SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge PMB Central Regional - Epworth School - Saturday 14 March

St John’s D.S.G Clinch Fourth Pietermaritzburg Central Title In Dramatic Shootout

For the fourth consecutive year, the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge was decided in a nail-biting penalty shootout, with St John’s D.S.G claiming their fourth regional title at the tournament hosted by Epworth School on Saturday, 14 March. 🏑

St John’s faced host school and defending champions Epworth School in a gripping final that saw play flowing from end to end across the astro. Both sides produced moments of brilliant attacking play, mounting sustained pressure and driving into each other’s circles, only for equally impressive defensive efforts to halt the advances and turn possession around.

Epworth earned three short corners during the match, the first coming just 68 seconds into the game. However, St John’s defence stood firm, preventing the hosts from converting any of the opportunities.

At the opposite end, St John’s secured two short corners. Their first involved an elaborate build-up that saw the ball injected to the top of the circle, shifted left, then returned to the injector before being worked back to the top of the D. Epworth’s defenders tracked the movement closely, charging down the ball before the attacker could unleash her final shot.

St John’s final short corner came with only 12 seconds remaining. Slowing the pace, the team opted for a simple and skilful execution, pushing the ball to the castle before firing a powerful flick at goal. The effort was neatly saved, leaving the score 0–0 at full time and sending the match to a penalty shootout.

Shootout Drama Decides The Title

Both teams nominated six players to take the pressure-filled penalties.

Ananbele Balmer opened the shootout for St John’s, drifting left before sliding the ball beneath a diving Epworth goalkeeper Kenya Zwane.

Epworth responded through Siphokazi Mpantshane, who charged toward goal and executed a clever 360-degree spin, deceiving St John’s goalkeeper Deborah Lock before calmly slotting the ball home to level the score.

In the second round, Emma Williams stepped up for St John’s. She initially veered left before changing direction and pushing the ball past Zwane into the centre of the goal.

Epworth’s Owami Mthethwa then attempted to equalise, but Lock showed tremendous awareness, rushing off her line to narrow the angle. Under pressure, Mthethwa attempted a hurried shot but was denied by the alert goalkeeper.

With the chance to secure victory, Kate van Breda stepped up for St John’s in the final round. Mirroring Williams’ approach, she calmly placed her shot into the goal, sealing the win and the regional title.

The final shootout result saw St John’s D.S.G triumph 3–1 after the match ended 0–0 in regulation time.

Tournament Highlights

A promising young umpire representing St John’s, Marcel Diaz, impressed throughout the day with his cheerful presence and confident officiating during the closely contested matches.

Meanwhile, Grade 12 learner Cara MacFarlane from Epworth School walked away with a brand-new Princess hockey stick after winning the lucky draw prize held during the 20-minute break before the finals. 🎉

Road To The Grand Finals

The top ten regional teams will converge at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grand Finals scheduled for July at St Mary’s D.S.G.

With their victory, St John’s D.S.G becomes the third team to secure a spot, joining:

• Our Lady of Fatima (Durban North Regional)
• Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional)

In another regional event, St Anne’s Diocesan College claimed victory in the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on Sunday, 15 March.

With six regional tournaments still to be played, the competition will continue travelling across KwaZulu-Natal in the coming weeks as teams battle for the remaining places in the Grand Finals.

Results

Regional FinalEpworth School 0 (1) vs St John’s D.S.G 0 (3)

Round Robin Standings

1. St John’s D.S.G – 24 pts
2. Epworth School – 20 pts
3. Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School – 16 pts
4. Maritzburg Christian School – 6 pts
5. Carter High School – 3 pts
6. Russell High School – 3 pts
7. Alexandra High School – 2 pts