Over the long weekend, the U17 hockey team represented St Mary’s at the U17 Top Schools’ Tournament which was held at Paarl Gimnasium. Having not played a tournament for almost two years, owing to Covid-19, the players were raring to go and test themselves against many of the best hockey teams in the country.

The format of the tournament was a tough one. Each team played five pool games followed by two cross-pool matches. We got off to a great start winning the first three pool games but then, unfortunately, lost a very close game to Collegiate in our third game of the second day. We met eventual finalists, Eunice, next and unfortunately also came off second best which left us playing for positions 5-8 in the cross-pool playoffs.

Despite having played five tough matches already, the team put together two great performances to end the tournament in 5th position.

The tournament was a great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

St Mary’s match results:
v Bloemhof won 1-0
v Paarl Invitational XI won 3-0
v Durban Girls’ College won 2-0
v Collegiate lost 0-2
v Eunice lost 1-4
v Pearson won 2-1
v Clarendon won 2-0

CINDY BROWN
HEAD OF HOCKEY