139 HOCKEY HOCKEY 1ST X1 Back row: G Stevens, G Oliver, R Baker, R Koekemoer Middle row: C Kelly, A di Marco, M Butler, L Jarvel, S Nortje, L Hewitson Front row: C Grinyer, M Last, Mr J Robinson (coach), R van Aswegen (captain), Mr P Kirsten (manager), N Ntuli Absent: D Griffiths 1ST XI The difference between winning and losing a hockey match is often decided often in inches and seconds and this year those inches and seconds came to haunt the 1st XI. At the beginning of the season shots at goals hit the posts regularly. The results of games were often decided in the last seconds of the game against Kearsney. No matter how hard the players tried, the team failed to produce the goods. However, the side never once gave up and on numerous occasions they showed grit as well as potential to come back from a dead and buried situation. As was the case against Clifton where they earned a hardfought winning result. Inconsistent performances gave the coaching staff headaches and the inability to close down matches, such as the Affies, DHS and St Charles games, when the side was well on top of their opponents, became a disappointment to all. The results do not look good on paper but there were fantastic individual performances during the season. Players who achieved personal goals this year were Ru Baker, Dylan Griffiths, and captain of the side, Ruben van Aswegen.These players all achieved their 50th cap for the 1st XI. Matthew Last had a fantastic season as a defender and lived up to his nickname ‘Silky’ making sure that opposition strikers did not have an easy time penetrating our defence. Ru Baker showed a much improved performance towards the end of the season and next year will have to make sure that he dominates proceedings from the back. The mid-field combination of Ruben van Aswegen, Alex diMarco, Garrett Stevens and Matthew Butler were most comfor table going forward but struggled when they were required to defend for extended periods of time. The core mid-fielders return next year and they should develop into a formidable force. Without Bili Ntuli the strike force did not have the fire power. Without him there were numerous matches where we scored three or more goals only to see the lead over turned. The senior players did themselves proud. Ruben managed to nur ture the young players and he was well backed up by the rest of the senior players. The boys remaining next year have a lot of potential and promise. The young players coming through the ranks: Lyle Jarvel and Grant Oliver par ticularly, will be able to add value over the next couple of years. The challenge next year will be to match potential with results. With grateful thanks to the Bean Family – Andrew, Catherine & Joshua
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