The absolutely massive Varsity Hockey muscle-up between the Highveld’s hockey heavyweights – UJ and Tuks – more than lived up to the pundits’ expectations Saturday afternoon.
It was a pulsating first quarter … and that’s the way it stayed throughout yet another classic clash chock-full of the spectrum of emotions.
The end result was a 4-2 triumph for the University of Johannesburg after the scoreboard had reflected a 2-2 outcome in the first half.
The Maties Hockey Astro arena was filling up with fans by the minute – most in anticipation of the Stellenbosch University’s marquee match-up with Wits in the day’s late game, but the “early” arrivals were treated to another swordfight to savour.
Tuks were hamstrung once again by the loss of the superbly skilled SA striker Richard Pautz, who sat out the entire match, this after his injury-enforced absence for more than half of the Pretoria institution’s comprehensive defeat at the hands of a rampant Maties the day before had no doubt played a significant role in that particular setback for the 2015 University Sport South Africa (USSA) champions.
However, there was also another factor that contributed to Tuks’ demise in this absorbing fixture.
The marked distance between Tuks’ three lines – defence, midfield and forwards – played into UJ’s hands as turnovers from deep left valuable space for the EGoli lads to launch telling counter-attacks.
The UJ win has left them with a flawless six maximums from their six outings to date. And, with just one league match still to play – against Madibaz at 3.15pm Sunday – those 18 log points over the span of the UJ and Maties legs of this hockey calendar highlight may well be enough to earn a berth in Monday’s 6.45pm second semi-final.
That would be against the team that ends Sunday’s final round of the league phase in fourth position.
Hypothesizing further, UJ’s likely top spot on the log come Sunday’s wrap-up of the league means that if they win that 6.45pm second semi-final Monday, the title match for the right to be crowned undisputed Kings of Varsity Hockey 2016 will be at the University of Johannesburg.
However, seasoned observers of this magnificent sport will quickly tell you that nothing is certain in a semi-final. It all depends on who brings their A-game to the party … And who wants victory the most.
UJ’s breaches of Tuks’ goal line Saturday afternoon came from Gerald Mpopo and Bryn Cleak in open play, superbly backed up by penalty corner strikes via the trusty blades of skipper Heyns and Nicolas Rowe.
Tuks troubled the scorekeepers with first-half action goals by Stephen Cant and Ashley Kemp.
REMAINING FIXTURES AT MATIES ASTRO
Sunday 15-May
13:30 Tuks vs Wits
15:15 UJ vs Madibaz
17:00 Kovsies vs NWU Puk
18:45 Maties vs UCT
Monday 16-May
13:30 Position 7 vs Position 8
15:15 Position 5 vs Position 6
17:00 Position 2 vs Position 3
18:45 Position 1 vs Position 4
Come and enjoy a hot Mugg & Bean coffee!
FNB Player of the Match: Gerald Mpopo (UJ)
Mugg & Bean Star Saver: Hendrik Kriek (Tuks)
Samsung Super Striker: Ashley Kemp (Tuks)
By Jonathan Cook
