Northern Blues Defend their SA Title in a Fitting End to a Thrilling U21 IPT Tournament
The 2025 SA U21 IPT closes with unforgettable champions Northern Blues winning the women’s crown, beating Western Province 1-0 to defend their title on home soil at Cornwall Hill College in Centurion, Gauteng, on Saturday, 3 May, 2025.
A week of high drama, rising stars, and unforgettable moments came to a close, and for Northern Blues, the gold medal came with history, heart, and hero moments. It was a final match that lived up to the weight of the occasion — tight, tactical, and nervy throughout.
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The first half was played largely between the 25s, with both teams struggling to carve out clear-cut chances. A single penalty corner chance for WP in the first half was safely dealt with, and it was goalless at the break.
Early in the second half, both sides traded short corners again, but still the deadlock held — until one key moment.
A re-awarded corner gave the hosts another bite, and Emily Macquet stepped up to drill it home, igniting the crowd and giving Northerns a crucial lead. Western Province, in their second final in two years, threw everything forward in the closing minutes.
But Manisha Desai and her defence stood firm, with WP unable to convert a string of late penalty corners. Jubilation for the Northern Blues, who lift the title unbeaten — and heartbreak for WP, who once again settle for silver.
In Saturday’s Bronze Medal match, North West outclassed Southern Gauteng 1-2 to grab the final podium position, and third place on the 2025 SA U21 IPT honours board.
Final Standings for the SA U21 Women’s Hockey IPT
1. Northern Blues
2. Western Province
3. North West
4. Southern Gauteng
5. KZN Raiders
6. Free State
7. Eastern Province
8. Mpumalanga
Women’s Individual Awards
Player of the Tournament – Hannah Quinton (Southern Gauteng)
Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Manisha Desai (Northern Blues)
Top Goal Scorer – Elizabeth Anderson (KZN Raiders)
Final Day Results of the SA Hockey Under 21 Inter-Provincial Tournament on Saturday, 3 May, 2025
7th/8th: Eastern Province 0-1 Mpumalanga
5th/6th: KZN Raiders 6-2 Free State
Bronze Medal: Southern Gauteng 1-2 North West
Gold Medal Final: Northern Blues 1-0 Western Province
Semi-Final Results on Friday, 2 May, 2025
5–8th: Mpumalanga vs Free State
5–8th: KZN Raiders vs Eastern Province
Semi-Final: Western Province (3) 2-2 (2) North West (WP win in Shootout)
Semi-Final: Northern Blues 1-0 Southern Gauteng
Day 3 Results on Thursday, 1 May, 2025
Pool A
KZN Raiders 4-0 Mpumalanga
Southern Gauteng 2-4 North West
Pool B
Eastern Province 0-60 Western Province
Northern Blues 3-0 Free State
Day 2 Results on Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Pool A
Southern Gauteng 6-1 Mpumalanga
North West 1-1 KZN Raiders
Pool B
Free State 2-0 Eastern Province
Northern Blues 3-2 Western Province
Day 1 Results on Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Pool A
North West 8-0 Mpumalanga
Southern Gauteng 2-1 KZN Raiders
Pool B
Western Province 5-0 Free State
Northern Blues 5-1 Eastern Province
Original Copy: Hockey SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The 2025 SA U21 IPT closes with unforgettable champions Northern Blues winning the women’s crown, beating Western Province 1-0 to defend their title on home soil at Cornwall Hill College in Centurion, Gauteng, on Saturday, 3 May, 2025. All Photos: Silver Edge Photography
Photo 2 Caption: For Northern Blues, the gold medal came with history, heart, and hero moments in a final match that lived up to the weight of the occasion.
Crédito: Link de origem