Kingsway High School won the South Coast Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge on Saturday 27 July at Creston College.

Netting the triple, Kingsway High School hoisted the South Coast Regional trophy for the third consecutive year after defeating Kuswag Skool at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge on Saturday 27 July at Creston College in Port Shepstone. The top two teams clashed in an Amanzimtoti derby where only one point separated the two teams after a monumental final.

 Kuswag were first to threaten after 16 seconds, with a surge directly after the opening whistle, but unfortunately, missing their target. Capitalising on the turnaround, the ball was whipped up to the sturdy goal shooter, Olwethu Hlongwa from Kingsway, who was camped under the net on the other end and slotted in the first point for the defending champs.
 
Sixteen seconds later, Kuswag sent the ball up to their frontline and equalised. The remainder of the first half, the scoreline seesawed up, Kingsway entered half time being a single point ahead, with Hlongwa netting all 7 points from under the post and Kuswag notching up 6 points, including an exciting two pointer bagged by Clarise Botha.
 
In the second half, there was absolutely nothing between the two teams. The tempo of the game was dialled up a notch with both teams probing on either end after short, sharp attacking plays that were mostly well defended. After the 8 minutes, both teams had pocketed 5 points each, with Kuswag’s Botha looping in two breathtaking two pointers, while Kingsway knocked in five valuable one pointers. The single point difference going into half time being the all-important challenge decider for Kingsway.
 
Playing the bookend games, the two finalists met in the first game of the day, where Kuswag were victorious going up 10 – 8. Kuswag had a successful build up to the finals, winning all of their round robin games while Kingsway only registered the one loss and finished second overall. In the semi-finals, Kuswag met Suid Natal Hoërskool, who finished third on the log while Kingsway took on KwaMakhuta Comprehensive High School who finished the round robin in fourth.
 
Kuswag had a cracker of a first half, leading 8 – 3 in the first semi, but the local team, Suidies fought back in the second half, with a 6 - 4 count for them but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough for the Port Shepstone based team to go through to the concluding round, Kuswag were victorious 12 – 9. In the second semi, Kingsway and KwaMakhuta were neck-and-neck on points, with Kingsway being only 1 point ahead midway with a 6-5 lead. The defending champs dominated the second half, going up another 7 points and only allowing the hard-working KwaMakhuta 1 point, earning their chance to defend their title.
 
Matrics participating in the netball, also have the opportunity of winning a bursary that is valued at R74,000 through eta College.
 
The next challenge heads to King Edward High School in Matatiele for the KZN Southern Regional on Saturday 3 August. All games will be livestreamed on SuperSport Schools.
 
Finals Result
Kuswag Skool 11 vs Kingsway High School 12
 
Semi-Finals Results
Kuswag Skool 12 vs Suid Natal High School 9
Kingsway High School 13 vs KwaMakhuta Comprehensive High School 6
 
Round Robin Results
1 Kuswag Skool, 2 Kingsway High School, 3 Suid Natal Hoërskool, 4 KwaMakhuta Comprehensive High School, 5 Southcity Christian School, 6 Port Shepstone High School, 7 Kuswag Skool Seconds, 8 Creston College