The Chronicle 2022

recorded scintillating play and a dominant victory away to Hilton College. A part of this success must be attributed to the newly formed Balgowan Hockey Club where Old Boys and members of the community gave up their time to prepare the boys for their season.

There are many other nuggets of gold that were observed during the season – Junior Ncamani going from being a reluctant sportsman to playing two matches a weekend. Friday night lights is popular and witnessing rugby players on the astroturf enjoying the association of what this club stands for are some of these.

FIRST TEAM HOCKEY

T Staff Member in Charge: Mr Grant von Mayer Coach: Mr Grant von Mayer and Mr Matthew Binnington First Team Captain: Kamohelo Rathepe First Team: Tristan Hoyle, Jordan Baxter, Harry Moller, Oliver Brown, John Yeadon, Ross Rhodes, Kamohelo Rathepe, Noah Beddingham, James Gilson, Jason Lawrence, Tom Griffin, Anothile Nzimande. he 2022 squad was a close-knit team that comprised of passionate and dedicated boys. These boys – highly skilled - put in dedicated effort during an off-season that started in September of 2021 and included 5am running blocks. A culture of training is slowly developing amongst the top teams – no longer is it feasible to simply start training four weeks before the season. This season was a season of narrow margins. The team played in 14 matches, winning six, drawing one and losing seven. This included an unfortunate losing streak that seemed so elusive to break. The squad outscored their opposition over the season by 34 goals to 31. Heartbreaking goals were conceded in the dying moments of several matches, including two in the last three minutes against Hilton in both matches. Ultimately, this is symptomatic of the lack of depth at Michaelhouse, where boys in the first team simply don’t have the experience in those critical pressurized moments. After a fantastic preseason, the hopes were high for the season ahead. Glenwood High School was thoroughly dispatched after an entertaining match where Michaelhouse’s adventurous play was rewarded with field goals and penalty strokes. A brilliant display by Bishops dampened the mood somewhat after conceding six out of seven penalty corners. Fortunately, the team showed their mettle and rebounded by winning the remainder of their matches at the ISHF. The level of schoolboy hockey in Kwazulu-Natal is exceptional, and Northwood and Hilton College were deserving winners in the fixtures following the holidays. However, the losses to Kearsney and Durban Boys High School were bitter pills to swallow and were more likely the aftermath of the mauling from Hilton College, than being outplayed by better opposition. Then, the infamous St John’s College game – a match of high quality on a beautiful evening – began galvanizing a team that decided not to be victims. The team was rewarded for adventurous play once again and the swagger of March returned with excellent performances against Westville, St Charles and the return fixture against Hilton College.

spectators and coaches alike. The boys were encouraged to be fast and attacking. Fortitude was rewarded and flair was sought. As a result, the squad consistently succumbed to counterattacks, which at times cost the team the result. Ross Rhodes was an immensely influential player in midfield – frequently turning defensive positions into attacking opportunities. Harry Moller – carrying the moniker of The Wall – was simply superb throughout the season. Noah Beddingham, having come in from the cold in 2021, was highly underrated by the opposition and yet he was influential in breaking the line and providing the talented James Gilson and Anothile Nzimande with opportunities. Kamohelo Rathepe, who began the season in a dominating fashion, was influential both on the field and off the field.

FIRST XI HOCKEY OPPONENT Glenwood High School

RESULT SCORE

Won Lost Won Won Won Won Lost Lost Lost Lost Lost Drew Won

4-1 0-6 6-0 3-2 3-0 6-0 1-3 0-4 1-2 2-4 1-2 1-1 3-1 2-4

Bishops Cornwall

Helpmekaar

St David’s Marist Inanda

St Andrew’s College, Bloemfontein

Northwood

Hilton College

Kearsney

Durban High School St John’s College

Westville Boys High School

St Charles College

Hilton College

Lost

SPECIAL AWARDS - 2022 BUTCHER STICK - MOST IMPROVED PLAYER IN HIS FIRST SEASON IN THE FIRST XI Jordan Baxter

This was a difficult decision. Typically we see a clear winner in this category. Each of the players in their first year had contrasting qualities that qualified them for this award. I had to resort to a convoluted ranking system to separate the players. In the end, I considered this person to be the awardee of the Butcher stick. He has an awkward playing style, one where you never really know

This squad played a brand of hockey that was appreciated by

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