In superb fashion, St Mary’s D.S.G. continued their domination in the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place on Sunday 17 March at Westville Girls’ High School, defending their title yet again.

As the wet conditions wafted across the turf throughout the day, the spirits of all the players were certainly not dampened. After fifteen games, St Mary’s topped the log with wins in all their five round robin games, accumulating 20 hard earned points. Followed by Curro Hillcrest, who narrowly edged out Hillcrest High School who both ended their day with 10 points each. Curro scoring four goals in their five games, had a better goal difference ratio to Hillcrest’s two, and advanced to the regional final to meet Saints for the second time that day. In a perfect rerun of their first encounter, 90 minutes before the final, Saints netted 3 goals in both games. In the all-important final game, it was St Mary’s Jamie Da Silva; Elizabeth Anderson and Jenna-Leigh Freese that scored the goals in an exciting conclusion to the action-packed day. All three goals were crafted from great attacks, building pressure throughout the 20 minute game. Nearing 12 minutes of play, Jamie Da Silva weaved her way into the circle, finding herself in space to fire off her shot notching up the first goal for the defending champs. With a number of players hanging high, Anderson was on the receiving end of a great pass after her teammate intercepted a quick clearance from a Curro 16. Anderson wasted no time to send off her attempt, earning her team their second goal. In the final minute, Freese cleverly was lurking by the post, and neatly tapped in a stray shot that looked to be going wide, but her gentle misdirection secured their 3 nil victory.

Side by side. Curro Hillcrest’s L’chelle Bester hangs on to the ball as St Mary’s D.S.G.’s Georgia Short works hard to get away in their round robin game at the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Westville Girls’ High School on Sunday 17 March. Photo credit by Val Adamson

This win earns Saints a berth at the Grand Finals taking place on their home turf in July. This will be their twelfth run at the Grand Finals where they have won the overall trophy five times; silver and bronze twice and wrapping up their tally, they also have a fourth place in their illustrious SPAR KZN CV. They join Durban Girls’ College representing the Durban Central Regional, The Wykeham Collegiate who were crowned in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional; St John’s D.S.G. waving the flag from the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional and Our Lady of Fatima from the Durban North Regional. Having a fantastic day with the whistle, Enza Magubane representing Westville Girls’ High was presented with the Umpire of the Day award. Magubane has made several appearances as an umpire over the years at various SPAR regionals, and has been acknowledged several times for magnificent control of the game.

The challenge has a break over Easter, with New Forest hosting the first tournament in April, teams will head to 3 Schools Trust on 6 April for the Durban South Regional. All games will be live streamed on SuperSport Schools. For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

Results:

• Regional Final
• St Mary’s D.S.G 3 vs Curro Hillcrest 0

Round Robin

1 St Mary’s D.S.G. 20 points; 2 Curro Hillcrest 10 points; 3 Hillcrest High School 10 points; 4 Kloof High School 6 points; 5 Westville Girls’ High School 6 points; 6 Gelofte School 0 points

Giving it her all. Curro Hillcrest’s Caitlin Lee just manages to get the ball away as she loses her footing, as Rachel Walton (left) runs up in the final of the Highway Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Westville Girls’ High School on Sunday 17 March. Ready to pounce are St Mary’s D.S.G players Nicola Forbes and Georgia Pollock. Photo credit by Val Adamson