2007 Hummel Wilderness Veterans over 40’s Football tournament

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With poor weather conditions predicted for the weekend, we at SA Sports Tours were obviously extremely anxious given the situation at last years tournament where excessive rain meant a last minute venue change.

Friday sees scattered showers throughout the day but we are pleased that both pitches remain firm under foot. Teams begin arriving from early morning. With many flying in from Joburg while others make the long drive up from the East Cape and Cape Town.

The captains meeting is held in the George room at the hotel. Before we all move across to the Nelson Mandela Metro University fields for the opening ceremony. After a brief welcome from Martin Robinson of the Protea Hotel King George the matches kick off at 17H30 with defending champions Old Stephanians taking on Bellville FC and Vasco up against Rygersdal. The clash of the evening is in the second round where Vasco play Tech Stars from East London. Tech Stars do extremely well to match Vasco in most departments and come away with a credible 0 – 0 draw. The weather is freezing and most players resort to wearing a t shirt of some sort under their kit.

Once all games are completed it’s off to the hotel for a welcome lamb spit braai. This seems to go down really well with all.

Saturday

Its cold but the sky is clear. No threat of rain. All seem to enjoy the wonderful breakfast provided by the hotel. The first round of matches kicks off 09H00. This is serious football and no quarter is given. In Group 1 the action is fierce with Boksburg giving little away and coming through the group stages unbeaten. In the end Stephs manage to push Boksburg into third place by just a single point. However, its Ruimsigs hard graft combined with top keeping from Grant Harold that sees them through to the semi finals. Ruimsig are solid at the back and give nothing away in the middle and manage to pip the smooth passing Stephs side who are battling without the clinical finishing of Winston Bailey who came into this tournament carrying an injury. To give an idea of how solid Ruimsig are they only concede one goal in the round robin stages. Bothasig give a good account of themselves with Pat van Den Hawe the ex Everton, Spurs player controlling their midfield as do Bellville who play with a lot of spirit.

In Group two, predictably the class of Vasco carries them through as they brush all opposition aside. Tech Stars do enough in the closing stages to pip Rygersdal and the skillfull Linhill friends for second place. Friends look well on track for a semi final place at the conclusion of Friday nights games but unfortunately lose 4 – 0 to Vasco on the Saturday, and draw 0 – 0 with Corinthians putting paid to their semi final hopes. Corinthians play hard uncompromising football and manage a number of draws with Steve again keeping an impressive number of clean sheets. West End have the oldest side at the tournament with all their players being 45 and plus and although the play attractive skillful football the pace of the younger players proves too much for them.

A special mention must go to the Savages side who gamely travel all the way from Maritsburg, the furtherst of all teams but unfortunately only have a squad of 13 players and battle to remain competitive in the closing stages after losing 2 players to injury in their opening match. Savages are the oldest club in the country and celebrate their 125 anniversary this year.

In the afternoons semi fnals Tech lose one nil to Ruimsig. Both sides are evenly matched but the team spirit of Ruimsig pulls them through while Tech are hampered by injury to key player Johnny Grant.

Vasco and Stephs fight it out in the other semi. Vasco score first but Stephs equalize forcing the match into a penalty shootout. Vasco triumph on penalties.

The final is a one sided affair as Ruimsig seem to run out of steam and in spite of vociferous support for the underdogs from the main grandstand, the football class and pace of Vasco sees them come through as comfortable winners of the 2007 Hummel Wilderness Veterans over 40’s football tournament by 2 goals to 0. Congratulations are in order to a Vasco side that is well managed and whose players are in top shape for their age. Their silky football skills coupled with pace and clinical finishing clearly makes them the top side at the tournament.

The prize giving and gala dinner on the Saturday night is a fitting climax to the tournament.

Prizes awarded as follows:
Crunchies:

1. Barry Wilmot (Bellville) – nominated by his team mates for performing wel below par.
2. Alan Hammond (Stephs) – scored an own goal and a goal all in the same match.
3. Ian Judd (Tech Stars) stood on the ball while dribbling almost doing his cruciate ligaments.
4. Steve (Corinthians keeper) So intent on keeping a clean sheet - nominated by the refs for continuously asking how much time is left.
5. Seba Rodriguez (Vasco) Playing a ball nowhere near his team mate.
6. Barry Johnson – fell over the ball
7. Bradley Fill (Stephs) own goal
8. Paul Whatmore (Savages) as a striker he managed to score no goals at all.
9. Krish Naidoo (Savages) lasted 5 minutes in the first match then out injured for the entire tournament.
10. Roller Rajah - Naidoo (Savages) lasted 10 minutes in the first match then out injured for the entire tournament
11. Kiddo (Savages) – drank two mugs of Old Brown sherry on Friday at conclusion of matches and fell asleep in his kit.

Neil Townsend, referee come tournament director picks up the refs choice for the three blind mice award.

The All Star side is selected by ex professional Bevan Williams (East London United and Highlands Park) and Lau Jensan (Hummel Africa). In the selectors opinion these are the top 11 players in their positions at the tournament. Each wins a weekend at the hotel as well as a Hummel polo shirt.

1. Grant Harold – Ruimsig
2. Pat v. d. Hawe – Bothasig
3. Gary Pelser – Tech Stars
4. Terry Paine – Boksburg
5. Adolf Philips – Tech Stars
6. Shaun Lekay – Stephs
7. Robbie Benadie – Bellville
8. Nazeen – Linhill friends
9. Brian Wiel – Vasco
10. Mustapho Lee – Vasco
11. George v.d. Berg – Vasco

Player of the Tournament – undoubtedly George v.d Berg (Vasco)

Top scorer is Mustapha Lee from Vasco.

Final placings

From SA Sports Tours, a big thank you once again to all the team organisers who took on the responsibility of of entering your team and collecting payment. This really is much appreciated. He gift of a Hummel top is the least we can offer by way of thanks. I look forward to meeting up with all of you next year once again.

To see the photos from this tournament, click here