Replays: PAC boys, Scotch girls triumph in 2021 statewide schools open knockout hockey finals
It was a dramatic end to the School Sports SA statewide open boys and girls knockout hockey grand finals with longstanding rivals clashing and a penalty shootout.
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Prince Alfred and Scotch colleges have emerged as the School Sport SA open hockey champions following an action packed day at Hockey SA Stadium.
PAC took home the Gerry Phillips Cup with a 2-1 triumph against longstanding rival St Peter’s in the boys’ grand final, while Scotch survived a tense shootout in the girls’ decider to defeat Henley and claim the Marg Daly Cup.
Both finals were part of 22 matches exclusively live streamed by The Advertiser on Monday.
Henley, Grant, St Peter’s, Prince Alfred and Nuriootpa all played off in the boys draw, while for the girls it was Henley, Grant, St Martin’s, Scotch and St Marks.
GRAND FINAL REPLAY: Scotch v Henley
GRAND FINAL REPLAY: Prince Alfred v St Peters
WATCH REPLAYS FOR ALL 22 MATCHES HERE
PAC’s boys team was the most dominant of the day, winning all five of their games before overcoming Saints in the decider.
It was the sixth straight knockout final for the college, which has now won seven out of the last 10 finals tournaments.
In the minor round games, Princes beat Henley 4-0, Grant 1-0, St Peter’s 4-0, and Nuriootpa 4-0.
The grand final was an instant classic, with both PAC and Saints desperate for the win.
St Peter’s took the lead early in the first half and looked on top of their game, but the Reds were able to hold firm and level it right before the break.
They then started to dominate proceedings in the second half on the back of a strong performance from attacker Archer Rowntree, and worked a great team goal to win it with five minutes remaining.
PAC hockey co-ordinator Andrew Stace was impressed by the way the boys performed and carried themselves throughout the day.
“I am extremely proud of the playing group. Some of them have played together for many years but we also had a few exciting young guys as well,” Stace said.
“St Peter’s played really well against us in the final and threw everything at us but our boys stepped up and held together for each other as a team. We’re really happy with the result.”
St Peter’s won their three other games on the day, against Henley 2-1, Grant 1-0, and Nuriootpa 2-0, their only losses coming twice against PAC.
Grant beat Henley 2-1 in an exciting game, and Nuriootpa 1-0 but lost to St Peter’s and PAC, both 0-1.
Henley was unlucky not to grab more wins from their four minor round games, beating Nuriootpa 1-0 and playing impressively in 1-2 losses to Grant and St Peter’s before losing 0-4 to PAC.
Nuriootpa left the day winless, but enjoyed testing itself against the Adelaide schools, losing 0-1 to Henley and Grant, 0-2 to St Peter’s and 0-4 to PAC.
Scotch was dominant in the girls’, drawing 0-0 with Henley and defeating Grant 2-0, St Martin’s 1-0 and St Mark’s 3-1 before playing out an epic in the grand final against Henley.
The game was neck-and-neck for both halves, with each side defending sternly.
Defender Eliza Hentschke was strong for Scotch, while attacking midfielders Zoe Nunn and Ella Pascoe were integral to the team’s movement.
With the grand final tied 0-0 at full-time, penalties decided it and Scotch keeper Matilda Whitehouse was the matchwinner, producing three saves to see her team win 4-2.
Scotch head of sports Jarrod Schar was thrilled with the school’s performance.
“I am extremely proud of the result and how the girls played with great sportsmanship throughout the day,” Schar said.
“We knew the grand final was going to be a tight contest and both schools had their opportunities. The penalty shootout tested the players to control their emotions, and to execute under pressure and win is a great achievement.”
Henley won two, beating Grant 4-0, St Martin’s 3-0, and drew against Scotch 0-0 and St Mark’s 1-1 before losing the grand final on penalties in what was a strong day for the girls.
St Martin’s beat both Grant 1-0 and St Mark’s 3-1, before losing to Henley 0-3 and Scotch 0-1.
St Mark’s drew with Henley 1-1 in an inspired performance, beat Grant 2-1 and lost to Scotch 1-3 and St Martin’s 0-2.
Grant lost all four of their minor round games.
They were unlucky not to get a result against St Mark’s and St Martin’s in 1-2 and 0-1 losses, and lost 0-2 to Scotch and 0-4 to Henley.
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