Dragons outplay Vikings in Gryphons Senior Indoor Cup

Beaulieu Hockey Academy players took part in the U23 Gryphons Senior Indoor Cup on 21 November at Cliffview Primary School.

Eight teams played three matches each in a round-robin format.

Southern Gauteng Hockey Association president, Allistar Fredericks said the tournament also doubled up as trials for players to be selected to represent the Gauteng Gryphons in the upcoming U23 Elite Indoor Tournament.

A match that stood out on the day was the Dragons versus Vikings men’s match which the Dragons won 9–8 after narrowly losing their first two matches against the Knights and Wizards.

Both teams played without goalkeepers which created more opportunities for both sides to score goals. The first goal came two minutes into play from Dragons player and Fourways High School learner Travis Krumples.

Vikings player Gerald Mpopo equalised for his team before Dragons’ Marvin Simons scored a hat-trick and teammates Ryan Mann and Keagan Walker added one each. Mpopo and Rusten Abrahams replied for Vikings.

The second half saw the lead change many times. Another goal from Simons put the Dragons ahead by two, however, two strikes from Vikings’ Dalpiarro Langford and one from Jesse Salo had the Vikings ahead by one with minutes left on the clock.

As the tension mounted, Krumples equalised for the Dragons and Jamie Seale sealed the 9–8 win.

Fredericks was impressed with the standard of play and was hopeful the tournament could take place again next year. “The best players in Southern Gauteng were on display, all games were of a high intensity and quality, competition was tough all round.

“We will host it next year but most likely to fall under Southern Gauteng as the Best of Best indoor,” he said.