Results Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional Wembley College: Saturday 8 May

Media Release

Wrap Up for the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional

Wembley College: Saturday 8 May

A joyous performance by host school, Wembley College saw them winning the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 8 May.

Photo by Rogan Ward

Wembley College’s Captain Sarah Barber (right) takes a shot at goals as Wartburg Kirchdorf is Lisa Lea Engelbrecht defends, during the finals of the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Wembley College in Greytown on Saturday 8 May. Wembley claimed their 1-0 victory in an exciting penalty shootout.

Wembley College won the inaugural tournament in 2011 but have since not managed to top the podium. In the regional final they took on the 2019 Defending Champs, a young Wartburg Kirchdorf team. Wartburg who have dominated this region with six wins, were luckily to have advanced through to the regional final after a spectacular performance by Domino Servite on the turf, the Tech Officials did the counting for goal differences to see who would be the team to feature against Wembley.

At the whistle, Wembley showed their intention as they charged from the middle into Wartubrg territory. A revitalised and focused Wartburg then got into gear and turned over the play and took the game straight down to Wembley’s circle. 40 seconds into the game, and the umpire blew the first short corner, for Wartburg. Wartburg’s first attack was not successful, with the keeper booting out a soft attempt. Two minutes later, Wartburg had their second short corner, but again were unable to capitalise. 

Play pivoted Wembley’s way with a few chances up at the Wartburg goals, but a Wartburg solid defence, and missed Wembley opportunities meant the scoreline was still on zero each. Nearing ten minutes of play, a fast solo-break by Ncuthukazi Dlatu from Wartburg chasing towards the Wembley keeper, with only one player to beat, agonising watched as the ball got away from her and shot out of play over the line. 

The remainder of play bounced between the two teams 22s, with Wembley claiming more possession than Wartburg. Both teams were unable to net any of their chances in their opponent’s circles until Wembley desperately knocked the ball from close to the 22 and managed to find a Wartburg foot. As the clock ticked to zero, the umpire signalled a Wembley short corner. With pressure mounting, Wembley pushed the ball out to the top of the D and fired off a hurried flick that was easily defended and cleared. Full time with the scoreboard not having moved.

The game moved to a three-person penalty shootout. First to go was Dlatu for Wartburg who fired off her shot as soon as she set foot into the circle, with the ball whizzing past the right post not giving much work for Wembley’s keeper, Sinegugu ‘Sne’ Ngcobo. Next to go was Wembley’s Vice Captain, Leah Tedder who tried valiantly but was unable to shake Wartburg’s Marissa van der Spuy defence.  Wartburg’s Lise-Lea Engelbrecht was unable to bypass the brave charge of Ngcobo who determinedly booted the ball well out of play. Kristen Steyn kept her ball close to her as she advanced for Wembley, just managing to skirt around van der Spuy and with a tight angle tapped the ball into the Wartburg goal, giving her team the big break. Wartburg’s Khanya Mhlophe’s attempt went much the way of Dlatu, as she stepped into the circle, fired off a shot that was easily deflected by a waiting Ngcobo. 

“The girls came into the tournament with the desire to win today, and they did it. It is a really good feeling. And this is the first time since 2011, so makes it very special for us!” said a delighted Wembley coach, Gareth Larkan. 

Wembley earning the win, 1-0 and the Regional Title for the second time in the Take Two of the Milestone celebratory tenth year. They are the second team this year to be crowned, joining Danville Park Girls’ High School from the Durban North Regional. 

The highly contested Highway Regional followed the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional on Sunday at Curro Hillcrest where St Mary’s D.S.G. took the honours, with another five more regionals rolling out in May, and the final two taking place in early June. 

For more info on the tournament, like the Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

ENDS

Results for SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge

Umvoti 

Wembley College: Saturday 8 May

1 Wembley College, 2 Wartburg High School, 3 Domino Servite 4 Greytown High School

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Hockey - Fixtures for Highway Regional Sunday 9 May

Looking forward to the upcoming SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, Curro Hillcrest’s Nikita Gironi (Captain) and Asanda Makhunga (Vice Captain) look forward to welcoming teams for the Highway Regional on their turf this Sunday (9 May).

Pic by Rogan Ward

Fixtures for Highway Regional

Curro Hillcrest: Sunday 9 May

In the third of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, teams from around the Highway area will congregate at Curro Hillcrest on Sunday 9 May.

Host school, Curro Hillcrest will get the ball rolling in the first game of their tournament where they face Kloof High School. Joining them on the turf on the day are Hillcrest High School, St Mary’s DSG, Thomas More College and Westville Girls’ High School.

In one of the most competitive regions in KZN, the six teams will battle it out in the hopes of dethroning St Mary’s DSG who have had a stronghold raising the regional trophy on all but one occasion over the last nine years. Fifteen quick-fire games, with a duration of 20 minutes, will result in the two top teams meeting to conclude the round robin tournament.

Scoring points on the day, a win will earn a team 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw only 1 point. In the final, if the game ends with a draw, three players from each team will head to the circle for a deciding 8 second penalty shoot-out.

Danville Park Girls’ HIgh from the Durban North Regional lifted the trophy victoriously in the first tournament in the milestone celebratory tenth year. Teams from the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional meet the day before the Highway Regional at Wembely College and then the remaining seven regionals roll out in quick succession around KZN in the next five weeks.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.

ENDS

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Take Two of the Tenth Year

SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Take Two of the Tenth Year

The hugely popular SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge is back on track this year, with a take two of their milestone tenth year. 

Having only progressed halfway through the fixtures last year, before CoViD paused play in the tournament’s celebratory year, it will be extremely exciting for the girls to get back onto the turf. It is full steam ahead for the annual girls’ hockey tournament with the ten regional tournaments rolling out in a quick-fire six weekends. 

The month of May is choc-a-block full of action with eight of the regionals taking place. Tipping off the season, Crawford La Lucia hosts the Durban North Regional on Sunday 2 May. The second tournament travels inland to Wembley College in Greytown for the uMvoti, uThukela and uMzinyathi Regional on Saturday 8 May. Curro Hillcrest will see teams from the Highway area taking to their turf on Sunday 9 May. 

The fourth tournament heads up to Richards Bay for the KZN Northern Coastal Regional with Grantleigh hosting on Saturday 15 May. Back in Durban, the fifth tournament heads to the newly laid turf at Durban Girls’ High School’s Three Schools Trust for the Durban Central Regional on Sunday 16 May.  The following weekend, the action moves inland again, this time to Newcastle to play on the brand new astro at Ferrum High School on Saturday 22 May. 

The last two tournaments in May are a double-header in Hilton on Saturday 29. St Anne’s College welcomes teams participating in both the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional and Pietermaritzburg Central Regional.

Kingsway High School will host the ninth challenge at the Three Schools Trust for the Durban South Regional on Sunday 6 June. Rounding off the 2021 season, King Edward High School will host the tenth and final regional on Sunday 12 June hosting teams from the Southern KZN 

The only difference in this year’s fixtures is the absence of the much-loved and highly anticipated Grand Finals. It will be back in all its grandeur next year. 

Tournament Director, Les Galloway from Schoolgirl Sport said, “We have really missed the action. It has been just over a year since the curtain came down on us, and I cannot wait to see the girls back on the pitch enjoying these wonderful SPAR tournaments.”

Making a welcome return, Varsity College continues their phenomenal support of girls’ hockey. Varsity College Scouts will be on the lookout at all of the tournaments for any shining stars, in the hopes of offering them a bursary.

All CoViD protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of all participating. And due to current CoViD regulations and protocols, no spectators will be allowed.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram.

ENDS

Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals St John’s D.S.G. and The Wykeham Collegiate: Sunday 3 March

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Pietermaritzburg Central and Northern Regionals

St John’s D.S.G. and The Wykeham Collegiate: Sunday 3 March

Firing up the 2019 SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge, the first two regionals tip off in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday 3 March.

Host for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional is St John’s D.S.G. while up the road, The Wykeham Collegiate will play host to the Pietermaritzburg Northern Regional. The central games get under way at 07.30am and half an hour later for the northern regional. The top two teams for both regionals will duel it out for their regional final at 01.25pm at The Wykeham Collegiate, and at 02.50pm at St John’s D.S.G. The prize givings will follow the finals for each regional.

Central hosts, St John’s are one times winners having advanced to the Grand Finals in 2017, they take on defending champs Epworth School together with six times victrix, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School. Also part of the central regional are Russell High, Alexandra High, Maritzburg Christian School and Carter High.

Wykeham have also earned the regional title once in the second tournament in 2012. St Anne’s College have dominated the area winning the regional crown seven times. Hoping to topple Saint’s domination are schools from Voortrekker High, Grace College, Howick High and Treverton and of course host The Wykeham Collegiate.

Both regionals will be using the round robin format with a win earning them 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw 1 point and a loss zero points. The match duration will last 20 minutes rolling time.

Following the first two Pietermaritzburg regionals, the tournament then travels to Durban for the Durban North and Durban Central Regionals taking place the weekend after. Once all the regionals have concluded, the regional finalists converge on the Grand Finals which takes place on 20 and 21 July at St Mary’s D.S.G.

ENDS

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge Highway Regional - May 6

SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge

Highway Regional - Westville Girls’ High School - May 6

The fiercely contested Highway Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge takes place this year at Westville Girls’ High School astroturf on Sunday, May 6.

St Mary’s DSG, six times winners of this regional and three times winners of the Grand Finals of this highly-respected school girls’ hockey event, will be focussed on holding onto their title. Only once have the defending champs been ousted from their top position, and that was by Westville Girls’ High in the 2014 tourney at Thomas More College.

This year, Westville Girls’ High will host this regional, and will no doubt be using their home-turf advantage in their attempt to break the iron grip that St Mary’s has on this region.

Sian Tarbuton coach for host school, WGHS says that their team is hard at training and looking forward to the regional. “Our indoor season was a cracker,” she enthuses. “We were placed second in the logs, only losing to St Mary's with a narrow loss of 4-2. We were so close to getting a draw and then they scored against us in the last couple minutes. Our outdoor season got off to a great start. We won the Crawford La Lucia outdoor hockey tournament held over the April holidays. We won our pool and then met Crawford La Lucia in the final, winning the tournament. We won our first outdoor hockey match of the season against Thomas More College, so we have high hopes for the season, but need to keep our composure and work hard.”

Other schools participating in this six-school regional include Curro Hillcrest, Hillcrest High, Kloof High and Thomas More College.

The tournament starts at 8am, and will be played in a round robin format. Games last 23 minutes with a quick change over at 11 minutes.  A win will earn a team 4 points, a draw with goals 2 points, a goalless draw 1 point and a loss 0. First and second places will then go head-to-head in a final match to determine the eighth regional team to go through to the Grand Finals at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof.

Other schools that have already secured their place at the Grand Finals are Ferrum Hoërskool from the Northern KZN Regional, newcomer Epworth School from PMB Central Regional, St Anne’s Diocesan from PMB Northern Regional, Durban Girls’ College from the Durban Central Regional, Amanzimtoti High School from the Durban South Regional and Our Lady of Fatima from the Durban North Regional.

For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow the tournament on Instagram.

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