The annual and very prestigious Raw Cup Challenge between Martizburg College and Durban High School took place on Saturday on Van Heerden Field at DHS.
The nature of the contest and the rivalry between the schools always leads to a highly competitive game and this year’s edition was no different.
Despite pressing well, DHS were careless in possession and this resulted in College having the opening opportunity of the game, which was put wide by their striker. This pattern continued for the remainder of the first half which restricted DHS to half chances due to poor final decisions and allowed College to be gifted some good opportunities. Despite this, the game went into the break at 0-0, with DHS thankful for their goalkeeper Memela’s agility.
After a strong half-time talk from Coach Bezuidenhout, DHS came out with greater precision and focus, shaking off the tension of the first half and putting together several flowing attacks. It was from one of these attacks that their Captain, Lindo Mthimkulu, tapped the ball home after some excellent play between Made, Jamarie and Mansoor. Soon after, Thyssen had an excellent one-on-one chance to double the lead but was thwarted by the keeper.
By now the half was being dominated by DHS, with College restricted to long ball tactics from free kicks to create chances. School could have a few more excellent chances but they failed to finish.
In the dying minutes College threw everything they had at the game, however, it was all to no avail as when the referee called time the score was still 1-0 to DHS.
School brought back the historic trophy and closed the chapter on a good season.
Steve Bezuidenhout
Director of Football
