This past weekend the Steinhoff Maties women’s hockey team not only won its sixth consecutive Western Province title, but it was Maties’ 15th title since 2000.
It was a thrilling weekend for any Maties hockey fan. Saturday was the final match in the second round of the WP league. Maties had to win their match against WPCC after Somerset West earlier beat Conberg, to force a final match for the league title. Maties beat WPCC by 4-2 thanks to goals by Tarryn Glasby (2), Quanita Bobbs and Dani Cairns and so ensured a final against Somerset West.
All the previous games this season between Maties and its neighbors ended in a draw. Sunday Maties made sure of the win when Glasby hit the back of the goal-box in the second chukka.
It was an emotional day for Maties. Not only did they play for the title, but it was also Bobbs and Nicole Bartsch’s last game for the Stellenbosch. Co-captain Heather McEwan also might have play her last game in the maroon. “It was an amazing series and the perfect end to a wonderful season … maybe my last. I’m so proud of my team,” McEwan said.
Bobbs added: “I was overwhelmed by emotion once the final whistle blew, the league meant a lot to me and the team. To finally reach our goal of being league champions was a great feeling after such a long and hard fought for season that we had.”
The only year Maties women did not win the title since 2000 was in 2010. Jenny King is the Maties coach since 1998 and it was also her 15th title at Maties coach.
In total Maties have won the title 32 time.
Maties Women’s WP-league victories: 1973-75, ’77, ’79, ’83, ’85, ’88 -’93, ’95 -’97, 2000 ’09, ’11 -’16.
AFRIKAANS
15de WP-titel in 16 jaar vir Steinhoff Maties Vroue
Die afgelope naweek het die Steinhoff Maties Vroue-hokkiespan nie net sy sesde agtereenvolgende Westelike Provinsie-titel gewen nie, maar dit was ook Maties se 15de titel sedert 2000.
Dit was ‘n riller-naweek vir enige Maties hokkie-ondersteuner. Saterdag was die finale wedstryd in die tweede ronde van die WP-liga. Maties moes hulle wedstryd teen WPCC wen nadat Somerset-Wes vroeër met Conberg afgereken het, om die ‘n finale wedstryd – soos ‘n eindstryd – vir die liga-title af te dwing. Maties het WPCC met 4-2 geklop danksy doele deur Tarryn Glasby (2), Quanita Bobbs en Dani Cairns en so die eindstryd teen Somerset-Wes verseker.
Al die vorige wedstryde die seisoen tussen Maties en sy bure het gelykop geëindig. Sondag het Maties seker gemaak van die sege toe Glasby in die tweede chukka die agterkant van die doelhok tref.
Dit was ‘n emosionele dag vir Maties. Nie net het hulle gespeel vir die titel nie, maar dit was Bobbs en Nicole Bartsch se laaste wedstryd vir die Stellenbossers. Mede-kaptein Heather McEwan het ook dalk haar laaste wedstyd in die maroen gespeel. “Dit was ‘n ongelooflike reeks en die perfekte einde tot ‘n wonderlike seisoen…dalk my laaste. Ek is so trots op my span,” het McEwan gesê.
Bobbs het bygevoeg: “Die emosies het my oorweldig toe die eindfluitjie blaas. Die liga het so baie vir my en die span beteken. Om ons doel van liga-oorwinning te bereik na ‘n lang en harde seisoen, was spesiaal.”
Die enigste jaar wat Maties Vroue sedert 2000 nie die WP-titel gewen het nie, was in 2010. Jenny King is Maties se afrigter sedert 1998 en dit was ook haar 15de titel by Maties as afrigter.
In totaal het Maties as 32 keer die titel gewen.
Maties Vroue se WP-liga seges: 1973-75, ’77, ’79, ’83, ’85, ’88-’93, ’95-’97, 2000-’09, ’11-’16.
