Tough going for Collegiate sides

Collegiate’s sports teams faced their biggest challenge when they took on Bloemfontein’s Oranje in their annual derby in Port Elizabeth at the weekend.

The Collegiate netball teams never have an easy run against the physicality and skill of the Oranje players, which reflected in the results – which all went the way of the visitors.

The lower sides showed grit and determination, challenging their opponents, and scores were a lot closer than expected.

The first team did their best to compete throughout the match, but went down 41-20.

The hockey teams fared better, winning five, losing six and drawing three.

With the respective first teams each having won a match in previous clashes this year, this showdown was significant.

Collegiate coach Andrew Beynon decided to go on the attack from the outset and the game was pretty even throughout the first half.

Collegiate took the lead through Taz Preller, who slotted home a deflection, following a well-worked penalty corner.

This seemed to spark the visiting team to life as they attacked constantly, scoring twice before the halftime whistle.

Collegiate levelled the score early in the second half when good work by Caitlin van Goeverden Preller saw Qhayiya Nogoduka tap the final pass into the goals.

The hosts squandered a good chance to take the lead from a penalty corner with nine minutes left.

Instead, Oranje were able to find another gear and scored three quick goals to win 5-2.