Grey High shade Pearson rivals 2-1 in thrilling hockey derby

In a highly anticipated schoolboys’ hockey derby, Grey High edged Pearson 2-1 in a thrilling match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats at the Pearson astro at the weekend.

From the start Pearson were placed under immense pressure, but they soaked it up well before hitting their stride and being able to create some attacks of their own.

As the match progressed, Grey’s well-drilled midfield proved their dominance with some slick passing which resulted in their first goal as Michael Molenaar converted a simple tap-in.

Moments later Pearson had a penalty corner of their own but they couldn’t convert it.

Grey then pounced with an attack down the left-hand side and won a penalty corner, which the ever reliable Xander Elkington converted to make it 2-0 at the break.

With everything to play for in the second half, Pearson forged an attack from stand-in skipper Landon Peterson, which resulted in a penalty stroke, and Emil Kook calmly closed the gap to 2-1.

There was plenty of tension as both sides went hammer and tong to make sure they came out on the right end of the result.

Kian Cambier almost scored another incredible individual goal after he seamlessly weaved his way through the Pearson defence before being denied at the last hurdle.

Grey managed to hold their nerve and ended as 2-1 victors, but credit must go to Pearson for their spirited showing.

● The Pearson girls’ first hockey team took on DSG, needing a win over their Makhanda rivals to keep their Top 12 dream alive.

The game was intense from the outset, with DSG showing early dominance in attack.

But Pearson absorbed all the pressure and were able to take the lead after a field goal from Nyssa Slabbert.

They then went 2-0 up after converting one of their penalty corners through a drag flick by Nuriyah Bell.

The game was a humdinger, though, with DSG getting a goal back to make it 2-1.

The Makhanda team continued to fight but Pearson’s defence rose to the challenge to hold onto their lead.

● The netball fixtures against DSG are always a highlight on the calendar and this weekend was no different.

With DSG being hosted by Pearson on their Summerstrand campus in cold and windy conditions, Pearson once again proved that their netball warms up any weather.

DSG came out with strong attacking play but Pearson’s defence managed to keep them out in the first team clash.

In the end the Pearson teams were victorious in 15 of the 16 matches played.

Congratulations must go to Pearson players Denike Oosthuizen, Giselle Pheiffer, Natasha Mbaye and Lana Strydom on receiving their 50th caps during match against DSG.