Hillcrest High School delivered a commanding performance against St Francis College, securing a 38–5 victory at the St Dunstan’s Easter Sports Festival on April 17.
Despite both teams playing their fourth match of the day, Hillcrest showed no signs of slowing down, taking early control of the game and maintaining momentum until the final whistle.
St Francis struggled from the outset, failing to hold their formation in the first quarter. Hillcrest capitalised on the disarray, racking up eight goals before St Francis managed to respond with a single point.
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Though a bit sluggish at times, Hillcrest’s dominance was evident.
“We were tired. This was our fourth game, but we pushed through and got a good score,” said Hillcrest captain Lola Klijnstra. “We jus need to keep playing our game, push harder, and hopefully win our upcoming matches.”
Hillcrest extended their lead in the second quarter, adding five more goals while St Francis fought back with two. The score stood at 13–5 in Hillcrest’s favour going into the break.
St Francis College coach Sharon Skhosana acknowledged her team’s struggles: “This was a difficult game. The girls didn’t bring the energy and focus we practised during training. There was poor defence and too many errors, but I believe in them, and I know they can do better.”
The third quarter sealed St Francis’ fate as Hillcrest surged with 18 unanswered goals. St Francis, hindered by stepping violations and late passes, managed only one goal in response. The third quarter ended with a crushing 31–4 scoreline.
In the final quarter, both teams gave it their all. St Francis added one more goal, but Hillcrest continued their aggressive play, scoring another seven and ending the match 38–5.
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Coach Taylor Adlam praised her Hillcrest squad despite the demanding schedule.
“It was a great game. The girls were a little frazzled by the slower pace of the other team, but I’m proud of them. I wish we’d broken the 40-goal mark, but overall, they worked hard and played well as a team,” she said.
While disappointment was evident on the faces of the St Francis players, they left the court with pride, determined to bounce back.
Hillcrest, meanwhile, celebrated their emphatic win with smiles, proud of a performance that showed grit and determination, even after a long day on the court.
