Where were you when…

Iconic sporting moments create memories which stirs emotion when inferred to later on in life. When people ask you where you were when Simphiwe Tshabalala scored that goal, when Joel Stransky kicked that kick or when Mark Boucher hit that boundary, you will probably smile, reflect on a happy moment and sit back with joy.

The 2023 Belgotex Sport Fairmont Easter Tournament has done its part to create “where were you when” moments and the semi-finals of the cup tournament produced two of these such moments in front of a crowd so vociferous that local law authorities popped in to inspect ongoings.

In the girl’s tournament, Woodridge College found themselves trailing 2-1 to Rustenburg but secured themselves a shootout with a late, great strike from Jemma Maartens. In the resultant penalty shootout Kate Tanner scored the deciding goal and Woodridge had earned a place in the Cup Final.

They will be joined in the final by Monument who were too good for as pirited York High School, led by a Hannah Smyth double. It’s all set up for a new winner in the Cup tournament.

The Plate final will see Curro Durbanville take on Stellenberg, the Bowl final will be contested between HTS Drostdy and Cambridge while the Shield final will be between Edgemead and Worcester Gym.

In the boy’s tournament the “where were you when” moment came when the defending champions Paarl Gim faced elimination trailing 6-2 against Woodridge into the final quarter. But SA U21 star Carlon Mentor added a hat-trick to his first two goals to help level the game remarkably. They would win the shootout 5-3 and secure a place in the final.

They will be taking on SACS Invitational who were far more routine in their victory over Jim Fouche. Hamish Anderson got a brace as SACS were largely comfortable in a one-sided semi-final.

The boys plate final will be contested between Fairmont and Durbanville, DF Malan and York will play the Bowl Final and the Shield final will be decided by Swakopmund and Charlie Hofmeyr.

All the finals will take place at Fairmont with video referrals, live streaming and packed crowds. What’s left to say but “Where were you when…”