Edendale Technical High School won the Pietermaritzburg Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge. Pic:Rogan Ward
 

Wrapping up the 2024 SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge, Edendale Technical High School claimed a well-deserved victory in the Pietermaritzburg Regional hosted by Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School on Saturday 5 October. 

 
The newcomers met host and defending champs, Girls’ High in a tightly contested regional final that went down to the wire. Only one point separated the two teams at the final whistle with Edendale going up 9 to Girls’ High’s 8 points. Edendale took the lead after 28 seconds of play, netting their first goal. Girls High responded, levelling after 68 seconds of probing down in the Edendale circle. 
 
The scoreline see-sawed up equally with both teams increasing their scoreline by 1point. On either side of half time, Edendale managed to basket back-to-back goals, going into half time ahead by 5-3. On the other side of halftime, Girls’ High came back answering with their own back-to-back goals, levelling again at 5 all. 
 
The pattern continued, both teams content to step up their scores by 1 point, with the scoreboard sitting on 8 all and 2 and a half minutes left on the stopwatch. Possession was slightly more in their favour of Girls’ High but the hard-working back line for Edendale neatly closed down a number of their attempts. 
 
With the clock going under 2 minutes, Edendale poked their nose ahead, sinking their ninth goal. Girls’ High restarted and for the next minute threatened. A promising attack down their left was thwarted by a spectacular moment by Edendale’s Goal Attack, Ayabonga Miya, who launched herself from the centre of the court, her full body dive perfectly timed for a right-handed swat, knocking the Girls’ High cunning pass out of play and taking the wind out of the defending champs sails. This moment of sheer commitment faltered Girls’ Highs play, giving the visitors a breather, allowing them to defend their minute, slim lead in the last minute of the final. 
 
Girls’ High were undefeated going into the final, being victorious throughout their pool games, and cross-pool semi-final where they took on Albini Girls’ High School. In Pool B, the story was not as clear cut with three teams finishing on 12 points, each loosing one game. 
 
Edendale, Albini and The Wykeham Collegiate were all tied up after their five pool games. Edendale topped the log with the better goal percentage of 178%, scoring 66 goals and only letting 37 points in. Albini was second with 61 goals for and 36 against and a goal percentage of 169% and then The Wykeham Collegiate finishing with 153%, after they managed to go up 46 goals and let in only 30 against them. 
 
Edendale’s only loss was in their first game against Albini High School, after a late arrival allowed Albini to score freely until Edendale flooded the court to quickly defend and make up for lost time. Edendale met one times winner, St Anne’s College in their semi. After a determined game, they took the honours 10 to 1. 
 
The 2024 SPAR Netball season concludes after 8 fantastic regionals. Dates for 2025 will be announced early in the new year. 
 

Results

Finals Result
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 8 vs Edendale Technical High School 9
 
Semi-Finals Results
Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 14 vs Albini Girls’ High School 11
Edendale Technical High School 10 vs St Anne’s College 1
 

Pool Results

Pool A
1 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 15pts; 2 St Anne’s College 12pts; 3 Maritzburg Christian School 9 pts; 4 Russell High School 4pts; 5 Riverwood College 4pts; 6 Domino Servite 0pts
 
Pool B
1 Edendale Technical High School 12 pts; 2 Albini Girls’ High School 12pts; 3 The Wykeham Collegiate 12pts; 4 Wartburg Kirchdorf School 4 pts; 5 St Nicholas Diocesan School 2pts; 6 St Anne’s College Seconds 1pt