30 June 2023
The 2023 under-18 Inter-provincial Hockey Tournament concluded in Bloemfontein on Friday, with Western Province A handing Southern Gauteng A a 3-1 defeat to be crowned the champions, while the KZN Coastal A side were 1-0 winners over Boland, which secured them third place.
Unfortunately for the four KZN sides, they were the sole winners on the final day.
The Coastal A team had beaten Boland A 3-0 in their Pool clash, but the chances of such a convincing victory again were small in their second meeting.
Still, they found the goal that counted, thanks to a wonderful run down the right and along the baseline by Aldridge Maasdorp (in photo). He picked out Thomas McKenzie in front of the goal, and McKenzie made no mistake with the gift-wrapped opportunity.
First half domination
The KZN Inland A team dominated Western Province B in the first half of their clash, in the playoff for fifth and sixth places. They led 2-0 at the break, and it appeared as if it would be a routine win for them. Rearden Dicken (it looked like) and Wian Liebenberg netted the goals.
In the second half, though, Western Province B clawed their way back into the contest. Midway through the third chukka, they scored with their first shot on goal.
Then, the awarding of a dubious penalty corner in the fourth chukka, when Nic Chantler was penalised for taking out an attacker’s feet with his stick, led to a Province penalty corner. If there was contact, and that was doubtful, it was very slight.
Western Province B, though, made it count with a powerful drag flick drawing them level at 2-2.
A fine goal
Having been outplayed for the majority of the contest, the Capetonians won it with a fine field goal. A sweetly struck reverse stick shot drew a good save out of the goalkeeper, but the rebound fell to a Province man, in space, and he slapped a well-aimed shot into the far corner to put his team ahead.
Inland had an opportunity to draw, with a penalty corner just before the final whistle. However, Western Province B, as they did many times during the contest, stood firm defending the set piece and they were rewarded with a 3-2 victory.
KZN Coastal B showed they could compete with any team at the tournament during its course, but they had to settle for eighth place after going down 1-2 to Gauteng North A. Lethabo Mathobela scored the KZN team’s goal.
Unfortunately for KZN Inland B, they were relegated following a 2-3 loss to Eastern Province A.
They fell 0-2 behind, but quickly pulled to within a goal through Asanda Khumalo. EP extended their lead to 3-1 with four minutes to play. Bryn Brokensha then made it 2-3, but his strike came in the final minute and Inland B suffered a heart-breaking loss.
RESULTS
KZN Inland B 2-3 Eastern Province A, 11th and 12th
Amathole 2-0 Southern Free State A, 9th and 10th
KZN Coastal B 1-2 Gauteng North A 7th and 8th
KZN Inland A 2-3 Western Province B, 5th and 6th
KZN Coastal A 1-0 Boland A, 3rd and 4th
Western Province A 3-1 Southern Gauteng A, 1st and 2nd
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