Schools battle for glory in EL
Unbeaten Alexander, Reddam hope to keep perfect record
ATOP day of school soccer was battled out at Beaconhurst Park yesterday as the SA Sports Tours soccer tournament played out its penultimate day.
Alexander Road High in the U19 boys and Reddam House in both the U19 girls and U16 boys are the top performers having won all their group stage games.
Alex secured their semifinal place in today’s playoffs, while Reddam girls will also do battle in a semifinal.
Reddam U16 boys head into a straight final today.
“Beaconhurst school have been absolutely fantastic in helping us host such a top class tournament here,” said managing director of SA Schools Sports Dale Wrede.
The only local teams in the draw, Selborne U19s and Selborne U16s, were both knocked out of the running and will be involved in placing play-offs today.
In the boys U19 division Alex sit top of pool A with four wins from four, while Pinelands High took top spot in group B with a 3-0 victory over Uplands High School late yesterday afternoon.
Due to Bergvliet’s 1-all draw with St Dominic’s Priory in the day’s penultimate game, it gave Selborne U19s and Thomas More the chance of sneaking into the semi’s by finishing second in Pool A.
Bergvliet, on seven points after a win, two draws and a loss, left the day’s final game between Selborne and Thomas More a playoff with the winner possibly making it through.
However, despite an exciting battle between the two sides, Thomas More claimed a tight 1-0 win which was not enough for either side and leaves Pinelands up against Bergvliet in the day’s second semi.
In pool B Pearson High sealed second spot with a 2-0 victory over Harvest Christian School in yesterday’s final game that pushed them above Uplands.
This sees Pearson set up a semi appearance against fellow Port Elizabeth side Alex today.
In the girls U19 division Reddam topped pool B ahead of Kimberley girls while pool A had Thomas More in top spot ahead of Hillcrest.
This sees Thomas More girls taking on Kimberly girls in the first semi and Reddam up against Hillcrest in the second.
The boys U16 division, with just a straight final, has a couple of games to play this morning to confirm the other finalist to join Reddam.
Lowveld, on 10 points, are the only other side in the U16s capable of claiming a final spot. They play Bergvliet this morning. Today’s action kicks off at 9am. The boys U16 final starts at 1:40pm and the boys and girls U19 finals will kick off at 2.50pm.