The winning team The Wykeham Collegiate celebrate their victory. Pic by Val Adamson

In a momentous victory, The Wykeham Collegiate toppled host school, St Anne’s College in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place on Saturday 22 April.

 
As soon as play got underway in the regional final, Wykeham pushed up into Saint’s circle, with the visitor’s first attempt at goal coming just 49 seconds into the match with a flashy reverse stick shot fired wide. An intrepid Wykeham team mounted on the pressure as they sent wave after wave of assaults, earning themselves a second chance two minutes into play, with a reverse stick tomahawk lifting off and flying right over the cross bar. 
 
Nearing three minutes into the game, Saints got possession of the ball and launched their first run down into Wykeham territory, but a synchronized defense calmly snuffed out the home teams’ effort, sending the ball back up to their forwards who led a bold counter-attack. The Wykeham Collegiate’s front line got into some space entering the circle and managed to send off a low rocket, their first threatening shot that Imi Somhlahlo, the brave keeper from St Anne’s comfortably defended. 
 
A burst from St Anne’s found a hole in the Wykeham defense just after 19 minutes into the final, presenting a rare opportunity with a one on one chance. Steaming for the first time into the TWC circle, the charge forward got sidetracked by nifty tackle, with the defender hitting the gas and motoring away with a sharp u-turn dousing the defending champs first possibility. 
 
Midway through the final, Wykeham were awarded the first short corner, an eager defender from St Anne’s was blown for an early break leaving only three players and Somhlahlo for the retake. The second short corner was sent to the castle with the striker wasting no time and fiercely knocking in her shot, but agonizingly the ball hurtled past the left post and out, resulting in a 16 and a breather for Saints. 
 
With time waning, Wykeham won their third short corner. The ball was ejected to the castle, trapped and then flicked goalwards. Somhlahlo reacted with cat-like reflexes putting her right paw out and evaded letting the ball beyond her and into her goals. Play ensued with the umpire halting the messy action, signaling for Wykeham’s fourth short corner. In similar fashion the ball was sent to the castle, and flicked but Saints’ first wave stormed towards the impending shooter and shielded the strike, quickly sending the play up to her forwards. 
 
Continuing their phenomenal form, Wykeham closed down any opportunity Saints had, not giving them any room to settle or find their feet, constantly barraging them and dominating possession. With less than three minutes on the scoreboard, the visitors flew down the right, with a magical break, running into the circle and letting rip of a swift missile that whizzed across the goal mouth. 
 
Thirty seconds later, back on the hunt, Wykeham’s Emily Wilson and Amy Macaskill had an awesome breakaway run. With only one defender to beat, Wilson drew them to her as she curved right and then timed her pass to Macaskill perfectly. Now in mid-circle, Macaskill with only Somhlahlo to beat balanced herself and slapped the ball right, just out of reach from the hard working Somhlahlo, netting their regional winning goal. 
 
The scoreline remained on 1 nil, with Wykeham being the deserved winners after a fantastic display of skills throughout the 25 minutes in the final. Earlier that day in the round robin stages, Saints were victorious in all of their games, including the dress rehearsal for the main game, beating Wykeham 2-1. But the locals ran out of steam, with the visitors digging deep wanting the win more. 
 
This is the second time that The Wykeham Collegiate have lifted the trophy since the tournament’s inception in 2011. The first time they were crowned champions was in 2012, and this win dethrones St Anne’s after dominating this area after a nine year winning streak, and a win in the inaugural year. 
 
Recognised for his efforts with the whistle, Nkanyiso Masinga from St Anne’s College was announced as the Umpire of the Day. 
 
The Wykeham Collegiate is the fifth 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) at the concluding tournament that will take place at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 22 and 23 July.
 
The tournament moved down to Creston College the next day (Sunday 23 April) for the Sisonke and uGu Regional. Then a week’s 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. 
 
Round Robin Results
1 St Anne’s College 20pts; 2 The Wykeham Collegiate 16pts; 3 Howick High School 8pts; 4 Treverton College 8pts; 5 Voortrekker High School 4pts; 6 Grace College 0pts
 
Regional Final
St Anne’s College 0 vs The Wykeham Collegiate 1