139 This page is sponsored by: GEYSER DU TOIT LOUW & KITCHING INCORPORATED Attorneys, Conveyancers, Notaries and Insolvency Practitioners, Pinetown 031 702 0331 Pietermaritzburg 033 394 9091 email: andre@gdlkptn.co.za HOCKEY 1ST TEAM 2011 turned out to be the season of dreams. Preparation for the season star ted in earnest in late January with early morning training sessions tailored to make sure that the side was well prepared for the rigours of an overseas tour. These sessions created a tighter team bond and a unit that depended on each other but still allowed individual talent to shine. Buzz, Lloyd and a few of the seniors found getting up for these early sessions a difficult task all of its own. In Malaysia the side showed their potential to bounce back after a whirlwind 6-0 loss to the Singapore National side – a bitter pill to swallow. After this defeat the bus trip to the hotel was a rather quiet affair. The side soon came to grips with the extreme playing conditions: the heat and the ridiculously high humidity. After a few games the unpredictable Malaysian style star ted to creep into the Kearsney side and we went on to complete the tour without losing another match. This was a team that had the ability to box above their weight and the tour provided a great foundation for the rest of the season. Back at home the side had excellent wins against Westville and Glenwood. During these matches the benefit from the tour was apparent. These two matches reflected the team’s attacking prowess, netting 13 goals in two matches. The side’s high and low of the season came during the Peter King night league final. Kearsney hosted Glenwood and after a mediocre first chukka the opposition produced an excellent comeback to force a penalty shootout. It went Glenwood’s way, cementing our disappointment. “Captain Courageous” Dominic Koenig’s contagious enthusiasm spread through the side as he led from the front and expected the same from his players. His demeanour on and off the field was an inspiration to all Kearsney players, not only those in the 1st team. There were some impressive personal achievements during the season. Dominic Koenig, Nathan Pilbrough, Ryan Schmitz and Buzz Dhlomo all managed to pass the fifty caps mark for the 1st XI. Ryan Schmitz ended the season as the top goal scorer, amassing a magnificent 41 goals out of the 89 that the team scored. This is cer tainly a record that will stand for some time. Such a successful season is not a random occurrence and my personal gratitude is extended toWayne Marsden for his behind-the-scenes organisation as manager of the first team; Keagan Eccles the assistant coach who gives his best to promote the passion of Kearsney hockey; and lastly to all the coaches that put in the hard yards preparing players for the future first team. My gratitude is also extended to the parents who support their boys in the sun, rain and mist. Without you I don’t think the boys would look forward to a Saturday morning of spor t. Jon Robinson HOCKEY 1ST XI BACK LEFT: Z Beatt, G Broughton, C Kirsten, W Redinger, M Strickland MIDDLE LEFT: R Wallace, R Page, R Hawke, L Rennie FRONT LEFT: M Shadwell, N Pilbrough, Mr J Robinson (Coach), D Koenig (Capt), Mr W Marsden (Manager), S Dhlomo (V/Capt) R Schmitz
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