Central Gauteng outsmarts Western Province to claim back-to-back IPT titles
The Central Gauteng u19A girls’ team made history at the Schools Water Polo South Africa Inter-Provincial Tournament when they defeated Western Province A 7-3 in the final in the Joan Harrison East Pool in East London on Wednesday.
Gauteng was made to work extremely hard for the win, but they showed grit and composure to pull it off, thanks to their performance in the final two chukkas of the match.
On their way to the title decider, coach Kelsey Thomson‘s charges suffered just one defeat in Pool A, going down to Province on day two.
They bounced back emphatically and, in the quarterfinals, dismantled Eastern Gauteng 13-2 before edging out Nelson Mandela Bay 5-4 in the semifinals.
Province, meanwhile, enjoyed a flawless run to the final. Under head coach Etienne Le Roux, the girls from the Western Cape were on a mission and they booked their place in the main match with a convincing 15-3 win over Western Province B.
The final was the third between the two rivals in the past 12 months. They met in the IPT final in Gqeberha last year and again in March, at the Currie Cup, which was also hosted in Buffalo City.
History, though, meant nothing with the 2024 IPT title on the line, and the teams produced a very competitive, tightly contested clash with almost nothing to separate them.
The first two chukkas produced four goals, with Province taking a 3-1 lead at the halfway point. Hannah Banks, Roxanne Uys, and Emily van Heerden netted for the Capetonians, while Mia Loizides struck for Gauteng.
The defending champions made the brighter start in the third chukka, and after putting Province under pressure, they scored through Emma Pelicot.
That goal sparked Gauteng into life, and they attacked with more vigour, which led to a Julia Joseph strike that levelled matters momentarily at 3-3.
Joseph was far from done and converted a penalty from five metres out to hand her side a 4-3 lead heading into the final chukka.
In the fourth quarter, Central Gauteng played smart and attractive water polo. Their defence was solid and they attacked decisively.
Anastasia Hambakis proved to be the difference, slotting two quick goals to put Gauteng 6-3 clear with five minutes to play.
They gave it a good crack, but Province couldn’t work their way back into the match. With time running out, Emily Carle sealed the deal for Gauteng, striking in the final minute to make the final margin of victory 7-3.
Reacting to an outstanding performance by her charges in the final, coach Thomson, relieved and satisfied, praised her team’s fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude.
“I’m just happy that the team did everything we went over for the final, bar a few things,” she told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“I think we worked so well as a team, and when you work as a team, everything comes together. We were patient, trusted each other, and played till the end, and that’s the spirit I wanted the girls to show.”
Thomson, who was also in charge of the side when they won the Currie Cup, said there were no moments of panic when they started slowly and trailed 1-3 at halftime.
“I just told the girls to stick to their basics and instincts and to turn up a gear,” she said.
“It was still a long game. Although we were 1-3 down, we were creating a lot, and I knew it would come. We just needed to be patient.”
Gauteng will bid farewell to just four players after the tournament. Only Mia Loizides, Amy Smith, Ruby Carlsen, and Francesca de Villiers are in matric. Meanwhile, in the Central Gauteng B-team, Cecilia Petersen and Humairaa Bodiat also played their final tournaments.
Thomson thanked them for their service and said she’s looking forward to working with the talent still at her disposal.
“The players leaving have had great careers for their province, and we’re going to miss them. They have served Gauteng so well, and I really believe they will go out there and become great human beings.
“The rest of the players are in grade 11, and the u16 group coming up is looking strong. We are looking forward to seeing how we integrate them into the team and continue to grow,” she ended.
Nelson Mandela Bay signed off on a high, edging out Western Province B 10-9 to take home the bronze medal.
KwaZulu-Natal took fifth place after beating Buffalo City A, while Central Gauteng B and Zimbabwe also claimed wins.
SCORES
Final – Central Gauteng A 7: Anastasia Hambakis (2), Julia Joseph (2), Mia Loizides, Emma Pelicot, Emily Carle. Western Province A 3: Hannah Banks, Roxanne Uys, Emily Van Heerden.
3rd/4th – Nelson Mandela Bay 10: Teagan Harty (2), Matipa Karimazondo (2), Amie Jenner (2), Mia Jenner, Elizabeth Horn, Anna Olivier, Lucy Rutherfoord. Western Province B 9: Kirsten Bottger (3), Kelly Cadiz (2), Bailey Donnachie (2), Sarah Palframan, Anna Lieberman.
5th/6th – KwaZulu-Natal 13: Kayla Andrews (4), Lara Mervis (4), Caitlin McMurray (2), Amber Lewis (2), Gemma Malherbe. Buffalo City A 9: Erin Batting (3), Roxy-Lee van Eek (3), Meka Loots, Megan Schwartz, Julianna Saffy.
7th/8th – Central Gauteng B 7: Amy Stubbs (2), Simphiwe Zulu (2), Humairaa Bodiat, Rachel Rostron, Aimee Hattingh. Eastern Gauteng 6: Maddison Griffin (3), Caitlin Scrimgeour (2), Vinah Mokgatle.
9th/10th – Zimbabwe 10: Tyla Love (3), Emily Taylor (3), Lily Bean (2), Tayleigh Taylor, Shannon Torr. Buffalo City B 5: Caroline Kretzmann (2), Courtney Linke, Slayde Herman, Chuma Magobongo.
