Some hearts were broken, some dreams of competing for top honours were shattered, and some of the top guns were left to lick their wounds after a pulsating day at the SASHOC National Week in KwaZulu-Natal.
Semifinal spots were up for grabs heading into Thursday, day four of the inter-provincial tournament (IPT). All teams in contention knew exactly what they needed to do to progress.
In Pool A, Western Province A and KZN Coastal A made it to the last four after finishing the group in first and second place, respectively.
Ahead of their last match, Province A cruised through the group stage. The only blemish on their record was a goalless draw against KZN Inland A on day two. On Thursday, though, they suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at the hands of KZN Coastal A.
That win for KZN Coastal A proved vital as it secured them second place in the group, just above Western Province B.
It was also a historic win for coach Harold Siyaya’s side, who inflicted a first defeat on Western Province since 2018.
The dangerous Luc Boyall equalised for Coastal A after his team had conceded a goal in the second chukka, scored by Daniel Fisher.
It was a scrappy affair after that, but the hosts snatched victory in the final chukka. Their captain, Ryde Brisset, who has been in terrific form throughout the week, produced the goods with nine minutes to play, beating Arrin Spiller in the Province goal after finding himself with a little space inside the circle.
As a result of emerging victorious from the must-win game, Coastal A secured a semi-final slot.
Western Province B beat Boland B 2-0, but fell just short of the final four.
KZN Inland A, after three draws and a loss, finally registered a win, beating Mpumalanga 2-1, which left them in fifth place.
Newly promoted, Mpumalanga failed to record a win in their five matches. They next face KZN Coastal B in a cross-pool playoff. Should they lose that game, they’ll play to avoid relegation on Saturday.
Pool B’s finishing positions were also decided. Boland A had already guaranteed their progression to the final four, but Eastern Province (EP) A and Northern Gauteng A met on the Mansergh Astro at Hilton College, with second place on the line. EP needed a draw, while Northerns had to win.
The boys from Pretoria exploded out of the blocks and scored in the third minute when their talisman, Rudolph Thiart, converted a penalty stroke.
EP, as they’ve done throughout the week, came roaring back, and an attack inside the Northerns’ circle resulted in a stroke of their own, which Dale Jennings converted.
EP’s joy was short-lived, though, with Rorisang Boshomane putting Northerns in front again in the 15th minute.
Momentum swung back and forth after that goal, but Luke Mason made it 2-2 in the 20th minute with a spectacular diving finish.
After four goals in just 20 minutes, the scoreline somehow remained unchanged until the end.
The tense draw ensured EP advanced to the semi-finals alongside Boland A, who scored a 4-1 win over Southern Gauteng A in the morning, followed by a 7-1 defeat of Southern Free State A in the afternoon in their final pool match.
Against Southerns, Luka Meets bagged a brace while Luca Jordaan and Logan Lackay also struck for the Bolanders.
Caleb Cilliers struck twice against Free State while Jeandré van Zyl, Buhle Mfunelwa, Seth Paterson, Luka Meets, and Ruben Gouws completed the drubbing.
Results
Pool A
Western Province B 2: Luke Laver, Ephram Smith. Boland B 0.
KZN Coastal A 2: Luc Boyall, Ryde Brisset. Western Province A 1: Daniel Fisher
KZN Inland A 2: Ben Wilson, Ethan Maltby. Mpumalanga A 1: Jordan Botha.
Pool B
Boland A 4: Luka Meets (2), Luca Jordaan, Logan Lackay. Southern Gauteng A 1: Milan Stipcevich.
Eastern Province A 2: Dale Jennings, Luke Mason. Northern Gauteng A 2: Rudolph Thiart, Rorisang Boshomane.
Southern Free State 1: Marko Bosch (2). KZN Coastal B 1: Sandi Mazibuko.
Boland A 7: Caleb Cilliers (2), Jeandre Van Zyl, Buhle Mfunelwa, Seth Paterson, Luka Meets, Ruben Gouws. Southern Free State A 1: Wian Griesel
Fixtures
08:00 – Mpumalanga vs KZN Coastal B
09:25 – Western Province B vs Southern Gauteng A
10:50 – Southern Free State A vs KZN Inland A
12:15 – KZN Coastal A vs Boland A (Semifinal 1)
13:40 – Boland B vs Northern Gauteng A
15:05- Western Province A vs Eastern Province A (Semifinal 2)
