They did the hockey pokey...
...and turned the day around
Old Oaks Knysna Hockey Club's first men's team had already secured the Eden Hockey League title prior to their final game on Saturday 24 August, but was hoping to end on a high against York High School.Old Oaks's 1st Men's had won the league in 2017, but let it slip the year thereafter, with Quarry winning the title in 2018.
This meant that when Old Oaks 1st Men's got their season under way against Mossell Bay on 6 April earlier this year, they were doing so with the hope of winning back the league trophy.
They managed to get their season off to a great start at the Oakhill Sports Campus, demolishing Mossell Bay 11-1, while their second team swept aside Glenwood Invitational 3-1 as they were hoping to give the firsts a run for their money this season. The first and second teams play in the same league, which meant the two sides would lock horns twice this season, with the firsts expectedly winning on both occasions.
Both sides would enjoy a rather successful season, but it would be the firsts who had achieved the most success, as they managed to secure the league title once again with two games left to play, as they were far enough ahead on points at the top of the league. Old Oaks 1st Men's went into their final game against York High Men's on Saturday coming off the back of their first defeat of the season the week before at the hands of defending champions Quarry.
It was always going to be a tense encounter for both sides, but Old Oaks were expected to take the win as York had brought a rather young side to the game to grant them exposure to a higher level of hockey than what they see at school level. Old Oaks took an early lead as they scored in the first chukka (quarter), but this would be the extent of their dominance as the youngsters from York really made the home side work for their win.
Both sides had their fair share of chances, but superior Old Oaks' defending, and a stellar performance from the York goalkeeper, meant the scoreline stayed at 1-0 until the final whistle. This handed Old Oaks their 10th win of the season, fittingly ending off a season that saw them lose only one game, score 63 goals, and only concede
14.