Congratulations to Old Unionite Kelsey Minnaar (Class of 2017) on being selected for the South African Women’s u/21 Hockey Team for the Senior IPT to be played in Bloemfontein between 26 and 31 August.
On Saturday, 10 August, Henzé Jaftha played her 100th game for the Union High School 1st hockey team.
To mark the occasion, Union’s Headmaster Mr. William Pringle presented her with a certificate prior to the start of the game against Volkskool.
The number of games she has played is an incredible achievement, the number of goals scored and saved is remarkable, but the way in which she has played the game is an example of grit and determination along with integrity and great sportsmanship, which is the most impressive of all.
We salute you, Henzé and a big thank you for all that you have contributed to the sport of hockey at Union.
Union’s 1st team ends 6th in Top 8 challenge
On Friday, 2 August, and Saturday, 3 August, Union’s 1st team hockey girls travelled to Port Elizabeth and Gahamstown, respectively, to complete their round of Top 8 matches.
The girls took to the turf against Alexander Road High School on Friday, after a solid two performances against Framesby and Pearson in previous weeks.
The girls set the pace from the beginning by scoring a quick two goals within the first five minutes. This was a great start and a strong message sent to the opposition that the Union girls had arrived to compete. Goals were scored by Jenna McNaughton and Henzé Jaftha in the first half.
After a re-set at half time, it was Micela Loock’s turn to put two more goals in the Alex box to put the girls 4 – 0 up. A lapse in concentration during the last quarter resulted in Alex putting two goals past Union’s defenders with the final result being 4 – 2 in Union’s favour.
The team then travelled to Grahamstown for the ultimate challenge – DSG on their home turf.
The girls knew they were in for a tough match, but none of them could have anticipated the intense battle they were about to enter into. With an absolute star performance from Sakhe Booi, the team faced countless attacks from the strong DSG forwards. Stirling teamwork and an immense effort from the entire team resulted in the half time score being kept to 0 – 0.
During the second half, the girls were presented with scoring opportunities created by Henzé Jaftha which were unfortunately kept out of the box by the DSG goalkeeper. This game definitely proved to be an equally-matched rivalry and although the end result reflected a 0-all draw, it was an absolute win for the school and the team.
The weekend’s scores resulted in the girls finishing 6th overall in the top 8 challenge in the Eastern Cape, a result they can be very proud of.
DSG went on to play in the final against Woodridge on the Sunday, to which they lost 2 – 0 to finish second.
“This proves that, with confidence, a desire to compete and win as well as a positive attitude, great results can be achieved,” said coach Alvin August. “Let’s carry this momentum through to the season’s final challenge this weekend when we take on Volkskool – nothing short of a victory is anticipated.”
The other matches against DSG saw the third team lose 0 – 5 against DSG’s u/15C team, the u/16B team lose 0 – 5 against their u/14As, the u/16A team draw 0-all against their u/16Bs and the 2nd team lose 1 – 9 against their u/16As
Junior rugby vs Herbert Hurd 2nd of August: At home.
Union’s junior rugby teams played against Herbert Hurd Primary School on home ground today.
This past Saturday, 3 August, Union’s u/13A rugby team played against Port Elizabeth’s Herbert Hurd Primary School, in what proved to be one of the most physical encounters of the season. Both teams took no time to settle in as fantastic conditions allowed for a flowing game of rugby. Union managed to apply early scoreboard pressure with a well executed backline move led by Alutha Wesi. Herbert Hurd did well to slow the game down in the second half, but it was too little to late with Union winning the encounter 22 – 5.
The other matches, saw Union’s u/11B team losing 0 – 44, the u/11A team losing 10 – 15 and the u/13B team losing 7 – 43.
Junior hockey vs Herbert Hurd 2nd of August: At home.
3rds vs 3rds: 1-1 (draw)
2nds vs 2nds: 2 -1 (win)
1sts vs 1sts: 1- 0 (win)
First team match report:
After suffering a 6-1 defeat against this school last year, the girls were somewhat nervous when taking to the field this weekend. This time the match was much more evenly contested, with possession changing constantly throughout the game. Although the girls managed to leave the field victorious after a soft goal from Soso Mroro, the match was rather disjointed and disappointing. It was a physical contest with both teams consistently breaking down play, and neither team managing to produce an impressive response. The girls are going to need to work a lot harder in the final game of the season should they wish to be successful against our inter-schools rivals.
Second team match report:
After a disappointing match last weekend the second juniors really stepped up to the plate and gave their best performance to date this year. They played tenacious, entertaining hockey that kept their opponents on their toes. They passed well between each other and worked beautifully together as a team. If they play like this in their inter-schools encounter, they will have every chance of success.
The goal scorers were Aaminah Steele and Tara Fererra.
Victory for Union against Framesby
The hockey matches were fast and fierce against Framesby on Friday afternoon, 26 July 2019.
As part of the top 8 schools in the Eastern Cape, this was a “must-win” for union’s 1st team girls in order to ensure an upward movement on the overall log as the 2019 season nears the end. The girls started off by setting the pace for the match with an early goal in the second minute by Leatitia Theron.
This was followed by a feisty goal from Henzé Jaftha and a third by the captain, Jenna McNaughton, in the second quarter. This took the girls to a comfortable 3 – 0 lead at half time. The third quarter enabled Henzé to shine again with two quick masterpieces, racking up her hat-trick for the match.
The final quarter allowed the girls to cement their lead even more with two goals from Micela Loock, resulting in a 7 – 0 victory.
The girls worked hard to maintain consistency throughout the match, capitalising on opportunities presented and keeping their work rate up for the entire match.
“This is a great start to a tough end of the season which is coming up for the girls, I look forward to seeing the hard work put in this season pay off on a high note against Alex, DSG, and Volkskool,” said coach Alvin August.
In other results against Framesby, Union’s 16B team beat Framesby 1 – 0, the u/16As also won 2 – 0, the 3dr team won 5 – 0 and the 2nd team won 3 – 0.
RUGBY
In Saturday’s rugby matches against Winterberg Agricultural High School in Fort Beaufort, the u/14A team lost 12 – 19, the u/15A team lost 12 – 14, the u/16A team won 36 – 14, the second team won 7 – 5 and the 1st team lost 14 – 31.
HOCKEY
Special mention must also be made off the girls who represented the school against Winterberg this past weekend – most playing against one team higher than their own ranking. The girls were successful and flew the Union flag high, with the 2nd team beating Winterberg’s 1st team 4 – 0 and the u/16B team beating Winterberg’s 2nd team 6 – 0.
The junior rugby and hockey teams faced Clarendon Park Primary School on home ground this past Saturday morning, 27 July.
RUGBY RESULTS
The u/11B team lost 5 – 33, the u/11A team lost 5 – 20 and the u/13B team lost 5 – 17.
In the last match of the day, the u/13A boys worked hard to put their opposition under pressure in challenging conditions. The first half was closely contested, but Union cemented their dominance in the second half to secure a 29 – 7 win over Clarendon Park.
HOCKEY RESULTS
A polished Clarendon side made a confident start against our 1st team and slotted home their first goal after only 5 minutes. This galvanized our girls into action and they soon regrouped and began to fight back. Shortly before the end of the first half, Union were finally rewarded for their efforts when Caytah-Leigh Koeberg and Leshay Fourie combined successfully to pop a sneaky goal past the keeper.
The second half delivered more fast-paced, exciting hockey and Clarendon again managed to score at the beginning of the half to put them one goal ahead. They continued to put pressure on our girls with many attempts at goal, but the Union girls worked hard to deny them. As the game drew to a close, Soso Mroro made one of her trade-mark break-aways, and the spectators held their breath as she stormed towards the goalbox with seconds to spare. An unfortunate foot fault at the crucial moment denied her the opportunity to equalize and the match ended with a 2 – 1 loss for Union.
2nd team lost 0 – 4
3rds vs u/11A lost 0 – 2
Well done to the hockey teams for braving today’s cold and wet weather conditions in Port Elizabeth. Union played against Pearson High School.
The competition was tough, but the girls gave it their all and worked as a team to get the goals they could.Today’s matches saw the 3rd team lose 0 – 6, the 2nd team 1 – 2, the u/16As 1 – 2 and the u/16Bs 0 – 7 with the 1st team drawing their match 2 – 2.
Congratulations to Chelsea Theron (photo) who played her 50th cap for the 1st hockey team in the match against Pearson today.
U/18 Interprovincial Tournament
During the recent school holidays – from the 16th to the 22nd of June – Jenna McNaughton and Micela Loock represented the EP u/18A team at an interprovincial hockey tournament held in Pietermaritzburg.
After five games, the team ended top of their pool with a goal difference of 23. Having successfully qualified for the semi-finals, they then pitted their skills against that of the Northern Blues. After this tightly contested match ended in a 1-all draw, a penalty shootout ensued, which the EP side unfortunately lost. They then contested the tournament’s 3rd and 4th position against Southern Gauteng. After losing this game, they ended 4th overall out of 12 teams.
Both players enjoyed the tournament tremendously and were grateful for the opportunity to improve their hockey.
U/14 Interprovincial Tournament
Grade 7 learner Sonwabise Mroro was recently part of the u/14B team that represented the Eastern Province at the inter-provincial hockey tournament held in Bloemfontein (23 to 27 June).
The team fared exceptionally well, especially considering that they were a ‘B’ side competing in the ‘A’ division
The team finished 8th overall among 11 ‘A’ sides and 3 ‘B’ sides.
The team’s coach only had the highest of praise for Soso, saying, “Soso had a fantastic tournament showcasing her talent and growing as an individual player.”
Well played Soso!
Emotions ran high during Saturday’s derby day against Gill College and Gill Primary School.
The day, which was as usual characterised by wonderful interaction between the schools involved, saw the matric 1st XV rugby boys represent Union High School for the very last time on home soil.
Many Old Unionites filled the stands to support the players.
Rugby Results
The rugby matches against Gill delivered mixed results, with the U/14s losing 10 – 20, the U/15s winning 36 – 7, the U/16s winning 47 – 12, the second team winning 31 – 12 and the 1st XVs losing 16 – 21.
Senior 1st Team Report
The first team match – which also happened to be the matric 1st XV rugby boys’ last one on home soil – was fiercely contested with both teams taking the lead on occasions. Union managed to gain the lead and maintained it until the last five minutes.
However, in a game where Union dominated possession and set phases, the Union players were, unfortunately, unable to take full advantage of the many opportunities presented to them, which allowed Gill to stay in the game.
The only difference between the two sides on the day was that one was able to take full advantage of their chances, therefore, in the end, it was Gill College that came out on top winning the match 21 – 16.
Although it was a tough start to the third term, the team hopes to bounce back in a spectacular fashion in their next fixture against Pearson.
Hockey Results
Union’s hockey teams had a successful encounter against Gill today, with the 1st Juniors winning their match 3 – 0 and the 2nd Juniors winning 1 – 0.
The school’s senior 2nd team won 8 – 0 and the 1st team enjoyed a 17 – 0 victory.
Senior 1st Team Report
Gill opted to play a match of 4 quarters which seemed to suit the Union girls’ style of play and saw the 1st quarter provide 4 brilliantly worked goals in favour of Union.
Union then continued to dominate the match with some slick and accurate passing and great finishing in the goal area. Three goals were scored in the 2nd quarter, 6 in the 3rd and 4 in the last quarter.
The final score stood at 17 – 0 in Union’s favour.
The Union girls put up a good performance overall and positive signs are showing ahead of some tough fixtures to come.
Union’s goals were scored by Micela Loock (7), Jenna McNaughton (3), Henze Japhta (4), Laetitia Theron (1), Chelsea Theron (1) and Jade Shires (1).
Junior 1st Team Report
After a long holiday break, the girls got off to a rather slow start, with some uninspiring play. As the first half continued however, Union eventually found their rhythm and began to play to their strengths against the determined Gill side. Shortly before the half time whistle sounded, Lisa Menos and Leshay Fourie scored an opportunistic goal to put Union into the lead. The second half saw Union stepping up the pace and dominating play. Soso Mroro and Chloe Erasmus collaborated beautifully to add to the scoreboard with a text-book perfect, field goal; and then Lisa Menos and Leshay Fourie again proved to be the duo of the day as they slotted home the final goal of the match, giving Union a convincing 3-0 win.
It is incredible to see how much this young team has grown over the course of the season and we can only hope that they maintain this momentum as we work towards the end of the season which culminates with the traditional inter-school’s fixture.