Early goals help DSG to victory

DSG are the winners of the PE North tournament in the SPAR Eastern Cape Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge in Graaff-Reinet.

The Grahamstown school scored an early goal in their key pool match against Kingswood to win 3-1 and repeated that effort in the final against Union High, winning 3-0.

The winners of the 2016 version of this event, DSG became the first team to qualify for the provincial finals, which will be played in Port Elizabeth on July 27 and 28.

Coach Chris Hibbert said they had thoroughly enjoyed the day, which had been well hosted by Union High and the local SPAR retailer.

“There was a very good turnout and it was a great learning experience for several of the schools,” he said.

“I think our girls outdid themselves on the day and it was all set up by the match against Kingswood, where we started strongly.”

As the leading schools in pool B, that encounter was tipped as the possible decider for the section winners and Hibbert said DSG’s early goal had made all the difference.

“Kingswood are a really good side, but I think they will admit themselves they weren’t quite at their best in our clash.

“We managed to win 3-1 in a 20-minute smash-and-grab job, jumping on them from the start and snuffing out their big threats.

“Union had scored quite a few goals during the day and we were aware we would be up against it and needed to start strongly.

“Again, we managed to get the upper hand with an early goal and the final went according to plan,” Hibbert said.