Northwood edges out Maritzburg College in a thriller on Pape’s Astro

Northwood were 4-3 victors over Maritzburg College in a thrilling encounter on the Pape’s Astro in Pietermaritzburg on Friday afternoon.

Coach Justin Collins’ charges bounced back in style following their 4-5 loss to Michaelhouse on Wednesday. However, they were also guilty of committing the same mistakes they made in the midweek tie.

Friday’s win was only the second time that the Knights had beaten College on Pape’s. The first time was in 2023, and Collins was also the coach in that encounter.

“I am concerned about the way we are starting games. We fell behind against Michaelhouse and we did the same against Maritzburg College. But the boys showed character. I am proud of the way they handled themselves,” Collins said afterwards.

The Red, Black, and White drew first blood after a flowing move down the left flank, which brought them the opener early in the first chukka. Five minutes into the second quarter, they successfully converted a penalty corner to go two goals clear.

What had looked like a comfortable lead quickly evaporated when Luke Allen and Aidan Potgieter executed a quick one-two punch to level matters before halftime.

Allen struck first, just two minutes before the interval, when he fired in a shot at goal after a tidy build-up from the back. Potgieter then converted a penalty corner on the stroke of halftime.

Northwood’s persistent attacks on College’s goal put the home side under pressure and the visitors were rewarded when they forced a penalty stroke. Ryan Herselman stepped up to the spot and converted the chance into a goal to put the visitors in front for the first time in the contest.

College chased an equaliser. Instead of scoring, they were caught out when the Knights turned over possession and launched a swift counterattack. Kyle White finished it off as the third chukka ended, and Northwood led 4-3.

Maritzburg College kept fighting to the end and it was a back-and-forth affair in the last chukka. With 10 minutes to play, coach Mark Sanders’ charges were rewarded for their valiant effort with a third goal. However, they couldn’t find another, and the visitors from Durban took the win.

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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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