Reclaiming their title, Durban Girls’ College took the honours in the Durban Central Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge hosted by St Henry’s Marist College at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 22 March.

For the third year in a row, they met neighbour, Maris Stella in a tightly contested regional final. This year the result went College’s way, defeating the defending champs by 1 nil.

Only 1 point separated the two in the build up to the final, with both teams winning four of their round robin games. Maris Stella narrowly went down to College in their first clash by 1 nil. In the surprise of the day, Durban Girls’ High School stepped up a gear with some superb skills, holding their own in the round robin game against College, drawing it nil nil. College topped the log with 17 points while Maris Stella finished on 16points.

In the concluding game, the competition was fierce with everything to play for. College were first to attack, getting the ball down to the Maris Stella circle with only 43 seconds played but the attack was quickly turned around. The defending champs built momentum up and shortly after 2 minutes fired off the first attempt at goal during the final, with the shot going wide. Shortly after that they charged down the left but the pass in went to a defender lurking on the top of the D who in turn sent play up to her forwards.

Only two short corners were awarded in the 25minutes of play, both for the challengers: College, with the first being blown shortly after 5minutes. In the first set piece, Maris Stella easily defended as the College injection was blundered but the ball remained with College as they pressed forward. In a momentary lapse of concentration, keeper for Maris Stella, Leyah Niekerk handled the ball, with her stop falling neatly in front of a well-placed DGC Sophie Moffat who was hanging high. Moffat who usually plays as a defender but she found herself at right forward, and jumped at the opportunity and without thinking twice, slotted in the all-important, only goal of the final.

Changing tack, Durban Girls’ College’s Isabela Sharp attempts to duck infield as Maris Stella’s Rachel McDonald shadows the attack down the line during the final of the Durban Central Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge hosted by St Henry’s Marist College at 3 Schools Trust on Sunday 22 March.
Pic by Rogan Ward

Both teams probed on either side but were unsuccessful in their advances. In College’s second short corner, they crafted a worthy stab, but the strike was slightly off target, shaving the left hand upright. Captain for College, Asanele Zuma had the rare opportunity of some space in the Maris Stella circle and launched a tomahawk missile that flew over the crossbar.

During the intermission, Grade 10 learner, Okwe Ndimeni from the INK team was delighted to win herself a Princess stick in the lucky draw. Earning himself the Most Promising Umpire of the Day, Bandile Ntanzi from Inanda Seminary was acknowledged for his efforts with the whistle.

Durban Girls’ College is the sixth team to earn a place at the Grand Finals. This is their fifteenth title in the Durban Central Regional. They join Our Lady of Fatima, (Durban North Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional). The final four teams will be decided in May as the tournament heads out to the outlying areas to wrap up the ten regionals ahead of the Grand Finals.

Results

Regional Final

• Durban Girls College 1 vs Maris Stella 0

Round Robin Results

• 1 Durban Girls’ College 17pts
• Maris Stella 16pts
• 3 Durban Girls’ High School 13pts

4 INK 5pts

• 5 St Henry’s Marist College 5pts
• 6 Inanda Seminary School 0pts