Wrapping up the tenth regional, Ferrum High School successfully defended their title, lifting the Northern KZN Regional trophy for the tenth time at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge which took place at St Dominic’s Newcastle on Saturday 31 May. 

 
They met a spirited team from Newcastle High School in the concluding game which had supporters on the edge of their seats. ‘Fear em Ferrum’ settled straight away into their stride, making their intentions clear from the get-go. 
 
Having beaten them 2 nil in the second fixture of the day in the round robin stage, Ferrum dominated their remaining 5 matches, knocking in 18 more goals and finishing on 24 points in total. Newcastle had a more colourful path to their first ever Regional Final appearance, winning three, drawing two and losing to Ferrum, and only netting four goals in total and allowing only the two Ferrum goals in. They finished second on the log with 14 points. 
 
The first six minutes, Ferrum layered their plays, with tremendous support surrounding the ball carrier as they charged up into the Newcastle’s half. Standing firm was Newcastle’s last line of defence, small in stature big in heart, Lilly Akobian who had the game of the tournament and certainly put her hand up for player of the final. Akobian rose to the occasion, with some miraculously bold saves, keeping a clean sheet for the first half of the final. 
 
When Newcastle bravely overturned the ball valiantly, the defenders battled to find any gaps as Ferrum’s onion style of playing hampered their flow, beating one player, they were met by another and another. Fired up by the phenomenal display Akobian was putting on, her teammates all stepped up a gear, igniting the most enthralling final. Ferrum met their match as Newcastle was not lying down at all.
 
Ferrum earned their first short corner after nearly 8 minutes of play which was well defended. Two minutes later, they were back in the Newcastle half with their second short corner. In a spectacular set piece, the ball was injected to the second castle, with a fabulous fake stop, the ball continued to a player hanging behind them. Without hesitation, she ricocheted the ball left, which then was glanced across the goal to Lizandre Berry who was lurking in the middle of the circle. Berry wasted no time and neatly pocketed the only goal scored beyond the hard-working Akobian. 
 
The remainder had play yo-yo up and down, with both teams nobly endeavouring on either side, Newcastle desperately trying to level, while Ferrum working hard to relieve the mounting pressure. The whistle blasting to the relief of Ferrum’s focused team, and the heartbreak of Newcastle who almost caused the upset of the challenge. 
 
Impressive with the whistle, Umpire of the Day went to crowd favourite, Blessing Maphosa from the host school. St Dominic’s Newcastle. 
 
Ferrum is the last team to be earn their berth at the Grand Finals which takes place at St Mary’s D.S.G on 26 and 27 July. They will join St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional); newcomer Maris Stella (Durban Central Regional); Epworth School (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s School (Pietermaritzburg North Regional); the second newcomer, Kingsway High School (Durban South Regional); Ashton International College (Durban North Regional); Felixton College (North Coast Regional); and St Patrick’s College (Southern KZN Regional) and most recently, and Wartburg Kirchdorf School (uMvoti and oThukela Regional).

Pic: Shelley Kjonstad.
For more info on the tournament, follow it on various social media platforms. 
 

Results

Regional Final
Ferrum High School 1 vs Newcastle High School 0
 
Round Robin Results
1 Ferrum High School 24pts; 2 Newcastle High School 14pts; 3 St Dominic’s Newcastle 11pts; 4 Amajuba High School 9pts; 5 Dundee High School 7pts; 6 Sarel Cilliers High School 6pts; 7 Pongola Akademie 1pt