This year, UCT's Hockey Club boasts four teams in the Western Province Hockey Union's top-tier Grand Challenge League. But, alas, most of the teams got off to a shaky start.

The best of the lot were the men's A side, who drew 4-4 against Central in their first game and then beat Victorians 5-1. UCT B, unfortunately, had the wind knocked out of them in a bruising 0-8 defeat to Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC) A, but rallied well for a 1-2 loss to WPCC B.

In the women's competition, UCT A drew 2-2 against Constantiaberg and then lost 1-2 to Central. Much like the men's B side, UCT B had a baptism of fire, taking a 0-9 beating from Victorians, followed by a 1-6 defeat to WPCC.

It's all part of the cycle that UCT goes through just about every year. As usual, the club lost many of its stalwarts to other sides following the 2006 graduation - UCT makes a point of featuring mostly students in its squads - and a number of coaches, including Pierre le Roux, longtime coach of the men's senior sides. (Le Roux's now with WPCC.)

"These are very young sides," says club administrator, Noreen Wonnacott.

Everyone has their fingers crossed that these rough waters will soon pass.