On the 27th, 28th and 29th of June, Riverside Hockey Club hosted their second annual Greenfields / Riverside Elite Club Challenge. This year spectators were treated to skilful hockey by world-class players in action packed games by some of South Africa’s premier teams. The Western Province Cricket Club Badgers (WPCC), Wanderers from Gauteng plus KZN’s Riverside and Kearsney Hockey Clubs all took each other on for the title.
This successful tournament wouldn’t have been possible without Belgotex Floorcoverings who are suppliers of Greenfields Turf, the turf of choice at the recent Hockey World Cup held in Holland. Unbeaten during the three days, WPCC, who racked up bonus points for scoring more than four goals per game in two out of three matches, were the victorious team. Riverside HC ended in second place, first timers, Kearsney HC, came third and Gauteng’s Wanderers fourth. The final points log was:
• WPCC Badgers – 11
• Riverside Hockey Club – 5
• Kearsney Hockey Club – 3
• Wanderers – 2
Front row/kneeling/sitting – Keagan Robinson, Tim Drummond, Calvin Price, Mike Wiggett, Sean Baxter, Richard Pentecost, Mondli Dlamini, Matt Fairweather, Taine Paton
Photo by: Greg Labuscagne
The winning team received R8000 in prize money while the top goal scorer, Lloyd Norris-Jones, and player of the tournament (voted by the players), Wade Paton, each received R1000 cheques from the sponsors.
As the country’s only national, non-tertiary, inter-club hockey tournament the event attracts some of South Africa’s top players who compete regularly on the national and international hockey circuit. Of the 69 players in this year’s four squads, 23 are fully capped South African internationals including well-known players, Gowan Jones and Matt Botha who only had good things to say about the event. Both agreed that, ‘the Greenfields/Riverside Elite Club Challenge was definitely a world class event’. Other highlights included the half time spectators’ challenge and the prize giving.
Ayden Shrives, manager at Belgotex Floorcoverings, said, “The weekend summed up what the game of hockey is all about; competitive club competition with lots of goals, great skill and comradeship both on and off the field. As South Africa’s leading sports flooring company and Riverside being a prominent hockey club, we can now say that we have the country’s leading national club tournament. This event will be even bigger and better next year and we aim to keep encouraging elite hockey players from outside the tertiaries to remain interested, focused and challenged in the game of hockey. Well done to Riverside Sports for a professionally and well-run challenge.”
According to Riverside Sports’ CEO, Roger Gardner, this tournament was for all players to enjoy themselves. “These championship games expose players to other teams outside the province and how competitive they can be, equipping them with the skills and mindset to play in international games. But not forgetting what’s important, to be competitive but also to enjoy themselves while doing what they love,” he said.
In addition to the elite tournament, RHC also ran a series of junior matches for their Reach Programme (sponsored by Varsity College) which exposes promising young players to high level training and match situations. Alan Timms, Head of Junior Hockey at Riverside, said the Greenfields / Riverside Elite Club Challenge was the perfect place for these young players to see and then enjoy the opportunity of emulating their heroes in action.
Photos by: Greg Labuscagne
Pates makes the best cover boy for any Article.
Cool Article about hockey, nice to see it getting some exposure
Thanks for the great pics Greg, always nice to have your pics at games