The best of PE took on the best of Graham’s Town this past Wednesday in a game that promised only the best of both teams…

Going back to the previous 2 years of this fixture, VP were seen as the under dogs with a point to prove as Kingswood had won both previous encounters 2-1 and 1-0. VP, with perhaps a side that, on paper wasn’t as strong as previous years, went into the game hungry and with nothing to lose but everything to gain…

The game started off very slowly with many stoppages. Kingswood controlled most of the possession and did most of the attacking and managed 3 short corners in quick succession towards the latter part of the first half, VP defended well and we went into half time tied at 0-0.

Both coaches realising the need to capitalise and score a goal provided both teams with stern words of advice and encouragement.

VP obviously took the advice to heart and realised the need and desire to beat Kingswood at home. An early second half substitution brought damian Kimfley on to the field and with him, a sense of belief. VP began to string some passes together and dominate Kingswood, cutting them down at every opportunity and applying reverse counter- attack hockey.

This paid off when the ball was passed across the Kinswood D and Brian Upman was presented with a par post “tap-in”. Moments later and just before the final whistle, Damian Kimfley scored VP’s second with a quick fire back-stick strike to beat the keeper.

3 years it took to accomplish this, final score 2–0 to VP. A true reflection of what hard work and VP character can accomplish!!!

On Thursday afternoon Harvest 1^st team came to play Victoria Park high school. The girl’s took some time to get their head in the game, with the first half very disjointed. The girl’s had moments of individual brilliance, but were not able to put together constructive passes. The girl’s found themselves playing down the same channels and not getting back quick enough when Harvest counter-attacked.

The girl’s managed to step up the pace after the half-time talk; they played more of a passing game and pushed up more in attack. They were putting together better passes and about 15 minutes into the second half, Haylee Jones scored a phenomenal goal on the left post from a ball crossed into the circle.

Despite not playing to their full potential, the girls claimed a good win and we look forward to our next game.

Our second team played Linkside first team and claimed a very good win. Goals were scored by Kayla-Rae Bradfield and Robyn Larkin. Unfortunately our u14 C girls went down to Linkside, 0-2.

The first team of Victoria Park had to pull out all the stops to maintain their unbeaten record for the season when they clashed with Cillie on Thursday.

The talented Lonwabo Moss (fullback) opened the account for V.P. with a brilliant individual try when he scored, after a perfectly timed kick. The try was converted by Samkhelo Hlabeni. Cillie replied with an unconverted try. Shortly after this Samkhelo Hlabeni scored a beautiful converted try between the poles.

Just before half-time Cillie replied with a penalty to bring the score to 14 – 8 at the break. Straight after half-time, fly-half Dini Noyo capitalized from a Cillie mistake to sprint 50m for the best try of the match. The try was converted.

Cillie came back very strongly in the last 10 minutes and they scored a converted try to bring the final score to 21 – 15 in favour of V.P.

Victoria Park should be complemented with the brand of rugby that they play this season. They are prepared to use their talented backline at all times and have already scored 22 tries this season.

VP was off to a slow start, conceding two penalties and Westering capitalizing thereon to make the score 0–6. After a good build-up, VP’s scrumhalf, Samkhelo Hlabeni scored the first try of the match which he converted as VP lead  7– 6 at half time.

The second-half started with Westering scoring an unconverted try, pushing the score up to 7 – 11. With some individual brilliance from the VP fly-half and captain, Dini Noyo, VP scored an unconverted try from the opposition’s ten metre line, and from the resultant kick-off VP, showed great courage and determination in playing the ball wide, which led to Luyanda Nzo’s try between the poles. At this point, the VP backs and forwards had some great interaction play, which lead to Dini Noyo’s second try, to the great delight of the VP supporters, taking the score  to 24 – 11.  Soon afterwards, Westering was awarded a penalty, which they converted to make the score 24 – 14.  Due to a lack of concentration from VP players, Westering capitalized and scored an unconverted try, which lead to a nail biting finish, as the score stood at 24 -19. With only five minutes left of the game, Westering came with numerous onslaughts, however the VP defence stood firm. In the closing moments of the game VP had an attacking scrum on the twenty-two metre line which was wheeled to the right and Samkhelo Hlabeni saw the opportunity and scored a scintillating try between the poles, making it easy for him to convert. The full time score was 31 – 19 in favour of VP. It was an entertaining match for the spectators with neither team backing down, despite both teams sustaining injuries.

Victoria Park High 1st XV versus P.J Olivier 1st XV

In a mid-week game VP outclassed P.J Olivier in every facet of the game, beating them 50 – 10. From start to finish VP dominated the game. The forwards and backs combined well. VP showed that they wanted to play wide and that proved to pay dividends. They ended up scoring nine tries during the match. The half-time score was 35-5 in favour of VP. The star of the match was flyhalf and captain, Dini Noyo, who scored three excellent individual tries. Luyanda Nzo also ran in with three tries, showing great pace on the left wing. Other try scorers were: Siya Mente, Luzukho Sam, and Lonwabo Moss.

Victoria Park vs Westering Derby (1^ST BOYS’ HOCKEY)

Two of PE’s top co-ed hockey high schools battled it out on Saturday for early season “bragging-rights”. The game promised to be an end to end game packed with action and top school boys’ hockey…it certainly lived up to expectations…

Right from the first whistle it was easy to see both teams wanted to win. VP dominating possession and Westering forced to do most of the defending. Towards the end of the first half after numerous chances had gone a begging, the game was on a knife’s edge…half time score: VP 0 – Westering 0.

After a jam-packed first 30 minutes and wise words from the respective coaches and managers, the second half got under way. The game continued at it’s fast pace, VP controlling the possession but failing to capitalise on their short corners. A sudden stringing together of Westering passes and a rash tackle ended Westering in VP’s circle with a short corner. It was a straight poke hit by Josh Dolley which deflected off the first wave’s boot and into the top of the back board, after much debate the goal was given and Westering now had the lead, 1 – 0.

Showing their true Victorian spirit, the VP team kept their heads up and continued to accumulate pressure, Westering unable to maintain discipline were sent down to ten men. With 5 minutes left, a moment of scurry presented Damian Kimfley with a chance to bring VP back on level terms, and he never failed to do as he flicked the ball from an acute angle past the diving Westering keeper.

1 -1 final score. A truely action packed game that left many spectators, players and coaches smiling. The second leg will be hosted later in the year by VP – perhaps then we might see a clear cut winner…

Our 1st girl’s soccer team played their third match of the year against Westville, keeping their 3 – match winning streak by beating our opponents 5 -0.

The star of the match was debutant Martina Satanassi who’s first goal was a free kick taken from just to the right of the big box which curved spectacularly over the keepers head. Martina carried on in good form scoring her hat-trick with two more outstanding goals, one from another free kick outside the big box and the last goal was scored from a great pass into the box by captain, Nolu Mhlauli.

Right wing Maxine Bonnage utilized a first-rate overhead pass from Vuvu Ntozini and proceeded to beat the keeper and add one more goal to the rising score.

The final goal was scored from a spectacular build up starting from the back when Nasreen Astrie’s great throw-in reached the young right wing Kelly Walker, who played a beautiful cross that found Anelisa Tuswa’s feet. Tuswa took full advantage of the pass and slammed the ball into the back of the net.

Other girls’ soccer results from the past weekend:

U/14A lost 1 – 0 to St Marks. This was a great game played in excellent spirit by both teams. Credit must go to St Marks for the enthusiasm showed by their coaches, parents and players for the game.

U/15A won 1 – 0 against Lawson Brown. The two teams were very closely matched with both teams creating chances to score. VP had many opportunities to make the game sage, but was very unlucky. Inge Fankhauser saw her volley taken from just inside the big box come off the cross bar, before Sarah Rautenbach clinched the game with a shot from close range.

MATCHES vs CHISIPITE from ZIMBABWE (03 May 2010):

Our 2nd and 1st Girls’ soccer teams hosted Chisipite Girls High School from Zimbabwe. This was a historic moment for VP as this was the first International team to play our girls’ teams. The 2nd team match started in a frantic pace with teams threatening to score. For our girls, this match presented them with the opportunity to redeem themselves form a loss against Walmer High the previous Friday. The opening goal of the game came from Satesha Maistry who connected with a corner kick taken by Carmen van der Merwe. In the second half, Chisipite piled the pressure as they were looking for the equaliser. The game was settled when Maistry scored her second goal of the match from close range. VP won 2 – 0.

Following the entertaining match by the seconds, the first team took to the field against Chisi’ first team. The two teams were once again evenly matched. VP looked very threatening when going forward and created early chances to score. Maxine Bonnage opened the scoring following a great build up and through ball from Anelisa Tuswa. Bonnage had another great opportunity to make it two when she was played through by Tandile Namba, but her shot hit the side netting.

In the second half VP won a corner kick taken by Martina Satanassi, who’s pin-point cross found the head of captain Nolu Mhlauli who made no mistake to give VP a 2 – 0 advantage. Five minutes later, Martina made a solo run from deep in midfield and hit an unstoppable left – footed shot the found the back of the net. Chisi never gave up and kept coming forward. They were rewarded with five minutes to go when the scored a well-deserved goal. VP won 3 – 1.