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 a day later than the rest of the field, having had a bye on the opening day, and their opening tie was against Northern Daisies on Tuesday, 10 September, 2024.
It was a tight affair with the Daisies having earned an opening day victory, 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 from Adelaide Sidell rounded the scoring off a 4-0 win for SACD.
Women’s 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 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.
Original Copy: SA Hockey, with editing by gsport
Photo Caption: KZN Raiders bounced back from their opening day defeat with a key 2-1 win over Southern Gauteng second day of the 2024 SA Hockey IPT at St. Stithians, on Tuesday, 10 September, 2024. Photo: Zac Zinn / Belgotex Sport
