The Madikwe Rangers emerged first-time winners of the Premier Hockey League, when they beat the Wineland Wings 3-2 in a penalty-shootout that settled the 2019 season’s final, after the two sides finished regular time tied 1-all at the Randburg Astro in Johannesburg on Sunday afternoon.
Established in 2016 and coached by Sandile Bosman, the Rangers qualified for the final after squeaking by the Orange River Rafters – also on a penalty-shootout after ending the semi-final tied 3-all, but they will not mind the close affair that saw them gain a debut win in South Africa’s premier field hockey tournament.
The final between the Rangers and the Wineland Wings promised to be an exciting affair, and it certainly lived up to expectations as the intense competition between the two sides on the field saw a goalless scoreline endure past the end of the first quarter, the half-time break and right up until the whistle signalled an end to the third quarter.
It fell to eventual champions Rangers to break the deadlock in the final quarter, only for the Wings to equalize for an anxious end to regular play, but the Rangers showed determination to end the shootout 3-2 winners for their first title in their third attempt.
Rafters Beat Daisies for Bronze Medal
Earlier in the day, the Namaqualand Daisies took on the Orange River Rafters in the tournament’s bronze medal match, where the Rafters eked out a 1-goal advantage at the end of the first quarter, and managed to double their advantage for a 2-0 lead by halftime.
With 15 minutes left to play after the third quarter, the Rafters added another goal, going 3-0 ahead, despite conceding a goal in the final quarter, it was a confident 4-1 win to the Rafters to earn themselves a bronze medal.
Final Results of the 2019 Premier Hockey League, at the Randburg Astro Turf on Sunday, 4 August, 2019:
Gold Medal Match: Madikwe Rangers 1 – 1 Wineland Wings
Rangers won 3-2 on shootouts
Third/fourth place Playoff: Namaqualand Daisies 1-4 Orange River Rafters
Photo 1 Caption: The Madikwe Rangers beat the Wineland Wings 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the 2019 Premier Hockey League finalists were tied 1-all at the end of regular time, at the Randburg Astro Turf on Sunday, 4 August, 2019. Photo: SA Premier Hockey League via Facebook
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