Huletts Spring Surprise as Hippos Stand Firm

The Lowveld based hockey teams (Hippo and Huletts) showed a remarkable performance over the weekend when they outclassed the Bulawayo giants BAC and Kings Hockey clubs during the National hockey league games at Khumalo Hockey stadium in Bulawayo over the weekend of 21/22^nd of July 2012.

The defending champions, Hippo Hockey Club, had to put aside their agonising first defeat in three years that was inflicted by Enthusiasts, and began a fourth title chasing hunt with a 5-0 drubbing of Kings. The City of Kings was silenced in just 20mins with a well crocheted Hippo-manufactured passes which left the Kings' defence badly exposed and had no clue on how to prevent the goal. The opening goal proved to be the flood gates opener. The Hippo front line comprising of Anold Mpofu, Ranga Mungwiniri, Luckson Sikisa, Cydreck Starch, Edward Takavarasha and Paul Dakarai started to dictate the pace. Hippo could have banged in more goals if it wasn't for lack of precision in front of the goals.

Huletts hockey sprung a shocker when they managed to hold the Bulawayo champions BAC to a 3-3 draw later on the same date. It was Huletts's major achievement against BAC and it signalled a warning to all other teams that they are not push overs in the National league. A stunning performance from Huletts was through team work and cohesion within all departments. The tireless Trycos Mako engineered most of the moves and Joram Gonyora created two penalty flicks which helped the team to salvage an elusive draw.

The following day was a clash of the titans. Huletts continued from where they had left when they locked horns with Kings. Kings began on a manhunt to salvage at least a point but that was never to be as Huletts proved to be an emerging power house. They went on to snatch all three points and emerged 3-2 victors. The results meant that they have now accumulated 4 points in three matches following their disappointing 5-3 loss to Harare's Enthusiasts.

It never was an easy game for Hippo as they fought a nail biting el clasico encounter with their bitter rivals BAC soon after the Huletts-Kings match at the same venue. It was a tense and fiercely fought battle as the action sprung from end to end. The umpires had a torrid time as they battled to instil sanity and ensure compliance to the rules and regulations of hockey. The midfield trio of Brighton Mapope, Doc Mukwewa and Donald Mutupo had to work tirelessly to withstand the pressure from BAC. The BAC technical team had to resort to counter attacks and effective use of overhead throws but the defensive stalwart comprising of Kanyiwe Tapfuma, Pritchard Matambo, Nigel Dube and Tendai Maredza stood firm and were equal to the task. The Hippo strategic plan proved to be more effective as the Bulawayo giants went on to succumb to a 7-3 defeat. This became their biggest loss margin to Hippo hockey.

The win by Hippo has set them as the title contenders together with BAC and Enthusiasts to clinch the National League title. The National league winners will automatically guarantee them qualifying ticket for the Africa Cup for Club Championships in December.

Teams

National League Results

Huletts

Hippo