In the bookend fixtures, the results were mirrored between Danville Park Girls’ High School and Ashton International College at the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place at Curro Salt Rock on Saturday 13 September. In the opening fixture Danville Park Girls’ High School earned their first victory of the day with a narrow victory against Ashton, only one point separated the two with Danville finishing on 11 and Aston 10. Enroute to the final, Danville won all of their pool games, with Ashton winning all their remaining fixtures.

In identical fashion, the concluding game went Danville’s way by the slimmest of margins – a single point with the result ending 11 – 10 in favour of Danville seeing them reclaim the Durban North title. Danville has featured on the podium in all of the Durban North tournaments since its inception. Making their third regional final appearance, they have their name engraved on the trophy after claiming the 2023 title, and finishing in second place the year before took on a bold Ballito team who made their first regional final appearance in this tournament.

Ashton International College Ballito’s Nonkosi Xaba is captured as she receives the ball mid-jump as Danville Park Girls High School’s Casey Ward, Amy Wolhuter and Teagan Royle look on during the final at the Durban North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge that took place at Curro Salt Rock on Saturday 13 September.

Ashton stepped into the middle circle first, firing off the first pass but a feisty Ciassa Loubscher nipped across, snatching the ball for the first intercept of the game and sending it quickly down to her attacker, Cailee Thaver who put the first point on the board just 25 seconds into the game. For the second time, Ashton got play underway ensuring the ball reached their dependable long range shooter, Michelle van Heerden who calmly netted her first 2 pointer of the game after only 50 seconds of play. The first half saw Danville fire, float and bounce the ball to Thaver who was camped under the ring, slotting in four points, while her teammate, Aimee Lovemore got her name on the score board with two minutes of play. Ashton’s energised passes burst around the court, pinballing their way to their forwards. Their sniper, van Heerden pocketed three floaters while Kerryn Todd

supported with two 1 pointers. The half time score, similar to the first game had Ashton looking threatening with 8-5. In similar fashion, the second half got underway with Thaver putting the first point on the board. Danville again earned their first turn over ball in the first minute of the game, sending it up to Thaver hugging the pole who landed the second point of the half. Trading positions, Todd earned Ashtons first point of the half, and shortly after that another 1 point. The second half had Ashton shooting on the breezy end while Danville had the sheltered end.

Danville’s tactic remained unchanged in the second half, finding their forwards hugging the net to slot in the single points, while Ashton pursued their flamboyant play attempting the double pointers. Due to the wind whipping through, the reliable van Heerden’s shots got blown off target. With pressure building Danville’s midfielders stepped up a gear with some exciting intercepts, turning play around and sending it to Ashtons circle. In the second half Ashton only managed to add two more points to their tally while Danville went up by a handful, finishing ahead of their rivals for the second time. Leading up to the final, Ashton met defending champs, Our Lady of Fatima in the first cross pool playoff. While last years silver medallist, Curro Salt Rock took on Danville. This coming weekend the tournament heads inland to Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional. Amajuba High School will host the teams including defending champs, Hoërskool Pionier.

Results:

• Regional Final – Danville Park Girls’ High School 11 vs Ashton International College 10
• Semi Final -Our Lady of Fatima 8 vs Ashton International College 10; Curro Salt Rock 8 vs Danville Park Girls’ High School 12
• Pool A – 1 Our Lady of Fatima 12pts; 2 Curro Salt Rock 9pts; 3 Crawford La Lucia 6pts; 4 Reddam House uMhlanga 3pts; 5 Riverdene High School 0pts
• Pool B – 1 Danville Park Girls’ College 9pts; 2 Ashton International College 6pts; 3 Our Lady of Fatima 3pts; Hillgrove High School 0pts