NWU HOCKEY FACES PRETORIA

Lesiba Dikhoba 

@lesiba.dikhoba 

 

North-West University (NWU) hockey teams geared up for their Northern Blues Hockey Association League games at the Tuks Astro, Pretoria. The men’s team faced the University of Pretoria (Tuks), and the women’s team played against Harlequins on 17 August.

 

Placed 3rd in their Men Premier group, the NWU men’s team aimed to make it two wins in a row and climb up the standings. Both teams squared off in their previous round match, with NWU winning 2-1 at home. 

 

On 17 August, the men’s team walked away victorious once again, with a 2-1 winning score.

 

Nico Neethling, NWU men’s captain, emphasised that every match is different and the team looked forward to the battle, “I don’t want to look at previous results because every game is different, and they might come with a surprise. Everyone in the team is keen to play because it’s always a good game against Tuks, so the boys are well prepared and ready for this challenge.” 

 

The encounter was held at Tuks’ home and the captain acknowledged the toughness that comes with it, “Playing on their field makes it a bit more difficult, but we know what they want to do during the game and we just have to counter them and come out as the victors.” 

 

NWU midfielder, Diante Gordon, said Tuks always had the edge over his side and being able to get a result against them shows their growth as a team, “I think Tuks has always been one up on us, but for us to start pulling up results against them is something that shows how far we’ve progressed.” 

 

The NWU women’s team are unbeaten in their Premier group, with a win and a draw in their 2 matches. The team is 2nd in their group and were up against 1st placed Harlequins. NWU player, Lizzy Poss, said that it would take determination to win the match, “It will be about who wants it more, who’s more hungry on the day, and who’s going to give the extra one percentage. We just have to stick to our game plan and go out there to compete.” 

 

The two teams played out a 2-2 draw in their previous encounter and Lizzy said it’s always a tough game against Harlequins, “We never know what kind of game we’re going to get from them, but we know they’re a competitive team and we’re excited for the game. We are going to focus on our game and make sure we’re prepared to do our utmost best to play the game that we’ve always known how to play.” 

 

The Harlequins ensured another round of tough competition, and the final score was once again a draw: 2-2.

 

Edited by Christinet Zaal