After losing its first Western Province Grand Challenge match in three seasons the Steinhoff Maties Hockey men’s team has to start a new chapter in the club’s history.
The loss against Central a few weeks ago has been the first time that various players have lost a game in the league. This past weekend Maties got back on the winning track though by beating Fish Hoek 5-1 after goals from Keenan Horne (2), James Drummond and Reece Arendse (2).
Captain Dylan Swanepoel is not completely satisfied with the way his team has been performing in the WPGC.
“We have been very inconsistent. We have a young team, but this is not an excuse. We have put plenty of hours into our training and we need to reward ourselves better for all the hard work we do by being more consistent.”
One of the biggest league games thus far was against WPCC. Maties were 1-3 down with only a few minutes left to play and only scored the equalising goal with 20 seconds left on the clock.
“We didn’t play well in this game but we showed great character and mental strength to get a draw by scoring in the last few seconds.”
Swanepoel explained that there were a few players struggling with injuries at the time and that they didn’t play that game with a full squad.
He wants his team to be more consistent and not be overwhelmed by the pressure of being three-time defending champions.
“There is definitely some pressure, but we know we are a totally new team compared to the last few seasons, so there is no expectation for us to ‘defend’ the league. We are rebuilding the first team after having lost so many experienced players and we understand that things won’t be the same as in previous few years. However, we are still doing everything possible to make sure we give ourselves the best chance at winning the league again.”
This is Swanepoel’s second season as captain of Maties.
“It is special to captain such a talented bunch of players and an honour to lead them all to become better human beings and hockey players. We have a great group of guys in the team, and I really enjoy the responsibility.”
Next up for Maties is the USSA tournament in Johannesburg from 4-8 July. Their next WPCG game is on 20 July against Vics (currently fourth on the log).
AFRIKAANS
Steinhoff Maties Hokkie mans moet nuwe hoofstuk begin
Na sy eerste nederlaag in ‘n Westelike Provinsie-ligawedstryd in drie seisoen moet die Steinhoff Maties Hokkie manspan ‘n nuwe hoofstuk in die geskiedenis van die klub begin.
Die nederlaag teen Central ‘n paar weke gelede was die eerste keer dat verskeie spelers ‘n wedstryd in die liga verloor het. Die afgelope naweek Maties het weer op die wenpad gekom deur Vishoek 5-1 te klop ná doele deur Keenan Horne (2), James Drummond en Reece Arendse (2).
Maties is tans tweede op die puntelys na WPCC. Maties het nege wedstryde gespeel, vyf gewen, drie was gelykop en een verloor. “Ek is nie heeltemal tevrede met die manier waarop ons tot dusver in die liga speel nie. Ons is nie konsekwent nie. Hoewel ons ‘n jong span is, is dit nie ‘n verskoning nie. Ons het baie ure op die oefenveld spandeer en skuld onsself beter spel na al die harde werk wat ons insit,” vertel kaptein Dylan Swanepoel.
Een van die grootste wedstryde tot dusver die seisoen was teen WPCC. Maties was 1-3 agter met slegs ‘n paar minute oor en met 20 sekondes se speeltyd oor het hulle die gelykmaker aangeteken. “Ons het glad nie goed gespeel in die wedstryd nie, maar ons het groot karakter en geestelike krag gewys om ‘n onbesliste uitslag te kry. Ons het baie beserings gehad en kon nie met ‘n vol sterkte span speel nie. Met ‘n kleiner groep en swak vertoning, het ons steeds daarin geslaag om nie te verloor nie en dit het karakter gewys waarvoor die klub bekend is.”
Volgens Swanepoel wil hy hê sy span moet meer konsekwent wees en nie oorweldig word deur die druk wat daarmee kom om die driemalige kampioen te wees nie. “Daar is beslis druk. Maar ons weet ons is ‘n hele ander span as wat die vorige seisoene gespeel het. Dus weet ons dat dinge nie dieselfde sal wees as in die verlede nie. Maar ons gaan steeds alles moontlik doen om onsself die beste kans moontlik te gee om weer die liga te wen.”
Dit is Swanepoel se tweede seisoen as kaptein van Maties. “Dit is spesiaal om kaptein van so ‘n talentvolle klomp spelers te wees. Die geleentheid om in ‘n posisie te wees om spelers te help om beter persone en spelers te wees, is ‘n groot eer. Dit is ‘n besonderse groep spelers en geniet die verantwoordelikheid om hul kaptein te wees.”
Volgende op die kalender vir Maties is die USSA-toernooi in Johannesburg van 4-8 Julie. Hul volgende WP-ligawedstryd is op 20 Julie teen Vics (tans vierde op die puntelys).
