St Henry’s Marist College winners of the Dbn Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirl's Fast 5’s Netball Challenge. Pic: Val Adamson

After a pulsating final, host school, St Henry’s Marist College were victorious in the Durban Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge on Saturday 24 August. 

 
The home team nicknamed the Sapphire Lions met Durban Girls’ High School in the regional final. After getting the main game underway, the locals sent the ball straight into the circle, and after four bold attempts, netted their first points. Girls’ High levelled forty seconds later. St Henry’s landed three 1 pointers in a row, followed by a well-crafted point down the other side. The lionesses pocketed their fifth goal, with Girls’ High making a strong finish nearing half time. Going into the second half, only 1 point separated the two, with St Heny’s up on 5 to Girls’ High School’s 4 points. 
 
Both teams stepped up their scores by yo-yo’ing play. With 80 seconds left, St Henry’s upped the tempo of the game, with fiery bursts into the visitors circle. 42 seconds left, Enzo Sithole nailed an exciting 2 pointer, taking the score slightly out of reach for Girls’ High, with the final score resting on 12 – 8, a roaring success for St Henry’s. 
 
After topping their pool, the home team proceeded to the semi-finals where they took on Durban Girls’ College. After a riveting game, only one point separated the two teams, with St Henry’s finishing on 10 and College, the defending champs in this region, finished on 9. Girls’ High School met Mandlenkosi High School in their semi-final and managed a 10-5 victory. 
 
Heading to the concluding games, St Henry’s won all of their pool games, basketing an impressive 57 goals, followed by Mandlenkosi who scored a fantastic 48 goals with three wins, finishing second. 
 
In Pool B, both Durban Girls’ College and Durban Girls’ High School finished with a draw and two wins and level on 10 points each after all of their pool games. The opening game of the challenge, College took on Girls’ High, drawing 11 all in their opening bout. Following that, College shot 45 goals in total, while Girls’ High knocked in 61 goals in total, with two big scoring games of 24 and 26 points. Girls’ High had a higher goal average, finishing on top of their pool
 
This weekend, the tournament heads to Hillcrest High School for the Highway Regional where 10 teams will take to the courts on Saturday 31 August. 
 
For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.
 

Finals Result

St Henry’s Marist College 12 vs Durban Girls’ High School 8
 
Semi-Finals Results
St Henry’s Marist College 10 vs Durban Girls’ College 9
Durban Girls’ High School 10 vs Mandlenkosi High School 5
 
Pool Results
Pool A
 
1 St Henry’s Marist College 12pts; 2 Mandlenkosi High School 9pts; 3 Inanda Seminary School 6pts; 4 Brettonwood High School 3pts; 5 Werda High School 0pts
Pool B
1 Durban Girls’ High School 10pts; 2 Durban Girls College 10pts; 3 Igagasi High School 6pts; 4 Rossburgh High School 3pts