Madibaz, Tornados teams eyeing titles
THE NMMU Madibaz men's hockey team and the Gelvan Tornados women confirmed their EP premier league supremacy with hard- earned wins yesterday, virtually sealing the titles for this season.
In a match which developed into a tense encounter with a flurry of goals early in the second half, the Madibaz produced an astonishing burst in the final 10 minutes to register an ultimately decisive 6-2 win over the Gelvan Hurricanes.
In the women's competition, Gelvan were not as impressive, but also struck twice late in the game to snatch a 3-2 victory over closest rivals NMMU.
Darren Kimfley was one of NMMU's goal- scoring stars as he struck twice with lightning reverse-sticks in the first half to give the Madibaz a 2-0 lead at the break.
If it seemed the varsity side were in control, it took just six minutes for the Hurricanes to burst that bubble, Enver Amien deflecting a powerful hit into the circle into the net and Chester Scott finishing another move with a deadly strike.
Unfortunately for Gelvan, those two goals were sandwiched by Kimfley's third strike, but a 3-2 scoreline saw both sides suddenly in a fierce battle which threatened to boil over.
However, the umpires kept control and the penetrating runs of Michael Abrahams and Chad Cairncross in midfield often had the Gelvan defence under pressure.
They were finally rewarded when Dalan Philips smashed in a remarkable reverse- stick volley after a penalty corner rebound, and then the Madibaz powered home with further goals by Philips and Kirwin Christoffels.
The women's match was more closely contested and NMMU had much the better of the proceedings at times as they produced some well structured attacks.
This allowed Samantha Badman to score in the first half, putting them 1-0 ahead at the break, and although they conceded an own goal, credited to Gelvan's Toni Marx, they were back in the lead in the 48th minute when Christine Dorwood scored.
When the match entered the final minutes, NMMU looked as though they might keep their title hopes alive, but a double strike in rapid succession sank them. First, a driving run by Liezel Dorothy saw Marx finish off the move with a powerful strike to make it 2-2 in the 67th minute and just two minutes later Tammy Meyer sealed the victory for Gelvan.
