Kearsney claim hockey title

Kearsney College have beaten Northwood 5-2 in the final of the 2013 Peter King Night Hockey League in an exciting, free-flowing game which was finally decided by a penalty shootout.

The game proved to be a tough and exciting encounter. Northwood, currently ranked as the top KZN team, took the game to Kearsney in the first chukka with 11 circle entries, compared to Kearsney’s one. Northwood’s Matt de Sousa turned the Kearsney defence inside out on numerous occasions, but Northwood failed to take their chances.

Dylan Middleton in goals, backed up by some solid defending, kept Northwood at bay. Three minutes before the end of the first chukka, Northwood were rewarded for their efforts when they were awarded a penalty corner. A composed De Sousa converted the one-on-one penalty to give Northwood the lead.

Having weathered the storm, Kearsney came out a lot more confident in the second chukka and went looking for the equaliser. Bili Ntuli went on a few excellent attacking runs into the Northwood 22-yard area, keeping the solid Northwood defence on their toes. Halfway into the second chukka Kearsney created an opening and were awarded a penalty corner which Ryan Wallace converted. Both sides were playing extremely positive hockey which resulted in an open, free-flowing game.

In the third chukka, with the scores now even and all to play for, both sides made every effort to gain an advantage. Eventually the Kearsney defence were found wanting and gave away a penalty which De Sousa converted. The never-say-die attitude of the men in maroon made for a thrilling finish and, with 40 seconds remaining, Dylan Griffiths managed to find some space in the circle and scored a goal to clinch a draw and set up a penalty shootout.

Dylan Middleton in the Kearsney goal rounded off an excellent evening, saving all three of Northwood’s first attempts; whilst the Kearsney players, Ryan Wallace and Kyle Madsen, managed to convert their first two penalties. It was then left up to Bili Ntuli to score the decider and secure the win. He calmly converted his penalty which resulted in Kearsney College becoming the 2013 Night League champions.

The last time Kearsney won the trophy was in 2006 - the inaugural year of the competition.

Goal scorers - Match:

Northwood: Matt de Sousa (2)
Kearsney:  Ryan Wallace (1), Dylan Griffiths (1)

Goal scorers - Penalty shootout:

Ryan Wallace, Kyle Madsen, Bili Ntuli (Kearsney)

- Andre Bloem

Twitter - @SportswaveAndre