Kuswag Hoërskool celebrates their win in the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge. Pic: Val Adamson

Kuswag Hoërskool defended their title in a gutsy display where they met a determined Kingsway High School team in the final of the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at 3 Schools Trust on Saturday 15 April. 

 
It took the hosts, Kuswag, a few minutes to settle into their stride in an action packed Toti derby. Kingsway got off to a cracker of a start pushing play up to Kuswag’s defence almost immediately after the whistle but were unable to find their players to finish off their attacks with Kuswag’s players marking well at the back. 
 
After 4 minutes of play, Kuswag had a glimmer of hope as they broke into the Kingsway circle, but it didn’t last long as the Kingsway defence turned play around quickly, fizzling out Kuswag’s first real attempt.
 
With their momentum building, Kuswag managed to turn possession in their favour, with more threatening runs down into Kingsway’s territory but the last line of Kingsway’s defence stood firm through every surge, not allowing the ball into their box. Kuswag earned two short corners in quick succession mid-way through the final but both golden opportunities sputtered allowing Kingsway time to compose themselves and continue persevering at the other end. 
 
Kingsway in turn found space as they stretched their legs with beautiful runs up the side lines but were just missing the magical conclusion as they got nearer the Kuswag goal line.
 
The final whistle blasted with both teams been unable to net any chances during the twenty minutes. The game progressed to a penalty shoot out with three players from each team stepping up to the spot with the objective of outsmarting the oppositions goalie. 
 
Kuswag got the ball rolling, with captain Maya Pretorius setting off first charging in and firing off her attempt that was confidently blocked by Kingsway’s Ayanda Mpila. Siphokazi Ndutshungu was first to go for Kingsway, in her attempt she also entered the circle and sent the ball goalwards but the shot was skilfully stopped and ushered away by Kuswag’s Diante Cremer’s outstretched stick. 
 
In the second round, Shyloh van Zyl met the boisterous advances of Mpila as she ran the ball into the circle for Kuswag but didn’t get far as the fearless keeper snubbed out her effort as soon as she got into the D. Kingsway’s second round was taken by a focused Keiyona Achary who speedily fired off her shot that agonisingly shaved past the right upright. 
 
An assertive Kingsway’s Mpila again bolted out of goals at the start of the third round, hindering Kuswag’s Zahnre de Beer’s attack and not allowing play to advance beyond the top of the D. Lauren Schoeman stepped up for Kingsway’s third penalty shot and similar to Achary, rolled the ball into the circle and sent the ball flying, with the same result as Achary as the ball blasted right of goal. 

The regional final moved to sudden death, Achary bravely went first and opted to change up her strategy, running play to the left as she drew Cremer off her line. With time dwindling fast, Achary now alongside the baseline, snuck the ball past Cremer. With centimeters to go before the ball crossed over the goal line, the dreaded 8 second whistle blew ending Kingsway glimmer of the all-important goal. 

Captain courageous was first to go for her team, savvy to Mpila’s enthusiasm a calm Pretorius rounded the keepers advances and continued running the ball firmly into the back of Kingsway box, clinching the game and the final in spectacular fashion. 
 
At the conclusion of the round robin games, both Kuswag and Kingsway were neck and neck, ending level on 14 points each. In their five games, both teams drew two and won three, with their round robin game concluding in a nil nil draw. Kuswag took pole position having scored eight goals to Kingsway’s seven in their five games. 
 
Two umpires were acknowledged for their hard work with the whistle, Chris Clark from Kingsway earned the title of Umpire of the Day award while New Forest High Schools Nonhlanhla Shezi was recognised as the Most Promising Umpire at the challenge.
 
Kuswag joins two other teams who have already secured their berth at the Grand Finals that will take place on the weekend of the 22 and 23 July at St Mary’s DSG. Danville Park Girls High School (Durban North Regional) and St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional) were the first two teams to earn their spot out of the ten regions in this challenge. 
 
All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools’ mobile app or website. 
 

Round Robin Results

1 Kuswag Hoërskool 14pts; 2 Kingsway High School 14pts; 3 Amanzimtoti High School 10pts; 4 New Forest High School 7pts; 5 Werda School 5pts; 6 Queensburgh Girls’ High School 0pts
 

Regional Final Result

Kuswag Hoërskool 0 (1) vs Kingsway High School 0 (0)

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