At the conclusion of a riveting final, St Mary’s DSG just managed to edge out Westville Girls’ High School in an exciting conclusion to a tough day at the Highway Regional at the SPAR KZN School Girls Hockey Challenge at Thomas More College.
Featured images shows Westville Girls’ High School’s Micke Gunter pushing the ball to the sideline as St Mary’s DSG captain, Teagan Fourie watches the play during the final of the Highway Regional at the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge at Thomas More College.
The two teams met in a titanic duel in the twenty minute final, with Saints going one nil up. Hannah Shirley was the picture of calm as she confidently slotted in the only goal in the final for St Mary’s DSG. Soon after, Saints surged forward giving Westville Girls High School’s goalkeeper, Saiyuri Govender work to do in defence, deflecting a sterling shot, with the ball falling back into Saints favour with a quick fire shot going to the left hand-side of the goals. Kelsey Swanepoel from Westville displayed lightning quick reflexes as she determinedly cleared the ball off the line in what would have been Saints second goal, but brilliant work from the defender miraculously kept the ball out.
As the stopwatch neared full time, Westville earned themselves a well-crafted short-corner. As preparations got underway for the final movement of the game, the final whistle blew indicating this was the final opportunity to equal. Westville moved the ball wide of the goal but Saints defence flew out, not allowing any space for the attacking team.
Earlier in the day, Westville and St Mary’s met in the Round Robin games, and at the end of a hard fought tussle, the game ended in a goalless draw.
“What a day of hockey, we were treated to some fine display of school girls hockey! Today was all about defence, with all teams displaying fantastic skills in the back line. All of the goalkeepers got a work out with shots fired at them from all directions, and they stood solid.” enthused Tournament Director, Les Galloway.
“The whole day, there was no clear winner and right up until the second last game, we still didn’t know who was making their way to the final. It was really a thrilling day of hockey and we are truly impressed with how this region has improved. Well done to each and every one of the players, umpires and coaches who made this day a huge success!” MD for SPAR KZN, Rob Philipson said.
Hillcrest High School’s Craig van Schalkwyk was selected as the Most Promising Umpire at the tournament.
The final team has been decided after ten regionals around KZN, with St Mary’s advancing for the fifth time through to the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN School Girls Hockey Challenge.
They join nine other finalists from various regionals around the province. Sarel Cilliers from the Northern KZN Regional; St Anne’s College and Pietermaritzburg Girls High School both from the Pietermaritzburg Regionals; Durban Girls College, winners of the Durban Central Regional, Amanzimtoti representing the Durban South Regional; Ashton International from the Durban North Regional, King Edward High School from the Southern KZN Regional and recent winners of the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional – Wartburg Kirchdorf.
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