The second day of the 2024 SA Hockey IPT at St. Stithians saw teams jostling for position with some climbing up the ladder while others have their backs to the wall already.
Women’s B Section
Western Province Peninsula began their tournament today having had a bye on the opening day. They were facing a Northern Daisies who had earned an opening day victory. It was a tight affair, but Pens were able to come out on top thanks to four inspired minutes in the second quarter. Isabella Booyens netted in the 22nd and 25th minute to secure the points for the Cape based side.
Another tight battle ensued when KZN Mynahs and Mpumalanga took each other on in the second game of the day. South Africa Under 18-star Emily Macquet scored a last quarter winner to continue the 100% start for the Mynahs in their quest to earn a place back in the A Section.
SACD were looking to secure a victory following their opening day draw against Mpumalanga. They were too good for Eastern Gauteng who continue to search for their first victory of the tournament. Tanya van Bosch scored in the first quarter, before two goals in the third quarter from Jayde Viljoen and Ntokozo Dube ended the Eastern Gauteng challenge. A late goal form Adelaide Sidell rounded the scoring off a 4-0 win for SACD.
On Wednesday there are six games in the Women’s B Section tournament as the daunting task of a double header awaits teams. In a tournament with no play-off stage, every result matters.
Women’s B Section – Fixtures – 11 September
08:30 – Mpumalanga vs. Eastern Gauteng
10:10 – WP Peninsula vs. Eastern Province
11:50 – KZN Mynahs vs. SACD
14:00 – WP Peninsula vs. Mpumalanga
15:40 – Eastern Province vs. KZN Mynahs
17:20 – Eastern Gauteng vs. Northern Daisies
Men’s B Section
Incredibly after just two days of action there is no team with a full house of points. SG Nuggets got their tournament kick started with a big 7-2 win over Northern Cape early in the day. Adams Mesach was the hero with a hat-trick while Mbulelo Ncube, Jordan Gongo, Kago Phetlhu and Nashaan Matroos all bagged goals. Northern Cape got what were ultimately only consolation goals through Hayden Grey and Thomas Waddell.
SACD looked imperious on the opening day while the KZN Mynahs dropped points to Northern Daisies. Cameron Hallowes scored both the goals as the difference between the teams with the Mynahs winning 2-0.
Free State were leading 2-0 at half against Northern Daisies thanks to an Abraham Delport double, looking set for a second victory. But the Northern Daisies fought back. They pulled one goal back through David Baxter and with just 120 seconds remaining pulled level as Liam Elkington stole the point for the Daisies.
The top 5 are separated by two points with all eyes on Wednesday action to see who takes the forward step.
Men’s B Section – Fixtures – 11 September
08:30 – SG Nuggets vs. Northern Daisies
10:10 – SACD vs. Northern Cape
11:50 – KZN Mynahs vs. Free State
by South Africa
