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KNYSNA | BITOU NEWS - Old Oaks Hockey Club's men's team secured its third win in a row last week, overcoming Wanderers, while the ladies team won their sixth consecutive game of the season to remain unbeaten so far.
Plett Hockey Club's sides meanwhile experienced a tough day against Crusaders.
PHOTO GALLERY: Plett Hockey teams remain unbeaten
The latest round of games in the Eden Senior Hockey League was held on Saturday 11 June, the penultimate round before a mid-winter break in the league due to the SA Country Districts tournament coming in middle July. Old Oaks and Wanderers were to take on each other at the Oakhill Sports Campus (OSC) while Plett faced Crusaders at the Knysna High School astroturf.
At Knysna High, Plett and Crusaders' ladies sides played first at 14:00. It looked set to be an uphill task for Plett's ladies as Crusaders were sitting comfortably in the top half of the table, but they stood their ground. Crusaders however won in the end, emerging 3-1 victors with Nicole Painter scoring Plett's only goal.
Plett's men's side was also in for a challenging game against a Crusaders side determined to climb into fourth spot on the log, a spot Plett were also contending for. However, Crusaders ultimately proved too strong for the men from Plett. Byron Shrosbree scored Plett's only goal of the game as Crusaders won the match 8-1.
While Plett and Crusaders battled it out, Old Oaks took on Wanderers at the OSC.
Once more, it was ladies first as Old Oaks took on Wanderers on home turf. The home side got off to a roaring start, blitzing their way to a 5-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Nick Olivier runs forward with the ball for Old Oaks. Photo: Robyn Hazell
The second and third quarters were quieter in terms of goals, but Old Oaks made their way to 9-0 ahead by the end of the third quarter.
A further three goals in the final quarter secured Old Oaks a 12-0 win. Christine van der Merwe scored five goals and Charné de Wet four, while Donné de Wet, Kerrin Klaaste and Lily Donnell scored one goal each. Old Oaks are sitting pretty at the top of their log, well ahead of the competition.
The Old Oaks men were hoping to continue this form during their game, also getting off to a great start. Old Oaks scored three goals in the first seven minutes, but Wanderers soon put up shop and shut out Old Oaks for a while.
With the score still at 3-0 at the start of the third quarter, Wanderers pulled a goal back through Brendan Keevey.
However, Old Oaks put the result beyond doubt in the fourth quarter by scoring their fourth goal to secure a 4-1 win.
Old Oaks are now in third place on the log, one point behind York High and NMU.
Plett will face Outeniqua High this weekend, Wanderers take on York, and Old Oaks have a formidable challenge waiting in the form of NMU.
Grant van Staden attempts to bring the ball under control near the sideline. Photos: Blake Linder
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