After six thrilling days of action at the South African Hockey IPT, the B Section champions have been crowned.
Women’s B Section – WP Peninsula
Western Province Peninsula had been flawless in the tournament so far and knew that anything other than a defeat would secure a place in the A Section in 2025. They were up against the bottom team in the tournament, Eastern Gauteng, and would want to guard against complacency.
They produced a perfect performance. Isabella Booyens netted twice along with Tanya Pieterse. Emily Bezuidenhout, LIze Steyn and Jesse Gradwell added to the scoring to seal a 7-0 win and with it the title as B Section champions for 2024.
The Silver medal went to Northern Daisies won the silver before they played their last game of the tournament, while it was Eastern Province who secured the bronze medal pipping KZN Mynahs on goal difference.
Women’s B Section Final Standings:
1 – WP Peninsula
2 – Northern Daisies
3 – Eastern Province
4 – KZN Mynahs
5 – SACD
6 – Mpumalanga
7 – Eastern Gauteng
Men’s B Section – South Africa Country Districts
The two teams played the final pool game against each other on Friday, but that history would count for nothing when SACD and Free State met in the B Section final on Saturday. Having failed to score in the game on Friday it was Free State who opened the scoring when Esmin Ontong fired home.
SACD levelled within a minute as Vaughn van Reenen found the back of the net to restore parity. The Country Districts team were raising the tempo and found a goal at the hooter through Gertian van der Linde. Courtney Halle made it 3-1 in the final quarter and historically SACD secured the B Section title.
The bronze was won by SG Nuggets in a thrilling 3-1 victory over KZN Mynahs while Northern Daisies secured the victory over Northern Cape.
Men’s B Section Final Standings
1 – SACD
2 – Free State
3 – SG Nuggets
4 – KZN Mynahs
5 – Northern Daisies
6 – Northern Cape
by South Africa
