Uplands Prep U11 Hockey Boys Report
Report by: Calvin Dalais
The Uplands Prep under 11 hockey boys season began in April at the first hockey practice where the boys arrived wielding their hockey sticks and chasing each other around like any 11 year old boy would. It seemed like the season was going to be a long one, but when asked to play hockey, the potential was suddenly clear. Selecting the 13 players was not an easy task, any of the boys could have made the side.
We had a bit of a slow start where we only managed draws, but all things great have humble beginnings and we then went on to finish second in our division and met Penryn in a heart stopping play off for a place in the final. The boys played extremely well but just couldn’t score, and when they did it was literally a second too late and we found ourselves in an 8 second penalty shoot out. James Emery was in goals and saved 4 out of 5 leaving us with a chance to win it in the last go. Up stepped Luke Lourens, he easily went around the keeper and slotted us a place against Nellies in the Final.
The team really stepped up to the plate in the final and all played beyond what we had seen this season with Jay Jay Mathebula shining on the right wing and creating ample opportunities to score, which we took gratefully, winning the game 2-0. We were crowned Ehlanzeni champions and had one trophy to bring home.
Next, we were off to Middleburg to play in the Mpumalanga play offs. We arrivedlate on Friday afternoon, got settled in and had a quick trip around the town to bond. Saturday saw an early start with the first game at 7am. We came out guns blazing and walked away with an easy win with Samuel Black scoring the definite goal of the season, volleying a bouncing ball into the top corner. We carried on our winning ways and won 3 out of the 4 games. Our only draw was to St Thomas from Witbank. It was a thrilling game with both teams having shots on goal but keeper James was up to any of their challenges.
We topped our pool and were back home the following weekend and played another 7am game against our Lowveld counterparts, Nellies. They played great hockey and held us 0-0 at half time. Vaughn van Reenan kept the game alive by dominating the middle which led to us getting the winning goal with only a few moments to go, but it was enough to secure a place in the final.
This was it, what we had worked so hard for the whole season, we were here. The final was definitely fought between the two top sides with us clashing against St Thomas once again. I think all will agree it was a superb game of hockey to watch and once again we scored with only 5 minutes to spare thanks to a “Luke Lourens moment” first hitting the post but slotting it with his second effort. That was it, we had done it, and the boys had earned the title of Mpumalanga Champions.
A huge thank you must go out to Mike van Reenan and Paul Warrener who both helped tremendously this season and also to the parents who were also there every step of the way.
Congratulations to all the boys, it was an outstanding season and I look forward to hearing about you all winning it again next year!