A new name appears on the Northern KZN Regional trophy after Hoërskool Pionier was crowned champions in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Fast 5s Netball Challenge at Dundee High School on Saturday 14 September.

Pionier met Vryheid High School for the second time in a fast-flowing final. In their earlier meeting, the two teams drew 10 all. In the closing game, Vryheid drew first blood when they opened their account with a fabulous 2 pointer after just 22 seconds of play. Pionier were quick to respond with two back-to-back 1 pointers, leveling the score after 64 seconds.

Star jump. Hoërskool Pionier’s Goal Shooter Mia Pienaar snags a bold pass as a flying attempt of an intercept is missed by Vryheid High School’s Nongcebo Mhlongo during the final of the Northern KZN Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place on Saturday 14 September at Dundee High School.

A quick game of ‘tennis’ ensued for the next two minutes with both teams alternating scoring, securing one pointers, and taking the scoreline up to 5 all after 3 minutes and 18 seconds. Pionier then shifted gear, with their trademark long, probing determined passes rapidly finding their forwards. The halftime score was 5-7.

In the second half, Pionier were first to score 15 seconds in. After just over 2 minutes of tussling turnovers, Vryheid responded nudging their score up by one point. Pionier dominated possession in the middle period, but only managed to put away 3 shots, taking the score up 6-12. As the weather started to move in, Vryheid knocked in two more 1 pointers, followed by Pionier basketing two single points, with the final score resting on 9-14.

In the semi-finals, Vryheid High School took on Ferrum Hoërskool, beating them 13-10 and Pionier meet two times defending champs, Dundee High School where they won 16-8. Dundee and Pionier met in the final of the first regional in 2022, which Dundee took the honours 10-7.

This is the third time this regional has taken place since the tournament expanded. In the continued growth of this tournament, ten teams participated this year, from the previous eight teams in 2022 and 2023.

Dundee’s Charlie’s SuperSPAR kindly donated the Umpire of the Match trophy, which was awarded to Dundee High School’s Vuyisane Dlamini, presented by the store manager Shaun Hendricks. They also donated goodie bags for the winning team.

Wrapping up the 2024 challenge, the final regional heads to Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School for the Pietermaritzburg Regional on Saturday 5 October. All games will be live streamed on SuperSport Schools.

Hold on tight. Hoërskool Pionier’s Goal Shooter Mia Pienaar manages to receive the pass away from the hands of Vryheid High School’s Nongcebo Mhlongo who desperately tries to defend during the final of the Northern KZN Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place on Saturday 14 September at Dundee High School

Results:

Finals Result

Hoërskool Pionier 14 vs Vryheid High School 9

Third Place Playoff

Dundee High School 11 vs Ferrum Hoërskool 8

Semi-Finals Results

Vryheid High School 13 vs Ferrum Hoërskool 10

Dundee High School 8 vs Hoërskool Pionier 16

Pool Results

Pool A

1 Hoërskool Pionier 10pts; 2 Vryheid High School 10pts; 3 Sarel Cilliers High School 4 pts; 4 Newcastle High School 4pts; 5 Amajuba High School 0pts

Pool B

1 Dundee High School 12 pts; 2 Ferrum Hoërskool 9pts; 3 Dundee Secondary School 6pts; 4 Dundee High School Seconds 3 pts; 5 Pongola Akademie Gekombineerde Skool 0pts