The fifth round of the Ehlanzeni Senior Hockey League was held at Penryn on Sunday April 28, and Lowveld Country Club (LVCC) won three of their four matches on the day.

LVCC were the hosts. Six matches were scheduled and played throughout the day. Twenty five goals were scored across all of the matches, an average of just over four goals per game.

This meant that the weather wasn’t the only thing that was sizzling hot on Sunday, because the clubs battled for the lead across the four divisions of the Ehlanzeni Senior Hockey League.

There was a chance for the log leaders in three of the four divisions to change. Only Impala 2 in the Ladies Second League secured in first place ahead of the weekend. In spite of this, the biggest upset of the day came at the expense of Impala 2 in the Ladies Second League, when they lost 2-1 to LVCC 2, who until Sunday had not yet won.

In the other match of the day in the Ladies Second League, KaNyamazane was handed a default win over White River 2. In the Men’s Second League, LVCC 2 were top of the log, with White River 2 two points behind in second leading up to the weekend.

Impala 2 were a determined outfit, though, and triumphed 4-1 over LVCC. White River 2, on the other hand, beat White River Macs 6-1, thus moving them into top spot on the log. The Ladies’ First League match of the day was between log leaders Impala and the second-placed LVCC.

The hosts played well, managing a 4-2 win to take over first place from Impala. LVCC also had a chance to rise into first spot in the Men’s First League, but would have to beat Impala by four goals or more.

They could only muster a 3-1 win, though, drawing level on points with White River, but the latter still hold top spot based on goal difference. The Ehlanzeni Senior Hockey League takes a break this weekend, as local players head off to the SA Masters Interprovincial Tournament. The league will resume with the sixth round on Sunday May 12.