Defending champions Jewel Africa All Stars maintained their proud record of winning the Princess Pro Series ladies’ competition four times out of four, after an exciting final which had to be decided by a penalty shoot-out, after scores were tied 1-all after the full-time whistle was blown at Hartleyvale on Sunday.
The All Stars took the lead in the ladies’ final as early as the third minute, when Taryn Glasby fired a field goal home.
The teams took part in an eight-goal thriller in the pool match on Friday, and the All Stars knew that a single goal was not enough.
Even so, the Eurolux Fireflies could not find a way past Charne Jansen in the All Stars goal until Niki du Toit found a gap to force the equaliser with just eleven minutes remaining.
With neither side able to break the dead-lock, the crowd was treated to the excitement of a Princess Showdown.
Paula Dollman bravely took her place in the line-up for the Fireflies, and scored with the last showdown to level matters at 2-2, but keeper Jamie Allen was unable to deny Gina Sole as the All Stars won the shoot-out 3-2.
Paula Dollman was taken ill and was unable to wait to receive her award as Player of the Tournament. Glasby – a player to watch for the future who has already forced her way into the Western Province Under 21 team while still at school – took the award for the highest goal-scorer.
The ladies’ third place match was also decided on a Princess Showdown after the Maidens and Team Strikers played out a 1-1 draw.
Both goals came in the second half, as Farah Fredericks gave the Maidens the lead in the 32nd minute only for Chantelle Britz to equalise for the Strikers, with eleven minutes left on the clock. Only Fredericks could convert her showdown as the Strikers won the shoot-out 3-1.
In the under 18 event, the Boland girls took the honours in the girls’ section.
(With editing by gsport)
Final Ladies Results at the Princess Pro Series, at Hartleyvale in Cape Town on Sunday, 24 March, 2013: 3rd/4th place: Team Strikers 1, Maidens 1 (Strikers won showdown 3-1) Final: Jewel Africa All Stars 1, Eurolux Fireflies 1 (All Stars won showdown 3-2)