Raw Cup : DHS vs College

The Raw Cup
The Raw Cup
Raw Cup DHS vs College : 9 September 2017 at College
 
The 2017 game at College promised to be a tight match as both teams were looking for a much needed win after heavy defeats against Glenwood.
 
DHS and Maritzburg College began to replay the Raw Cup challenge in 2008. College won this first game and the results since have been 2009 DHS, 2010 DHS, 2011 College, 2012 College, 2013 DHS, 2014 DHS, 2015 College, 2016 DHS … a 5-to-4 win for DHS.
 
The match began with a moment of silence for the Michaelhouse soccer player, Themba Dloti, who died after their team bus overturned five days previously. Black armbands were worn by both teams as a mark of respect.
 
The whistle sounded to begin the match and both sets of supporters set off with cheering and singing from the packed stands. The match began at a fast pace with both goalkeepers being kept busy from the start. DHS were awarded one free kick with a yellow going to Zondi from College, the ref stamping his authority on the match early on.
 
In the 20th minute a through ball from midfield from DHS was picked up by DHS Captain, Elliot, who turned 180 degrees, striking the ball cleanly but pushed out for a corner by the alert College goalkeeper. From the resulting corner the ball was knocked away by a College defender but not far enough and was pounced on by Blake who drove it into the back of the College net.
 
College kicked off and were attacking the DHS goal with purpose. A comer from the intense pressure resulted in a clearance from the DHS defence and this was picked up by a College midfielder who drove the ball past DHS goalkeeper, Terblanche, who had not adjusted his position yet from the corner. The ball looked like it was going in and all supporters held their collective breathe but just on the goal line DHS defender, Hendricks, managed to clear the ball to save a certain goal.
 
Both College coach, Mark Trout, and DHS coach, Billie Kamlanje, were trying to stay composed, hoping that this would rub off onto both teams and avoid a panic situation from arising. College kept probing but DHS were strong in defence when the halftime whistle blew.
 
In the 2nd half, College came back the stronger side and eventually in the 40th minute got their equaliser off their number 7 and captain, Mudali. Game on!!
 
A midfield battle ensued and it was looking like the game would be decided by the dreaded penalty shootout but in the 55th minute College no 6 Phungula had other ideas and drove the ball home to put College in the lead. DHS had slightly more possession but could not break through the College team who changed strategy from attacking soccer to more defensive to hold on to their one goal advantage.
 
Finally the moment came when the referee blew the final whistle. The DHS players played their hearts out but the luck of the bounce of the ball was on College’s side that and they jumped up and down in celebration.
 
DHS were gracious in defeat and formed a guard of honour and clapped the victorious College team off the field with College returning the compliment.
 
The trophy was presented to the winning captain by Mr Jeremy Oddy, the former DHS archivist, who gave a brief history of the trophy to both teams.
 
The win brings the number of wins to 5-all to, with 2018 being the year when DHS will host the return leg. The trophy will be 129 years old by then.
 
Stef Crasso
M-i-C : Soccer
The 1st XI
The 1st XI

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