Two extremely thrilling finals introduced the curtain down on a extremely entertaining and fascinating South African Hockey U21 IPT for 2024. After 40 video games the identification of our gold medalists is named North West (Girls) and Northern Blues (Males) each triumphed over hosts Western Province of their respective finals.
Girls’s Remaining – North West (4) 2-2 (1) Western Province
North West knew they confronted their hardest check of the event taking over Western Province, who in all probability in some methods benefitted from a tricky semi-final encounter towards the Northern Blues. And that confirmed when captain Caylin Maree opened the scoring early within the second chukka for the hosts capitalizing on a defensive error.
It was a lead they’d maintain till the 40th minute earlier than it clawed again by North West. Match high objective scorer Chanel Genis as soon as once more the star in restoring parity with a deft deflection after an excellent run from Germarie Speershot.
North West would flip that deficit right into a lead with simply 10 minutes remaining on the clock. Arisha van Niekerk who powered residence to provide the women in purple and white fantastically. The clock was ticking down in the direction of a conclusion, however Western Province spoilt the occasion as Katlego Bodibe levelled within the final minute from a penalty nook and arrange a shootout to determine the champions.
North West have been excellent netting 4 from 4 whereas Western Province might solely rating certainly one of their three and the Potchefstroom based mostly aspect sealed their title as Champions.
Males’s Remaining – Northern Blues 3-2 Western Province
The 2 groups had performed out a basic group stage recreation that noticed Province snatch a late draw. This recreation would produce one other that may reside lengthy within the recollections. Kearabetswe Khoele opened the scoring for the hosts within the 9th minute ending on the far publish after an ideal run from Damian Knott.
Corne Burger although restored parity for the boys from up North as they levelled simply earlier than the top of the primary quarter. A drag flick with large energy however one which WP can be disenchanted for not saving. The rating remained that manner proper via the half-time break.
Calvin Davis, who has stood up as one of many stars of the event and knocking on the door of worldwide choice for the senior workforce gave Northern Blues the lead within the 36th minute, with an outstanding reverse stick strike throughout the objective into the underside proper nook.
Damian Knott had his personal story ebook second pulling Western Province degree within the 50th minute to place the sport on the path to a shootout. The drag flick underneath the shoulder from Knott had an incredible quantity of tempo and smashed into the aspect board.
However as within the group stage recreation between the 2, there can be a late objective to seal the consequence. This time although it wouldn’t be Western Province however relatively Northern Blues. Warrick Adams the hero changing for the Blues because the ball discovered its manner throughout the circle and within the course of sealing the title for the Northern Blues.
Within the girls’s event the bronze medal was received by Northern Blues who beat WP Peninsula 3-2, fifth place went the way in which of KZN Raiders after a 5-1 conquer Southern Gauteng and Jap Province sealed 7th with a 2-1 win over Free State.
Within the males’s event the third medal went the way in which Southern Gauteng who defeated Jap Province 4-0. 5th place belongs to WP Pens who beat the Invitational aspect 5-0 and North West received a thriller 4-3 to consign Free State to eightth place.
Girls’s U21 IPT Particular person Awards
Goalkeeper of the event: Richelle Norval (Western Province)
Prime Purpose scorer: Elizabeth Anderson (KZN Raiders) & Chanel Genis (North West)
Participant of the Match: Ane Janse van Vuuren (North West)
Males’s U21 IPT Particular person Awards
Goalkeeper of the event: Daniel Dillon (Western Province)
Prime Purpose scorer: Ross Montgomery (WP Peninsula)
Participant of the Match: Calvin Davis (Northern Blues)
