Ferrum High School is back, beating Vryheid High 1-nil to reclaim the Northern KZN Regional title of the Spar KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge for a record ninth time since the tournament’s inception in 2011, on home turf on Saturday, 11 May, 2024.
In the regional final, the hosts met travelling team, a staunch challenge from tournament surprise package in Vryheid High School, for the second time.
The group-stage early encounter saw Vryheid, led by feisty captain Sphesihle Kunene pushing hard to keep Ferrum on their toes, and Kunene was never far from the action, with several exciting runs midfield, charging into her opponent’s circle.
Ferrum’s captain, Joey du Preez was equally involved, choreographing play from the middle, threading the ball up to her powerhouse forwards.
In the main game, Ferrum continued their momentum, earning the game’s first short corner with just 43 seconds on the clock, the first of several quality set pieces were exquisitely defended by the visitors.
Both teams crafted some thrilling breakaways to pierce the oppositions’ circle. Nearing 7 minutes, Amahle Mbatha determinedly entered the Vryheid ‘D’ after a short sharp run, and wasting no time, she hammered in an unstoppable shot that rocketed into the back of the net, taking her team up 1-nil and netting victory for her team.
Umpire of the Day went to Lucrecia Struwig representing her Alma Mater. A 2018 Ferrum matriculant, Struwig has travelled four times to the Grand Finals, twice as a player in 2017 and 2018 and then with her whistle in 2019 and 2020.
All spots have now been filled for the Grand Finals that will be held at St Mary’s D.S.G. in Kloof in July, and Nothern KZN Regional champ Ferrum fills the final place to complete the qualified field.
Schools Qualified for the 2024 Spar KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Grand Finals
Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional)
The Wykeham Collegiate (Pietermaritzburg North Regional)
St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional)
Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional)
St Mary’s DSG (Highway Regional)
Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional)
Grantleigh School (KZN North Coastal Regional)
St Patrick’s College (Ugu and Sisonke Regional)
Ladysmith High School (uMvoti and oThukela Regional)
Final Results of the Northern KZN Regional at the Spar KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Ferrum High School on Saturday, 11 May, 2024
Ferrum High School 1 – 0 Vryheid High School
Semi Finals
Ferrum High School 0 (3) – 0 (1) Curro St Dominics Newcastle
Sarel Cilliers High School 0 (0) – 0 (1) Vryheid High School
Pool A
1. Ferrum High School 14 points
2. Vryheid High School 11 points
3. Ferrum High School Inv 9 points
4. Pongola Academy 4 points
5. Utrecht High School
Pool B
1. Sarel Cilliers High School 13 points
2. Curro St Dominics Newcastle 12 points
3. Dundee High School 8 points
4. Newcastle High School 4 points
5. Amajuba High School 1 point
Original Copy: Elf Works, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Ferrum High defeated Northern KZN Regional finalists Vryheid High School 1-nil for a record ninth 2024 KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Regional title, on home ground on Saturday, 11 May, 2024. Photo: Val Adamson
Photo 2 Caption: The final’s sole goal scorer, Ferrum High School’s Amahle Mbatha takes the attack to Vryheid High. Photo: Val Adamson
Photo 3 Caption: Ferrum High’s Luné Holder prepares to shoot. Ferrum joins regional winners for the 2024 Grand Finals, at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof this July. Photo: Val Adamson
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