Western Province ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE 2022 SA HOCKEY MEN’S IPT
IPT 2022 | AND THE MENS CHAMPIONS ARE…
Mens A Section
The 2019 and 2018 champions faced each other in a repeat of their group game that ended in a draw. KZN Raiders had arguably the toughest route to final having finished third in their group. They had overcome the Northern Blues and the SA U21 sides in two titanic tussles, while Western Province overcame the favourites Southern Gauteng in a wonderful semi-final display.
As the first quarter was about to end KZN Raiders took the lead through a superb move finished off brilliantly by Slater Capell. It was a lead that they would hold for 42 minutes as a fantastic game of hockey offered opportunities and excitement but no more goals.
That would change in the 58th minute when Wade Dollman got three bites at the cherry and finished off eventually with Taine Bird prone on the floor. Despite a review the goal correctly stood and Western Province had levelled superbly.
KZN Raiders had scored in the final minute of the action in the semi-final, but this time around they were on the receiving end as a professional foul by Zamo Ngubo produced a penalty corner and Connor Beauchamp showed the experienced head he has developed this year to rock up with an unstoppable rocket to defend the title.
Awards
Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Taine Bird (KZN Raiders)
Top Goalscorer - Mustapha Cassiem (SA U21)
Player of the Tournament - Sam Mvimbi (Western Province)
Mens B Section
WP Pens won the battle of the second sides against KZN Mynahs. Both teams had been faultless in the march to the final but only one would be victorious. Tristan Cooke and Bulelani Ngqukuvana scored the two goals that were enough to take the Pens to the title and secure a place in the A Section.
Awards
Goalkeeper of the Tournament - Rob McKinley (WP Peninsula)
Top Goalscorer - Keanan Wax (North West)
Player of the Tournament - Keanan Wax (North West)
