TuksHockey women’s team achieved a unique double last year by winning the Varsity Tournament as well as the USSA Tournament.  The challenge is now for the men’s team to try and do the same.

If judged by the results of the last few years it is not an undoable challenge. The last time the men contested the Varsity Tournament Tuks lost out to the University of Johannesburg in the final. The Johannesburg team was also the Tuks team’s nemesis during last year’s USSA Tournament beating them in the semi-finals. 

Tuks went on to finish third in the USSA Tournament after an astonishing comeback in the playoff for the third place. At one stage during the game Tuks was 3-0 down but through pure guts and determination they ended up winning 5-3.

That is precisely the never say die attitude that Guy Elliot (TuksHockey men’s coach) has been working on to install amongst his players over the last two years.

“The moment the final whistle blew to indicate the end of the Varsity-final I started planning and strategising for this year’s tournament. It is a big tournament and we really want to do well. We have worked hard on recruiting players. If I am honest, I would have liked another year regarding their cycle, but if I am also honest with myself, I cannot complain about the team I have put together. I got faith in every player.

“One of the challenges was to encourage the players to do well academically to ensure that they do qualify to represent Tuks at the Varsity Tournament. I am happy to say that the players have complied.”

The past weekend the Tuks team played away and at home against Wits. On Saturday at Wits the score was 2-2 but on Sunday on their home turf Tuks dominated to win 4-1. 

Elliott ascribed the turnabout to his team doing managing to do the small things right during the second game. 

“Sunday’s game was far from a perfect performance. What excited me was the way the team played. It was classic scenario of one for all and all for one. I don’t want the players ever having to rely on one or two players to win. It has got to be a total team effort every time we take to the field.”

Next week Tuks starts their President’s Cup campaign. Their first two away games are respectively against Beaulieu and the University of Johannesburg.

**The TuksHockey women’s team lost their away game against Wits but prevailed on Sunday to win 2-0. Inky Zondi (coach) said he is busy rebuilding his team for next year’s Varsity Tournament. 

The scores for the TuksHockey’s second teams are: 
Men: Saturday won 4-0 and Sunday 8-1.
Women: Saturday won 3-1 and Sunday 3-0.