Hoërskool Suid Natal claimed victory in the Sisonke and uGu Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Sunday 23 April. Photo: Val Adamson

Christening the new astro turf at Creston College, ten teams gave it their all when they converged for an action-packed Sisonke and uGu Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls Hockey Challenge on Sunday 23 April.
 

The strongest two teams of the day, Suid Natal and Kokstad College met in the regional final and played their hearts out, leaving everything on the turf. There was nothing in it between the two schools who entertained the large crowds from start to finish, keeping everyone riveted and on the edge of their seats. In an epic conclusion, Suid Natal managed to hold strong and go one up on Kokstad College, winning their very first title since the tournament’s inception in 2011. 
 
Suid Natal claimed most of the possession throughout the final, with several magnificent runs at the Kokstad box but just lacked the all important finishing touches to convert their fine attacks into goals. In the 20 minutes of play, they were awarded six short corners, five of which were in a row with four immediate retakes being blown for various Kokstad infringements. Kokstad only had one chance for a set piece in the Suid Natal circle, but similar to their counterparts, were unable to find a hole in the hard-working defense. 
 
Kokstad didn’t have much time down at their oppositions goals but when an opportunity did present itself, Kokstad looked dangerous but also were unable to slot in a triumphant trophy-lifting goal. At full time, the scoreline sat at nil nil, with the match heading to the penalty spot. Three players each faced their competitor’s keeper in a deciding penalty shootout. In the three rounds, Suid Natal knocked in their first round and Kokstad leveled in their second round. At the conclusion of the three sequences, the nail-biting final moved onto a sudden death. The shootout would continue until one team missed.
 
Both Suid Natal and Kokstad netted their first attempts, leveling on two all. Suid Natal’s Luca Meyer set off directly goalwards, nearing the keeper she pulled the ball left and then right, wrong footing Kokstad’s Lulutho Dalawana and neatly punched in her shot taking the score to 3-2. Kokstad’s Esha Desai was next to go, she also charged directly goalwards. As she neared the goal, an unmoving Anrika Badenhorst eyed her efforts. Desai slowed her run and slapped the ball in but an eagle-eyed Badenhorst pounced on the ball managing to deflect it well out of danger and in so doing, earning her team victory. 
 
A bright talent in the world of umpiring, Kiolin Gouws from Kokstad College was acknowledged as the Most Promising Umpire. 
 
Newcomers, Suid Natal is the sixth team to earn a spot at the Grand Finals this year, they join Danville Park Girls’ High School (DBN North Regional), St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional), Kuswag Hoërskool (Durban South Regional) and Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July.
 
The tournament takes a week break before travelling up to Newcastle for the Northern KZN Regional hosted by St Dominic’s School on Saturday 6 May.
 
For more info like the tournament’s Facebook page or follow on Instagram.
 
All games will be livestreamed on the SuperSport Schools app or on their website. 
 
Pool Results
Pool A
1 Kokstad College 10pts; 2 Creston College 9pts; 3 St Patrick’s College 7pts; 4 King Edward High School 3pts; 5 Scottburgh High School 1pts
Pool B
1 Suid Natal Hoërskool 12pts; 2 Southcity Christian School 9pts; 3 Port Shepstone High School 5pts; 4 Bergview 3pts; 5 Ixopo High School 1pt
 
Cross Pool Results
1 Suid Natal Hoërskool; 2 Kokstad College; 3 Southcity Christian School; 4 Creston College; 5 St Patrick’s College; 6 Port Shepstone High School; 7 King Edward High School; 8 Bergview College; 9= Scottburgh High School; 9= Ixopo High School
 
Final Score
Suid Natal Hoërskool 0 (3) vs Kokstad College 0 (2)