RUFUS BOTHA
It was a disappointing last chapter for the Free State (FS) women’s hockey team at the Inter Provincial Tournament (IPT) in Potchefstroom last week. One must, however, add that lady luck had her say in the disappointment as well.
The FS ladies seemed to have had their tails up after the pool matches where they clashed Northern Gauteng (Northerns), North West (NW) and Border who were all drawn in Pool A.
FS first played to a draw (2 – 2) against a strong NW contingent with Tanya Britz and Liné Malan being on target for the FS. Lori Hyde was struck twice for NW.
Day two saw FS slaughter Border by no less than 15 – 0. Shevaun Botha (3) and Nicole Walraven (3) both scored a hattrick, whilst Malan (2), Britz (2), Nisa van Zyl (2), Cornelle Botha (2) and the 16-year-old Casey-Jean Botha (1) all paid a visit in the Border goal box.
What promised to be a thrilling encounter between FS and Northerns produced great hockey, but the FS got their noses ahead by full time (2 – 1), compliments of two goals by Lezanne Vermaak. Sammy Prost scored for Northerns.
After these mentioned pool-A matches, FS topped the log with seven points, followed by Northerns (6 points).
Southerns (6 points) were on top in pool-B with Western Province (WP, 6 points) in second by mere goal difference.
The pool results saw FS and WP take to the field in the one semi-final and this is where lady luck left one of her marks on the FS with stalwart, Mignon van Tonder going down with a broken collarbone. But, FS defense remained fearless, halting the scoreboard at 0 – 0 at half time.
The deadlock was broken a minute after half time with Lategan striking for the FS, but jubilations were short lived when Megan Robertson equalized for WP two minutes later from a short corner.
Free State coach, Braam van Wyk told Courant: “We surely missed Mignon, especially in the short corner defense area”.
The fierce battle proceeded until the 53rd minute when Heather McEwan scored the winner for WP, leaving the Free State to play out for fourth pace, against old enemy, Northerns.
After an equal full time score (1 – 1) it was time for a nerve wrecking penalty shootout. A doubtful decision (or two?) by the umpires raised some eyebrows from friend and foe.
The score line was even (3 – 3) after the regulation shootout and time for sudden death was on the cards. The umpires decided that Northerns' striker Dirkie Chaimberlain was fouled and after being granted a penalty stroke she scored for a 4 – 3 lead.
It was Brits’s chance to save the day for the FS and Van Wyk described this as another unlucky state of affairs: “When Tanya went for goal and a similar offence transpired that saw WP get another penalty chance, the umpires decided to rule it a no goal. It was unlucky, but these things happen in sport. One must deal with it,” Van Wyk added.
In the final match, Southerns beat WP hands down by 5 – 2.
