SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge
Pietermaritzburg North Regional
Treverton College: Sunday 16 March
Back again, St Anne’s College hoisted the Pietermaritzburg North Regional trophy at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place on Sunday 16 March.
St Anne’s met defending champs, The Wykeham Collegiate in the tournament decider having just met in their final round robin game. The challengers were victorious in their earlier encounter, going 1 nil up.
In the build up to the final, St Anne’s had a gentle start going 1 nil up against Riverwood College but quickly gained more confidence knocking in another 17 goals and winning all five of their games to top the leaderboard on 20 points. Wykeham, who were hunting for their third consecutive victory, landed second on the log, having only narrowly lost to Saints.
Wykeham tipped the final off, and after 3 minutes of midfield to-and-fro were the first to launch an attack, running the ball up along the sideline, but after stepping into the last quarter, lost momentum. A minute later, St Anne’s pierced the circle firing off the first shot at goal but were disappointed as it was bravely defended. 30 seconds later, St Anne’s were at it again, intercepting a 16 and charging towards the goals. As was the modus operandi for most of the day, Saints rocketed off their second attempt a few steps into the circle. Wykeham’s keeper, Gabby Kleinhans advanced off her line managing to deflect the shot. 15 seconds later, Saints were again on the prowl for their opening goal.
After 15 minutes of play, St Anne’s determination paid off. Iminathi Ngxola charged down the middle, breaking away from the Wykeham defenders, finding herself one-on-one with Kleinhans who had charged up to meet her. Kleinhans did well to divert the ball away, only to watch it head directly to her opposition. Scrambling back, Kleinhans left Ngxola lurking as the ball rocketed from the circle towards her. Ngxolo, unmarked artfully dabbed the ball rocketing to goals, deflecting it away from all of the defenders that converged in the goal mouth, and into the box giving St Anne’s their prized first goal.
Wykeham dug deep and persevered in a courageous battle to level the score. Working hard in the midfield, they struggled to find gaps, often in frustration rushing passes that were easily intercepted. In the final minute, Wykeham found themselves on the defence yet again as St Anne’s agilely worked the ball around to Holly Hofmeyr, who with 9 seconds remaining on the clock hammered in the last nail, taking the score up to 2 nil and earning St Anne’s their eleventh Pietermaritzburg North Regional title.
Umpire for the Day was awarded to host school, Treverton’s Kalli Broom who was recognised for her skills with the whistle, and Toni Pearson from St Annes won a Princess hockey stick.
St Anne’s College is the fourth team to secure a spot at the Grand Finals. They join Highway Regional winner, St Mary’s D.S.G. who will be hosting the concluding tournament, together with newcomer Maris Stella School (Durban Central Regional) and Epworth School (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional) who claimed victory the day before.
The next round of regionals takes place Mid-April, Werda Skool hosts the Durban South Regional at the 3 Schools Trust turf in Glenwood on Saturday 12 April. Then Ashton International College is the venue for the Durban North Regional the following day on Sunday 13 April.
All games will be live streamed on the SuperSport Schools app. For more info find the tournament on various social media platforms.
Results
Regional Final
St Anne’s College 2 vs The Wykeham Collegiate 0
Round Robin
1 St Anne’s College 20pts, 2 The Wykeham Collegiate 16pts, 3 Treverton College 6pts, 4 Grace College 6pts, 5 Howick High School 3pts, 6 Riverwood College 1pt
Top Image: On the run. St Anne’s College’s Holly Hofmeyr tries to shake off her tail, the hard working captain Erynne Marais from The Wykeham Collegiate in the final at the Pietermaritzburg North Regionals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Treverton School on Sunday 16 March.
Below: Stick to it. St Anne’s Iminathi Ngxola and Tessa Foster from The Wykeham Collegiate attempt to outsmart each other in a tackle during the final of the Pietermaritzburg North Regionals at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Treverton School on Sunday 16 March.
Photo credits: by Val Adamson
Supplied.
