SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge Southern KZN Regional - Kokstad College - Saturday 22 August

Continuing their total domination in the region, Shayamoya Area Secondary School maintained their 100% record in the Southern KZN Regional on Saturday 22 August, the only team to have this honour in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5’s Netball Challenge.

Hosted by Kokstad College, eight teams played their hearts out in the hopes of dislodging the defending champions, but Shayamoya proved to be a tour de force, claiming their fifth title on the trot since this regional began in 2022.

Opening and final clashes with Mthatha High School

Meeting travelling team, Mthatha High School in the bookend games of the tournament, Shayamoya took on the Eastern Cape team in the opening fixture of the day with the scoreline going in favour of the champs, 12 – 6. In the concluding game, the two teams clashed again in a fast-paced, exceptional final. After a fabulous intercept once Mthatha got play under way, it took Shayamoya 25 seconds to bother the scorers with captain, Kwanele Lamani netting her first point of the final. 20 seconds later, Lamani was back under the ring, slotting in her second point.

Going into halftime, Shayamoya led by 8 to 3. In similar fashion, Mthatha got the second half started, but the quick-on-their-feet midfielders quickly snaffled the ball, sending it up to Sphesethu Mantambo, who got the points rolling for Shayamoya in the second half.

The petite centre for Mthatha, Unako Madolo with pitbull intentions kept persisting, feeding the ball up to her shooters. The visitors had a tough time in the Shayamoya circle, being closed down often by the spritely defender, Phumela Ramkoro. Mthatha’s attackers Eneya Jokozela and Buhle Noto were lucky enough to have several attempts but unfortunately had to contend with the hard-working Ramkoro or when they managed to bypass her, had the gusty conditions causing their aerial pursuits to go off target.

At the final whistle, Shayamoya were victorious with the scoreline settled on 17 – 8. Mthatha who were making their third appearance in the challenge, had to settle for their second silver in consecutive years. Their first appearance in 2024, they finished fourth overall.

Round robin standings and semi-finals

In the build up to the finals, Shayamoya topped the log after their seven round robin games. Second was Mthatha with five wins, a draw in their last round robin game against Kokstad College – finishing 5 all, and a loss in their opening fixture. Third in the round robin was St Thomas Residential School who won five games and lost to Shayamoya and Mthatha. Rounding off the semi-finalists, King Edward High School from Matatiele claimed victory in four of their games, going down to Shayamoya, Mthatha and St Thomas.

In the first semi, first placed Shayamoya meet fourth placed, King Edward. In a clinical performance, Shayamoya dominated with a win of 18-2, and stamping their ticket to the final. In the second final, Mthatha went up against St Thomas. In a far more determined game, St Thomas tried their hardest to earn their first regional final appearance but were just not up to it as Mthatha managed to hold off their threats in the circle, the final score a respectable defeat of 9-6.

Upcoming Durban Central Regional challenge

Durban Girls’ College will host the fourth challenge this weekend, (Saturday 29 August) with teams from around the Durban Central Regional meeting for a ‘play-full’ day of netball.

For more info follow the challenge on various social media platforms

Results

Regional Final

Shayamoya Area Secondary School 17 vs Mthatha High School 8

Semi-final

Shayamoya Area Secondary School 18 vs King Edward High School 2

Mthatha High School 9 vs St Thomas Residential School 6

Round Robin

1 Shayamoya Area Secondary School 21pts; 2 Mthatha High School 16pts; 3 St Thomas Residential School 15pts; 4 King Edward High School 12pts; 5 Kokstad College 10pts; 6 St Monica’s Diocesan School 6pts; 7 Bergview High School 3pts; 8 Mt Currie S.S.S. 0pts