Zulu players bolster Natal squads
Philani 'Pips' Mthethwa is chased by Paul Kingaby
Tarryn Vanderwagen finds herself under pressure from Mumcy Shezi, Bridget Shange and Andiswa Gumede
UniZulu's Moosa 'Millo' Xulu takes evasive action as eShowe's Dion Kruger crosses in
A fierce battle between Makhosi Ngcobo and Robyn Hardman, with Tammy and Tarryn Vanderwagen backing up
Lisl van Aarde
THE Zululand Hockey League had a short recess to make provision for the Natal Country District Quadrangular Tournament at Kearsney College.
All the Zululand sides did extremely well, especially the Zululand Women's A side who won the tournament and ended a drought of almost eight years.
One Natal woman and two Natal men sides were selected at the tournament to represent the province at the South African Country Districts tournament to be held in Nelspruit and Krugersdorp from 28 June - 6 July.
Nine Zululand women were chosen for the Natal squad: Liana Prinsloo, Karen Raubenheimer, Tanya Odendaal, Lisl van Aarde, Candice Withworth, Karen Leaity, Michelle Emery, Kate Mexson and Tarryn Vanderwagen. Players selected for the Natal men's A side are: Gareth Reeve, Darren Mitchell, Ali Franz - vice captain, Mel Lawrence, Garth Bishop, Brett Schwikkard, Vernon Franz, Theo Raubenheimer and Brett Horlock.
Players selected for the Natal men's B side are: Ebdon Gibson, Craig Campbell, Musa Xulu, Nathan Usher and Peter Westgate.
The tournament cost will be in the region of R2 000 per player and any sponsorship will be greatly appreciated. For more info contact Ailsa Blignaut on 082 5831522.
Zululand league
The penultimate games of the league were contested at Addison Park on Sunday.
The first women's game was played between Richards Bay and Vets who have become great rivals.
The match was similar to watching a tennis game as play changed from one goal side to the other on a regular basis.
The defence of both sides proved to be too strong for either side's strikers and the game ended in a goal-less draw.
eShowe and UniZulu played the first fixture for the men with the final score 5-0 in favour of eShowe.
Darren Mitchell scored one, while Alex van Wyk and Paul Kingaby netted two each.
Although the league standings for the men reflect an outright winner, it has to be said that both teams have improved in leaps and bounds and will most certainly be strong contenders for next year's men's cup.
UniZulu and eShowe clashed in the second women's game of the morning.
The tenacity and courage of both sides made the game an absolute pleasure to watch. It was played in great spirit and it was evident that all the players truly enjoy the great game that hockey is!
eShowe triumphed with a 3-0 victory.
The final match of the day was between the Richards Bay and Empangeni men.
As usual, it was a fiercely contested match and emotions on the pavilion and on the field ran high.
The final score was 3-1 to Richards Bay who are the men's cup leaders and, with only one game left for the season, are almost certain to be the Zululand league winners for 2008.
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