SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge
The Wykeham Collegiate: Saturday 9 March
In recent years, Howick High School has been impressing at the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. This weekend, Saturday 9 March, was no different where they finished a respectable third overall playing on the turf at The Wykeham Collegiate.
They started their day with a good win against Linpark High School. Stepping up a gear, they met defending champions, The Wykeham Collegiate in the second round ending off on a goalless draw. The Wykeham Collegiate went on to win the overall tournament for a third time since its inception in 2011. In the games against Riverwood College and Grace College, Howick High went up 1 nil in both.
With confidence high, the Howick team took their foot of the accelerator and stumbled in their game against Treverton, going down 1 nil. The statisticians were crunching numbers up until this point, with the possibility of drawing on points with Wykeham.
And in the final round robin game, they met St Anne’s College who have dominated this regional for nine years. St Anne’s took the game 2 nil.
Howick had a grand day on the turf, with three wins, one draw and two losses, they ended with 13 points overall and a respectable third place. The Wykeham Collegiate met St Anne’s College in the regional final. At full time, the game was level with both teams unable to score. The tournament moved to an 8 second penalty shootout that the host school succeeded in, winning 2 nil.
The Wykeham Collegiate join the Durban Central Regional winner, Durban Girls’ College, who are the first team to have qualified for the Grand Finals which will take place at St Mary’s D.S.G. in Kloof in July. In the back to back Maritzburg action, the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional took place on Sunday at the UKZN Astro where St John’s D.S.G. secured their spot for the third time at the Grand Finals.
The fourth tournament in the challenge heads to Curro Salt Rock where teams will participate in the Durban North Regional, followed by the Highway Regional that takes place on Sunday at Westville Girls’ High School.
For more info like the tournaments’ Facebook page (SparSchoolGirlsHockeyTournament) or follow on Instagram (sparkznhockey).
All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools App or on their website.
Overall Results
Regional Final
St Anne’s College 0 (1) vs The Wykeham Collegiate 0 (2)
Round Robin Results
1 St Anne’s College 24 points, 2 The Wykeham Collegiate 17 points, 3 Howick High School 13 points, 4 Treverton School 10 points, 5 Grace College 9 points, 6 Riverwood School 5 points, 7 Linpark High School 0 points
Top image: Perfectly balanced. Howick High School’s Abi Holmes watches her attempt as she fires in a shot during the round robin games at the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at The Wykeham Collegiate’s turf on Saturday 9 March.
Centre: Flowing. Shelley du Toit from Howick High School keeps an eye on her pass as she moves the ball up in the game against Linpark High School during the round robin game at the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at The Wykeham Collegiate’s turf on Saturday 9 March.
Below: Streeetch. Lucy Baker from Howick High School gives it her all as she prepares to go for goals during a round robin game at the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at The Wykeham Collegiate’s turf on Saturday 9 March.
Photo credit: Rogan Ward
Supplied.