Northwood lit up the evening, overturning a 1-2 deficit to score a scintillating 3-2 win over Michaelhouse in a Friday Nite Lights clash on the Punchbowl Astro, in Balgowan.

Luc Boyall, Caleb Phipson, and Ryan Herselman were on target for Northwood, with a goal each.

“I am very proud of the determination shown by the boys as they fought hard for a late goal which provided us with the 3-2 win,” Justin Collins, the Northwood coach, told Supersport Schools Plus, after the game.

“We have had an unlucky set of results recently and this win has helped us to build up momentum again for the upcoming fixtures.”

Both sides had their chances to take the lead in the opening chukka. As Collins put it: “It was a very tightly contested game, with momentum being shifted constantly between the two sides.” However, neither outfit found a breakthrough and the quarter ended with the scores tied 0-0.

Michaelhouse was causing problems for Northwood via the right flank with increasing frequency. The hosts ran hard on that side and made several circle entries, and from one of those runs, they earned themselves a penalty stroke for a stick tackle that prevented a shot. Gordon Deutscher converted it to put the boys in red and white ahead.

Northwood immediately sought to restore parity and their offensive forays eventually paid dividends when Luc Boyall finished a PC variation six minutes before the end of the second chukka.

The Knights went behind again, however, when they were caught out a second before the end of the third chukka. They appeared to be clock-watching when Michaelhouse turned over possession just outside the Northwood circle. One pass, and a good reception and turn, opened up the shot that edged them in front once more.

With less than five minutes left in the match, it looked as if the contest would finish 2-1 in favour of Michaelhouse. Northwood was giving it their all, but the ‘House defence stood firm.

However, with only three minutes remaining, the Durban school won a penalty corner and, with a cleanly executed slip to the left, followed by a ball to the far post, they were back on level terms through Caleb Phipson’s smart finish.

Less than a minute later, Northwood found the winning goal after they regained possession immediately after losing it in Michaelhouse’s final third. After the ball was centred, Ryan Herselman fired off a quick shot, picked up the stopped shot, and bundled the ball over the line to snatch victory for the Knights, who had lost 4-5 to Michaelhouse at the same venue in March.

“Michaelhouse was a very strong and structured team, who were very well coached,” Northwood coach Justin Collins said.

“It was a very enjoyable game to watch, and we are grateful for the accommodation that they provided.”

RESULT

Northwood 3-2 Michaelhouse

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CS Chiwanza

CS Chiwanza is a former poet and now a full-time storyteller of Southern African sports. He jokes that those who can't do a thing well enough either teach or write. He knows the right way to hold a cricket bat and the right grip for the wobbleball, but can't do either well enough to be picked for a good team. So he writes. However, he mastered the best dart grip and spends hours stat-padding against his wife and kids.

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