SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge Pietermaritzburg Regional - Epworth School - Saturday 10 October

Ending on a high, Edendale Technical High School earned their second victory in the Pietermaritzburg Regional, the final regional wrapping up the sixth year of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Challenge, hosted by Epworth School on Saturday 10 October.

An undefeated St John’s D.S.G. met an unstoppable Edendale in the final game after both teams paved their way topping their respective pools and then conquering their opponents in the semi-finals. Edendale who first hoisted the trophy in 2024, got the game underway but a rapid intercept gave St John’s the edge to net the first goal after only 25 seconds of play. Edendale responded 20 seconds later, levelling the scoreline. 

Edendale’s Miya Ayabonga and Ndlovu Azande shared the spoils in the first half, basketing 8 goals to St Johns’ 4. Getting the second half underway, the tiny crackerjack centre, Madondo Aphiwe quickly piled on the pressure, sending the ball up to her feisty forwards. Shifting a gear, the agile Edendale team wasted no time to add to their halftime tally with Ayabonga securing a point from under the goal.

St John’s only scored once in the second half – thanks to a stunning Noella Edkins 2 pointer that looped into the goal after two and a half minutes of play. Content with nudging the scoreline up by 1 pointers, Edendale increased their total with surefire shots from just under the goal. On the rare occasion that the St John’s attackers had the luxury of an opportunity, the Edendale defence quickly shut down the surge, forcing St John’s to brave the more challenging long-range shots in the hopes of catching up Edendale’s ever-increasing total. 

Conducted by the agile Aphiwe, who created space in every play, moved the ball around to her ‘on their toes’ shooters, with the clock winding down, the Edendale forwards were given the freedom for some more flamboyant attacks, airing several near crackers that hit the rim and frustratingly fell out of play. The final score was a convincing win for Edendale, 17 – 6. 

This year’s regional drew the biggest entry since the tournament’s inception, with 18 schools vying for the title. They were broken up into three pools with the log leader advancing to the semi-finals, and the ‘wild card’ entry going to the team with the highest number of goals scored. 

Featuring in their second SPAR KZN Fast 5’s, St John’s who made the regional final last year met Grace College, also making their second appearance at the tournament, played in their first semi-final. The scoreline went in favour of St John’s 8 – 4. In the second semi-final, two times winner and defending champs, Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School claimed the ‘wild card’ entry netting 60 goals in total, one more than host school, Epworth School. Keen to keep their record of reaching the regional final every year, Girls’ High went on to meet the formidable Edendale. Continuing their tempo, Edendale dominated the game, punching their ticket for the final with an impressive 14 – 6 result. 

After 48 games, 384 minutes and 682 goals, the final regional wraps up this year’s challenges with planning already underway for a fantastic 2027 season. 

For more info on the challenge, follow it on its various social media channels.

Results

Regional Final

Edendale Technical High School 17 vs St John’s D.S.G. 6

Semi-Finals

St John’s D.S.G. 8 vs Grace College 4; Edendale Technical High School 14 vs Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 6

Pool A

1 St John’s D.S.G. 15pts; 2 Etham College 12pts; 3 Russel High School 7pts; 4 Treverton College 7pts; 5 Maritzburg Christian School 3pts; 6 St Nicholas Diocesan School 0pts

Pool B 

1 Grace College 13pts; 2 Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School 12pts; 3 St Anne’s Diocesan College 7pts; 4 Riverwood College 6pts; 5 Greytown High School 6pts; 6 Zamazulu Secondary School 0pts

Pool C

1 Edendale Technical High School 15pts; 2 Epworth School 10pts; 3 Wartburg Kirchdorf School 7pts; 4 Umvuzo High School 6pts; 5 Albini Girls’ High School 3pts; 6 The Wykeham Collegiate 3pts