The u.21 Mens and Ladies IPT Hockey tournament is currently underway at the NWU-Pukke Astroturf from 4-9 September and the local North West teams have started well in their opening matches.

The NW ladies side drew 0-0 with Western Province B on Monday night, whilst the NW men completed a hard fought come from behind 3-2 victory against Mpumalanga in scintillating hockey action in  Tuesday night.

See the photos here: (Photos: Wouter Pienaar)

Mpumalanga scored first through a Luke Korb field goal, before North West captain Wayne Jeffrey equalised with a field goal in the second half. The goals came at lightning pace in the final quarter as Pirre Botma dispatched a penalty stroke to give NW a 2-1 lead just two minutes later.

Not to be outdone, Mpumalanga fired straight back through a field goal by Anthony Ruschenbaum to level the scores a 2-2 in the 51st minute.

In a frantic period, North West eventually secured the win from another penalty corner as Corné Pauw scored in the dying minutes. It was pure delight for North West who got their tournament off to the perfect start.

North West next play Free State today (Wednesday, 6 September) in a Pool B clash at 17:15. North West ladies face Western Province in Pool A action at 19:00.