ago.
Now both teams are keen to be going for more glory.
“We were champs in 2013 and runners-up in 2014, so we know a lot about the nationals and we want to do well there again,” said Cranberry coach Charlene Marajh.
“But we first had to win here at provincials, which we did well, and I am proud of the girls.”
At Friday’s provincials, Buffalo Flats Primary claimed three good wins to take the title.
The Buffalo City champs claimed a 2-0 win in their first game, thanks to goals from Hayden Simmons and Kaden Barlow, and a 1-0 victory in the second, this time with Jason Isaacs on the score sheet.
Their final match was against Nelson Mandela Bay champs Astra Primary School, with the winner set to progress as champions.
This Buffalo Flats accomplished well, triumphing with a 2-0 victory with goals from Isaacs as well as Kade Kock.
Their strong defence was a major factor in their unbeaten run and they will hope to defend just as well at the nationals.
“We have quite a few weeks of hard work ahead of us,” Jogie said.
“Last year we came third and we want to really try and win it this year, so we will be putting in a lot of training to get ready.”
Meanwhile, Cranberry powered their way to three wins to claim their title.
Two thumping victories of 5-1 and 7-0 put them in the final against NMB champs Astra Primary.
Astra defended stoutly in the match, with Cranberry dominating for long spells and they were finally rewarded with goals from Britney Gallagher and Zukhanya Ntilinska, to emerge as deserved winners.
“I was very happy with the girls’ performance and they are excited to be going to nationals again,” said Marajh.
“We would have liked a few more goals in the final but after they did so well in the first two games, they were a bit tired.
“Now we must prepare for the nationals.”
A whole host of sporting codes will be taking part in the nationals in Durban, with a large number of players and teams heading up from the region.
Buffalo Flats, Cranberry advance to national champs
Teams were vying to become the Eastern Cape representatives at the School Winter Sport National Championships, which will take place in Durban next month.
East London once again provided the representatives, as Buffalo Flats Primary and Cranberry Primary schools claimed the boys’ and girls’ divisions respectively.
This is the second year in succession that Buffalo Flats has triumphed at the provincials, while Cranberry made it their third year out of four, after winning in 2013 and 2014 before missing out last year.
Last year was the first time Buffalo Flats took part in the nationals, and they did well, finishing third overall.
“We are extremely happy to make the nationals again,” said the Buffalo Flats coach Ismail Jogie.
“We made it last year, which was amazing, and did well, so we really wanted to do it again.”
Cranberry won the nationals in 2013, before finishing as runner-up two years ago.
Now both teams are keen to be going for more glory.
“We were champs in 2013 and runners-up in 2014, so we know a lot about the nationals and we want to do well there again,” said Cranberry coach Charlene Marajh.
“But we first had to win here at provincials, which we did well, and I am proud of the girls.”
At Friday’s provincials, Buffalo Flats Primary claimed three good wins to take the title.
The Buffalo City champs claimed a 2-0 win in their first game, thanks to goals from Hayden Simmons and Kaden Barlow, and a 1-0 victory in the second, this time with Jason Isaacs on the score sheet.
Their final match was against Nelson Mandela Bay champs Astra Primary School, with the winner set to progress as champions.
This Buffalo Flats accomplished well, triumphing with a 2-0 victory with goals from Isaacs as well as Kade Kock.
Their strong defence was a major factor in their unbeaten run and they will hope to defend just as well at the nationals.
“We have quite a few weeks of hard work ahead of us,” Jogie said.
“Last year we came third and we want to really try and win it this year, so we will be putting in a lot of training to get ready.”
Meanwhile, Cranberry powered their way to three wins to claim their title.
Two thumping victories of 5-1 and 7-0 put them in the final against NMB champs Astra Primary.
Astra defended stoutly in the match, with Cranberry dominating for long spells and they were finally rewarded with goals from Britney Gallagher and Zukhanya Ntilinska, to emerge as deserved winners.
“I was very happy with the girls’ performance and they are excited to be going to nationals again,” said Marajh.
“We would have liked a few more goals in the final but after they did so well in the first two games, they were a bit tired.
“Now we must prepare for the nationals.”
A whole host of sporting codes will be taking part in the nationals in Durban, with a large number of players and teams heading up from the region.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos