‘Raining’ champions, St Mary’s D.S.G. didn’t let the weather dampen their spirits as they continued their domination at the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Westville Girls’ High School on Saturday 21 March. Claiming their 14^th title, St Mary’s met Hillcrest High School in the regional final. In a class of their own, Saints were in top form knocking in one of the highest scores at a regional final since the tournament began 16 years ago in KwaZulu Natal.

The attackers were on song, capitalising on superb pressure throughout the twenty-minute final, the final whistle blew 6 nil in favour of the defending champions. The first was just 63 seconds after the first pass, when Georgia Short slotted in a shot from right in front of the goals. Two minutes later, Jenna-Leigh Freese pounded in her team’s second as she pierced the circle, firing off a rocket.

Threading the ball through the defenders, St Mary’s D.S.G. Buntu Msweli watches as she sends the ball up during the semi final against Curro Hillcrest during the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that Westville Girls’ High School hosted on Saturday 21 March.

Hillcrest dug deep having been on the back foot for most of the game and crafted their first of several attacks with the clock nearing 7 minutes. Their adventurous forward, Sienna Kidgell, darted into the St Mary’s circle and launched an attempt at goal that keeper, Ziyanda Mchunu calmly deflected.

The response was instantaneous with a rapid attack by St Mary’s, 34 seconds later Olivia Sivewright netted the third goal. A minute later Sarah Patterson was left unmarked right in the middle of the Hillcrest circle and popped in her teams fourth goal. Thirty seconds later Bella Roberts found herself with some space after a good run down the left. Roberts wasted no time as she entered the circle thumping in her teams fifth goal.

Nearing midway through the final, Hillcrest managed to send play up, earning themselves a short corner, the first of the final. Saints’ defenders were quick to get up to the D, forcing Hillcrest to move the ball around and upset their set piece with a rushed shot launched left of the goals.

Again, Saints responded with a devastating attack right down the middle, the perfect pass finding Freese who gently nudged the ball in for her second goal in the final and her teams sixth.

Syncing. Shadowing, Westville Girls’ High School’s Nomcebo Hlela keeps up with Kloof High School’s Camilla Daniels run at goal during the penalty shootout in the playoff for fifth place where Kloof went up 1 nil at the Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that Westville hosted on Saturday 21 March

The final 8 minutes had both teams working hard. Four more short corners were awarded, with Hillcrest earning one and St Mary’s three. Playing in her first SPAR tournament, Grade 10 goalie for Hillcrest, Theresli Meyers started enjoying herself as the time wound down. Sliding around, the agile youngster kept the ball out of her goals, as did her counterpart Mchunu on the other side.

Umpiring in her first big tournament, young Amore Laubscher was acknowledged as the Most Promising Umpire. The youngster representing Gelofte Skool, officiated the semi-final between St Mary’s D.S.G. and Curro Hillcrest, as well as the playoff for seventh place. Another youngster who had a grand day at the challenge was Pinetown High School’s Tayla Zoe Hendricks. The Grade 8 won herself the magnificent prize of the Princess stick in the lucky draw in the fun-filled break before the playoff games.

St Mary’s is the fifth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals that they will be hosting in July. Another nine schools from around KZN will be travelling to the main event. So far four teams leading up to the Highway Regional have booked their berth, the first Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional), followed by Amanzimtoti High School (DBN South Regional). Last weekend St John’s D.S.G (PMB Central Regional) and St Anne’s Diocesan College (PMB North Regional) secured their place. The sixth team, Durban Girls’ College from the Durban Central Regional were victorious in their tournament on Sunday. The final four places from the outlying areas will be decided in May.

Results

Regional Final

St Mary’s D.S.G. 6 vs Hillcrest High School 0

Semi Finals

St Mary’s D.S.G. 2 vs Curro Hillcrest 0

Thomas More College 0 (0) vs Hillcrest High School 0 (2)

Positions

1 St Mary’s D.S.G; 2 Hillcrest High School; 3 Thomas More College; 4 Curro Hillcrest; 5 Kloof High School; 6 Westville Girls’ High School; 7 Gelofte Skool; 8 Pinetown High School

Photo Credit: Rogan Ward