The first soccer team of Grey College had to endure a couple of close shaves before they were crowned champions of the prestigious St. David’s Marist Inanda tournament for High Schools in Johannesburg during the weekend.
Although not rated as pre-tournament favorites, Grey adopted a “never-say-die” attitude and booked a place in the semi-final and eventually in the final.
They started off the tournament with a one all draw against Marian College. After beating the sports power house, St. Stithians (3 – 1) one would have been pardoned if you thought this was the start of a winning streak for the Bloemfontein youngsters. But, Waterstone College proved just how fierce the battles for honours were, by enforcing yet another draw for Grey (1 – 1).
However, Grey did enough to book a place in the quarter finals and after trailing by 2 – 0, they fought back magnificently to score three in a row for a 3 – 2 victory.
As if the guys from the City of Roses have not had enough nail biting matches, they were forced into a penalty shootout in the semi-final against the hosts, St. David’s. Grey’s last defense, Kyle Steenkamp (goalkeeper) was at his best and saved two crackerjack shots at goal to orchestrate victory (3 – 2).
The final saw Grey line up against Waterstone for the second time and it went down to the wire, once again, with both goal nets staying intact. Steenkamp saved the day again (normal time) with an exceptional save.
With a penalty shootout on the cards for the tournament title, only Steenkamp will know how he kept his cool, saving two more for Grey. Final score, Grey, 4, Waterstone, 3.
• Meanwhile, Technical High School Louis Botha and Brebner High School played in the regional final last Wednesday of the biggest schools soccer challenge in the country, the Kay Motsepe Cup. Louis Botha won (2 – 1).
Prove of how healthy schools soccer is in the City of Roses is that Brebner beat Grey (3 – 2) in the semi-final for their mentioned place in the final against Louis Botha.
