An incredibly thrilling final brought the curtain down on a highly entertaining and captivating South African Hockey U21 IPT for 2024, when the North West Women edged hosts Western Province in the final of the South African Under 21 Hockey IPT, at the University of Cape Town on Saturday, 5 April, 2024.
North West knew they faced their toughest test of the tournament taking on Western Province, who probably in some ways benefitted from a tough semi-final encounter against the Northern Blues.
And that showed when captain Caylin Maree opened the scoring early in the second chukka for the hosts capitalising on a defensive error.
It was a lead they would hold until the 40th minute before it clawed back by North West. Tournament top goal scorer Chanel Genis once again the star in restoring parity with a deft deflection after a brilliant run from Germarie Speershot.
North West would turn that deficit into a lead with just 10 minutes remaining on the clock. Arisha van Niekerk who powered home to give the ladies in red and white superbly.
The clock was ticking down towards a conclusion, but Western Province spoilt the party as Katlego Bodibe levelled in the last minute from a penalty corner and set up a shootout to decide the champions.
North West were perfect netting four from four while Western Province could only score one of their three and the Potchefstroom based side sealed their title as Champions.
The bronze medal was won by Northern Blues who beat WP Peninsula 3-2, fifth place went the way of KZN Raiders after a 5-1 triumph over Southern Gauteng, and Eastern Province sealed 7th with a 2-1 win over Free State.
In the U21 IPT’s Individual Awards, the Western Province’s Richelle Norval was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, Elizabeth Anderson (KZN Raiders) and Chanel Genis (North West) shared the Top Goal Scorer honours, while the North West’s Ane Janse van Vuuren was lauded as the Player of the Tournament.
Tournament Finals Day 5 Results at the 2024 Under 21 South African Hockey IPT on Saturday, 4 May, 2024
7-8th Place Playoff – Free State 2-1 Eastern Province
5-6th Place Playoff – Southern Gauteng 1-5 KZN Raiders
Bronze Medal Match – WP Peninsula 1-2 Northern Blues
Tournament Final – Western Province 2-2* North West (NW win 4-1 on penalties)
Day 1 Results on 30 April, 2024
Day 4 Semi-Final Results on Friday, 3 May, 2024
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: North West took the early lead and made it count when Potchefstroom outfit beat tournament hosts Western Province in a penalty shootout to win the 2024 SA Under 21 Hockey IPT at the University of Cape Town on Saturday, 4 May, 2024. Photo: Zac Zinn / Belgotex Sport for SA Hockey
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