Wartburg Kirchdorf Joins SPAR KZN Finalists

Defending champions for the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional, Wartburg Kirchdorf School once again topped the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament log on a cold and misty day at Wembley College on Saturday, 10 May, 2014.

Rain squalls persistently blew across the field, but this did not put a damper on the girls’ spirits and games as seven schools took to the picturesque setting on the recently laid astro turf in the battle for the regional hockey title.

Wartburg Kirchdorf played a determined game, scoring 11 goals in total with only one goal being scored against them by fellow German school, Hermannsburg. Wartburg will make their second appearance at the provincial finals of the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament, hoping to better their eighth overall in the province.

Ladysmith High School – who made it to the tournament’s finals in 2012, missed the 2013 regionals due to prior commitments, but made a strong impact in this year’s regional, holding the defending champions to a nil-nil draw.

Ladysmith finished the day one point behind Wartburg, an impressive comeback, having lost their first game against host school, Wembley.

Third-placed Wembley had a notable tournament, losing against Wartburg and drawing against Estcourt, to finish the day with 14 points. Having played in the finals of the inaugural competition, Webley were a mere three points behind Wartburg and two behind Ladysmith, showing how close the competition is in these parts.

The format of the day saw 21 games being played with teams dueling for 20 minutes. Three points were awarded for a win, one point for a draw and a bonus point went to the team that scored three or more goals. Wembley, and Wartburg managed to get one bonus point each and Ladysmith racking up two bonus points.

Tournament Director, Les Galloway said, “My hat goes off to all the teams that participated. The miserable weather did not deter from the great spirit shown on and off the field. Last year the regional was postponed due to torrential rains, and this weekend we sat watching as large patches of mist settled above the pitch.”

Sarah Wheeler from Greytown High School was awarded the Most Promising Umpire for the Umvoti, uThukela and Umzinyathi Regional. This is the fourth time that she has been awarded this title, and is the only umpire in the province to make an appearance at every single final. She will be joining nine other umpires from around the province at the finals.

SPAR KZN’s MD, Rob Philipson said, “I am eager to see how the quality of hockey improves in the future in this area with the magnificent new pitch. This bodes well for the teams that have the privilege to play and practice on it, and I am delighted to see how this great game is growing in our province.”

The next regional will be played this Saturday at Grantleigh School in Richards Bay, concluding all of the regionals for 2014.

The 2014 finals will be the finals that will take place at Thomas More College and St Mary’s DSG on 26 and 27 July, and will see Wartburg Kirchdorf School join Ferrum High School, Kokstad High School, St Anne’s High School, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School, Durban Girls’ College, Durban Girls’ High School, Danville Girls’ High School and this season’s only newcomers so far, Westville Girls High School.

Main photo caption: Slip sliding away, Wartburg Kirchdorf’s Elke Engelbrecht loses her footing during the SPAR KZN Regional Hockey Tournament in Greytown. Seven teams competed in misty wet conditions at Wembley College on the recently laid astro turf with Wartburg defending their title successfully. Photo: Sophie Thompson

(With editing by gsport)