The Steinhoff Maties Hockey women's team is firmly in charge of the Western Province Grand Challenge competition.

Maties are in the first place on the WP league log after their match against Conberg on Sunday 5 June. Maties won 4-2 thanks to a hat-trick by Quanita Bobbs and one goal by Heather McEwan. Maties have 28 points after 10 matches, having won nine games and drawing once. Somerset West is in second place with 20 points, while Conberg and WPCC both have 19 points.

Bobbs and McEwan are co-captains this season.

According to McEwan, it has been a great start to the season for Maties. She added that the team has grown immensely from game number one.

"I can see every player's individual game improving as well. Everyone is enjoying playing together and you can see it by the energy we display as a team on the field.

"A specific highlight for me was our game against Somerset West. Although the match ended in a draw, the way the team played was absolutely exceptional! I am very excited to see this team perform at USSA in July."

The USSA tournament will take place in Johannesburg from 4-8 July.

"The team has been playing extremely well so far but I would really like to see the players turn up the intensity. I don't think we have reached our full potential just yet."

McEwan enjoys sharing the captaincy with Bobbs.

"I am very grateful for her years of experience. This team makes our job very easy. It is a very rewarding experience captaining the Maties Hockey women's team, especially when you witness the team achieving great results because of the hard work they put in. Everyone is willing to buy in and work together as a team."

Maties are multiple defending champions of the WPGC and this means that teams are out gunning for them in every single game.

"I have played for Maties for four years now and without a doubt, every single time a team comes up against us they bring their best performance because they always want to beat us. Instead of seeing it as added pressure, we like to rather see it as extra motivation to play our best and make sure we stay defending champions."

Maties' next WPGC game is on 20 July against Vics (currently seventh on the log).​