Western Province state their case at hockey nationals

Head coach Steve Evans’ Tuffy Western Province line-up overwhelmed a never-say-die North West 11-0 after leading 5-0 at half-time, their comprehensive win studded with a host of exquisitely constructed goals.

Daniel Bell (2), James Drummond (2), captain Rhett Halkett, Dave Agar, Lloyd Norris-Jones (2), Callum Buchanan, Wade Paton and Shannon Boucher all got on the busy scoresheet via five penalty corners, one penalty stroke and five field goals in a display that exemplified the Capetonians’ ability of making entries into the strike zone count.

WP have certainly laid down the marker and it will take a special effort from one of the IPT teams to topple them.

In the late game, South Africa U21, who are special IPT invites in a bid to assist their preparation for Junior World Cup qualification, shaded hosts Northern Blues 3-2 after leading 2-0 at half-time.

For Blues, who finished this entertaining encounter strongly, trying to haul in the SA Juniors’ 3-0 advantage was a bridge too far.

SA U21 scored through sharpshooter Ryan Crowe (2) and Bili Ntuli while Grant Glutz got a brace for Blues.

In Tuesday’s match of the day, which starts at 6pm, head coach Krinesan Moodley’s Blues combination will be determined to get points off the impressive KZN Raiders.

Raiders were accurate in accounting for Inland in the KZN derby to the tune of 7-1 after leading 3-0 at the interval.

The Durban-based team found the back of the net via the sticks of their penalty corner kingpins – captain Matt Fairweather and Greg Last (2) – plus Keagan Robinson (2), Ross Hetem and Ryan Williams from field play. Inland skipper Gavin Jelley netted his side’s lone goal.

WP Peninsula beat KZN Mynahs 4-0, their goals by Jordan Turnbull, Seb Golding, Warren McEwan and Ben Wiley.

South Gauteng Wits staged a magnificent fightback to beat Free State 3-2 after trailing 2-0 at half-time. The Gautengers struck success through the goalshots of Dean Symons, Brad Venter and Kamal Ramburuth-Hurt’s 53^rd minute winner.

Free State, who must be kicking themselves for allowing their two-goal advantage amount to nothing, had goal success from Kurt Hensburg and Melrick Maddocks.

Hockey heavyweights Southern Gauteng were not at their best, despite beating an inventive Eastern Province 3-1 after leading 2-0 at half-time. The Johannesburgers scored through Dylan Coombes, Lance Louw and Julian Hykes from the penalty spot. EP’s Cerezo Comerasamy scored a good goal five minutes after half-time.

The second-tier B Section tournament starts at St Albans College Tuesday.

RESULTS
SG Wits 3 Free State 2; KZN Raiders 7 KZN Inland 1; WP 11 North West 0; Southern Gauteng 3 EP 1; WP Pens 4 KZN Mynahs 0; SA U21 3 Northern Blues 2.

TUESDAY FIXTURES
A Section (at Tuks Astro): 09h15 Tuffy WP vs SG Wits; 11h00 EP vs Free State; 12h45 Southern Gauteng vs North West; 14h30 WP Pens vs SA U21; 16h15 KZN Mynahs vs KZN Inland; 18h00 Northern Blues vs KZN Raiders.
B Section (at St Albans): 09h15 Namibia vs Northern Cape; 11h00 SA Country Districts vs Northern Blues B; Eastern Gauteng (bye).