Jubilant Kuswag team celebrates their win at the Durban South leg of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Photo: Val Adamson

Kuswag Hoërskool took the top honours in the Durban South Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Sunday 10 April at the 3 Schools Trust Astro in Glenwood. 

 
With under a minute on the clock Kuswag managed to find a hole in the sterling last line of Kingsway High School’s defence. After 24 minutes, both teams managed to get some game-time in each other’s circle, with Kuswag’s aim being more on target. Captain for Kingsway, Aphiwe Masuku had some work to do as she whizzed around magically keeping Kuswag’s attempts away. She kept the ball out as Kuswag pelted her with several attempts but she was unable to keep an unmarked Silke Bester’s sneaky shot from slightly right of the top of the D, rolling across the goal line with only 56 seconds left of play.  
 
Kuswag had more possession during the regional final and looked more threatening taking the game up with several well-crafted surges. Captain Anandi Strydom was the first Kuswag player to take aim at Kingsway’s goals, as she fired in a reverse stick shot midway through the final, with Bester directly following up with a missile fired from the top of the D. With 6 minutes and 23 seconds remaining, Kuswag secured the first and only short corner of the game, but Kingsway’s backline managed to stand strong and keep their neighbours at bay. 
 
Strydom was again in the action, with yet another go for goals as she weaved and spun along the circle, spinning around and fired off her shot that was met by the ever present Masuku. Nearing a minute remaining, Strydom again had some space on the circle and tried to find a gap with yet another shot that was defended. The ball popped out to the right where a waiting Bester pounced on the ball and fired off the regional winning goal. 
 
Both teams were completely level as they advanced through the day and ended with three wins and a draw against each other in the round robin. 
 
Eleven games were played in wet weather, with the girls all relishing the cooler conditions. 
 
Captain for the winning team. Anandi Strydom said after the game, “It was an amazing experience playing in the rain. I think all the schools that were here, and gave us the opportunity to come play were fantastic and well done to Kingsway for hosting a wonderful day.”
 
Continuing, she said, “Playing against Kingsway at the end was brilliant, we couldn’t have asked for a better team to play against. Silke scored right at the end. It was really tough; we were so evenly matched the entire final. It was literally 50 / 50 the whole time making for a great game.” 
 
When the two medaling teams met in the round robin game earlier in the day, a composed Kingsway backline kept Kuswag’s attempts from amounting to anything, with three spectacular saves from Masuku in the goals keeping the scoreline level to a goalless draw. 
 
Recognised for his efforts, Nick Vinek from Amanzimtoti High School was awarded the Umpire of the Day.
 
Kuswag join five teams who have already secured their spot for the Grand Finals, the other finalists are Pionier Hoërskool (Northern KZN Regional); St Anne’s College (PMB North Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (PMB Central Regional); Our Lady of Fatima (DBN North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional).
 
The next tournament heads inland to Matatiele to King Edward High School for the Sisonke and Ugu Regional on 23 April. 
 
For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram. All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools website or app. 
 
Results
1 Kuswag Hoërskool 2 Kingsway High School 3 Werda School 5 Points 4 New Forest High School 2 Points 5 Amanzimtoti High School 1 Point
 
Game Scores 
Werda 0 vs New Forest 0 
Kuswag 5 vs Toti 0 
Kingsway 2 vs Werda 0 
Kuswag 1 vs New Forest 0 
Kingsway 2 vs Toti 0 
Kuswag 2 vs Werda 0 
Amanzimtoti 0 vs New Forest 0 
Kingsway 0 vs Kuswag 0 
Werda 1 vs Toti 0 
Kingsway 2 vs New Forest 0 
Final Kuswag 1 vs Kingsway 0