The TuksHockey men’s team put up a valiant effort on Sunday in the Presidents Cup-final in Potchefstroom, but in the end, it was Old Ed’s that was victorious, winning 4-2.

The day before Tuks has beaten them 2-0 to set up the rematch in the final.

Guy Elliott who coaches the team is for now satisfied with his players’ performance but he will expect them to lift their game to the next level by the time they start their Varsity campaign.

“On Saturday when we played Old Ed’s both sides were missing five main players apiece, our guys due to study commitments and Ed's guys due to work commitments. In a way, I am glad it played out like that as it gave me the opportunity to give other players in our squad more game time. They did not disappoint. 

“For the final, both sides were back to full strength, and we ended up losing 4-2 in a tight match. As the stats suggest, we had the better of the game. Unfortunately, we failed to execute again the small things that stood us in good stead throughout the tournament to perfection. That led to the team conceding, what I would call, soft goals.

“On a positive note, the guy's performance was decent, and they showed great character when things weren't going their way. I was impressed by their never say die attitude fighting up to the very last minute. That pleased me more than anything else.

“It was a great game regarding preparation for the Varsity Tournament. In the end, it was Old Ed’s experience what gained them a victory, and our naivety is what let us down. The challenge for the team over the next few weeks is for the team not to get complacent.”

Tuks women's hockey team lost 3-1 against Crusdaders in the President's Cup final and made the South African women's hockey team sweat before going down 2-0.