Johannesburg – Southern Gauteng thumped the South African Under-21 side 4-1 in Bloemfontein on Saturday to lift the SA men's interprovincial (IPT) hockey title.
Southerns, who secured the trophy for the first time in 12 years, added to the title won by the province at the women's IPT in Randburg last week.
The final was a high intensity game between two evenly matched teams, with both were able to break quickly and defended well.
Only the slightest error allowed the opposition in to score and Southerns were able to capitalise and take control, eventually romping to a commanding 4-1 win.
The third/fourth place playoff was a dour affair, with Northern Gauteng earning a 2-1 victory over a sluggish Western Province side to take the bronze medal.
Deposed title holders KwaZulu-Natal Raiders lost the fifth/sixth place playoff to KZN Inland in a tightly contested penalty shootout.
Wits prevailed over EP 2-1 to take seventh spot, while Free State won the battle for ninth position with a convincing 8-1 win over Mynahs.
North West grabbed the wooden spoon, going down 5-4 against WP Pens in a close match.
Southerns' Clinton Panther was named Player of the Tournament. – Sapa