DTS’ women’s premier league side got their Bank Windhoek Outdoor League campaign off to a great start with a shock 2-1 victory against defending champions Saints on Wednesday evening.
Saints were the firm favourites, having won the league for the past three seasons in a row, while DTS finished bottom of the log last season.
DTS, however, had been strengthened by some new acquisitions, including national captain Maggy Mengo from Unam, and Cele Wessels and the Gillies sisters Caitlin and Jaime from Saints, and on Wednesday were full value for their win after a committed display.
Jaime Gillies had a great debut, stretching Saints’ defence to the limit with her probing attacks, while Mengo was her usual bustling self in defence and attack.
Saints did the early attacking, with Jerrica Cormack being denied by a fine save by DTS keeper Petro Stoffberg, while Wiandri Ludwig missed a good chance.
Saints’ early pressure finally paid off when Azaylee Philander stabbed in a cross at the end of the first quarter.
DTS immediately bounced back when Mengo equalised at the start of the second quarter, diving to deflect a Gillies centre into the net.
Philander put in some strong attacks for Saints, but couldn’t get past an inspired Stoffberg in DTS’ goals, and after weathering the storm, DTS struck back when Tanya Olivier rounded off a counter-attack with a goal at the end of the third quarter.
Saints pushed hard in the final quarter, winning two short corners in quick succession, but Mengo came to DTS’ rescue when she cleared a shot off the line, as they held on for a shock victory.
In Men’s Premier League action, the early frontrunners, Saints and Windhoek Old Boys both posted comfortable victories, with Saints beating Wanderers 4-0, while Old Boys beat Nust 6-0.
Saints opened their account with two goals within two minutes by Cody van der Merwe and Brandon Lensen in the first quarter, while a field goal by Kave Tjikuniva made the half time score 3-0.
Another field goal by Aiden Landrey put them 4-0 ahead early in the third quarter, but Wanderers’ defence managed to keep them in check for the rest of the match.
Old Boys also picked up a bonus-point win with a 6-0 victory against Nust, who defended well at first, before their defence crumbled in the closing stages.
Siyabonga Martins opened WOB’s account after five minutes, but it was only towards the end of the third quarter that Rory Hammond made it 2-0.
That, though, sparked a late collapse that saw Nust concede five goals in 10 minutes, with Matuu Kavikairiua, Anrich Loftie-Eaton and Matthew Mouton also finding the net.
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