The South African Hockey IPT entered its second day of action at St. Stithians College in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Mens A Section
Southern Gauteng remain the only team with a 100% tournament rate. They secured their second victory of the tournament over Eastern Province thanks to an early strike from Liam Hermanus and a second from Tyler-Reed Napier in the first half. Neither team would add to the scoring in the second half and it was 2-0 to the hosts.
South Africa Under 21 overcame their opening day defeat with a Reuben Sendzul inspired victory over the Northern Blues. Sendzul opened the scoring in the third minute for the National juniors. Brett Horn made it 2-0 before Sendzul made it 3-0. The Blues pulled a goal back through national player Cameron le Forestier. But Sendzul was the star of the show and crowned his own day with a hat-trick goal in the final minute of play.
In Pool A, Western Province got their first win when they were too good for the challenge of SG Witsies. Luthando Jonas opened scoring just before half time and saw Josh Opperman double the tally early in the third quarter. Sibusiso Chili brought the game to life for Witsies before two late goals from Niel Raath and Jordan Groenewald made it look more comfortable than it was.
KZN Raiders and WP Pens played out one of the games of the tournament. Daryl Lotter made it 1-0 to the Raiders but then it was the Pens who marched forward unrelentingly. James Flint, Tristan Cooke and Xola Karelse gave the Cape side a 3-1 lead with 20 minutes remaining. Raiders pulled one back through Grant Pio before levelling through Dylan Ferreira. Ferreira would pop up with the winner in the final quarter to return a great 4-3 win.
Womens A Section
In Pool B Northern Blues continued to put their best foot forward as they look to take it all the way to the title this year. They dismissed the challenge of Free State comfortably enough on Tuesday. Hanrie Louw scored twice while Tegan Fourie, Maikemisetso Marokoane, Marguerite van Wyk and Izellle Cilliers rounded off a 6-0 victory to take them to 6 points.
KZN Raiders bounced back from their defeat on the first day with a 2-1 win over Southern Gauteng. Nationally capped Lilian du Plessis and Cailynn den Bakker both scored in the first half. Kiara Fitzhenry pulled one back for Southern Gauteng but the Raiders held on for a the win.
In Pool A it was an incredibly tight game between South Africa U21 and North West. There was really nothing to choose between the two teams and the game needed someone to be the hero. Ntsopa Mokoena answered that call scoring the only goal and securing a 1-0 win for the SA Under 21 side.
Western Province got their tournament started after an opening day defeat. The questions they asked could not be answered by SG Witsies who blew away the host province team with a frenetic opening quarter. Paige Thomas, Daniella de Oliveira and Jodie Blows scored in a seven-minute spell to knock the wind out of the Witsies challenge. Siliziwe Mxinwa finally converted a penalty corner for Western Province late on to make it 4-0 and wrap up the victory for the defending champions.
Fixtures – 11 September
by South Africa
