Old Boys take early lead

by Helge Schütz

Ernest Jacobs of WOB goes past Kadhila Shigwedha of DTS during WOB's 8-3 victory on Saturday. Photo: Helge Schütz

WINDHOEK Old Boys took an early lead in the Bank Windhoek Indoor Hockey Men's Premier League by winning their opening two matches, but defending champions Saints sounded a warning with an impressive 14-0 victory against Wanderers.

On Saturday evening WOB's national player Ernest Jacobs was the star of the show as they beat DTS 8-3.

DTS took an early lead through Krynauw Weber, but two goals within two minutes by Jacobs put Old Boys ahead, while Nico Jacobs added a third from a short corner to put them 3-1 up at half time.

Further goals by Ernest Jacobs and Siyabonga Martins put WOB 5-1 ahead and although Weber added a second for DTS, WOB were well in control to run out comfortable winners.

Jacobs scored five goals in total, and Martins two, while Hanganeni Shigwedha scored DTS' final goal.

On Sunday, WOB got another bonus-point win when their opponents Wanderers forfeited the match due to an insufficient number of players, and now head the log on eight points from two matches.

Saints, however, showed that they will be difficult to beat with an impressive 14-0 victory against Wanderers.

Two goals apiece by Isaac Fallis and Fagan Hansen put them 4-0 ahead at half time, but after the break Wanderers' defence started to crumble against Saints' relentless attacks.

Hansen went on to score six goals, while Fallis added four, Dakota Hansen two, and Owen Hatton and Nico Neethling one each.

On Sunday, DTS were pushed all the way before beating Premier League debutants, School of Excellence Hockey Club (SOEHC) 6-5.

SOEHC held the lead throughout, but two goals in the last three minutes by David Britz gave DTS the win.

Britz was DTS's star player, scoring all six their goals, while Kevin Kapuire (2), Delron Handura (2) and Giovanni Handura scored for SOEHC.

In the Women's Premier League, Saints matched their men's performance with another 14-0 victory against Wanderers.

Danja Meyer and Kiana Cormack led the way with five goals each, while Azaylee Philander added two, and Jerrica Cormack and Joane van Rooyen one goal each.

National captain Maggy Mengo, meanwhile, was in great form for a young DTS side to inspire them to a 1-0 victory against WOB.

She shone in defence and attack and scored the winning goal early in the second half, and although WOB created several chances of their own, DTS keeper Petro Stoffberg kept them at bay with some fine saves.

In the Men's Premier Reserve League, Saints I opened up a three-point lead at the top of the log after two bonus-point victories over the weekend.

They beat WOB I 6-3, with Keegan du Raan and Michael Kotze scoring two goals each, and Masters Colts 8-6 with Chase Landrey scoring four goals.

There were also big wins for Masters Colts who beat Masters Mustangs 12-5, with Siyabonga Martins scoring seven goals; Coastal Raiders, who beat Sparta 8-3, with James de Jager scoring four goals; and Saints II who beat Masters Mustangs 11-0.

In other results, Saints II and Wanderers drew 3-3, while WOB II beat DTS 5-2.

Saints I also took the lead in the Women's Premier Reserve League after beating SOEHC 3-1. Rachel Finch (2) and Hayley Schickerling scored for Saints, while Brenda Limas replied for SOEHC.

In other results, WOB beat DTS 3-2 and Saints II beat Wanderers 5-1.

In the Men's First Division, DTS remained on top after beating Saints 3-1, while second-placed WOB beat Wanderers 8-1, and Coastal Raiders beat West Coast Wolves 4-0.

The Masters Women are the early pace setters in the Women's First Division, and remain on top of the log after beating Saints 4-0.

Sparta and SOEHC, who are both two points behind, kept up the pressure with respective victories against Coastal Raiders (5-2) and DTS (2-1).