The atmosphere was electric at the SPAR KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge at Durban Girls’ College on Sunday (March 9). A new chapter was etched in the history of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge when Maris Stella School hoisted the Durban Central Regional trophy for the first time.

Maris Stella toppled the reigning champions, Durban Girls’ College, in a riveting regional final. Durban College is the only name to appear on the trophy and was the only team with a 100% record at the Grand Finals since the tournament’s inception in 2011, said Ms Sophie Thompson from Publicity Matters.

She added that the contenders stepped up a few gears in the final, completely surprising the young Durban College team. The visitors pierced the College circle,e showing their intentions with less than a minute on the clock. College retaliated 80 seconds later with their first attack. They followed up with a ripper of a shot that soared over the crossbar fifty seconds later.

“Maris Stella stood firm, unwavering under the various College surges. College crafted three fantastic short corners, but keeper for Maris Stella, Owethu Kunene, commanded her troops superbly, not allowing the ball into the danger zone. During the 25-minute final, play rolled end to end with Maris Stella not allowing College their usual flair of aerial dominance and quick-fire passes,” said Ms Thompson.

At the final whistle, the score was locked in a goalless draw. The regional decider moved to the spot with three players from each side having a chance to net victory. Stella was first to go with Rachel McDonald, charging into the field and drifting right,t drawing Gemma Ropertz out of the College goal before tapping the ball beyond the looming keeper. College’s first chance by Mikeal Russell was snubbed out by a fearless Kunene who went diving into the advances, charging down Russell’s three valiant attempts. Feisty Zezethu Kunene for Maris Stella rolled in, veering right and didn’t waste any time slotting in her shot beyond Ropertz, who was bravely manoeuvring to block the attempt.

“A determined Asanele Zuma charged forward for College, striding towards the keeper but on the ball umpire. Sonika Buys blasted the whistle for a retake as Stella snuffed the ball, jamming up the College attack. In her take two, Zuma easily drove the ball around a diving Kunene before neatly slotting in College’s first goal. Last up for Stella, Emily Simpkins charged in, to the College circle, dragging the ball right and slotting it beyond Ropertz gallant swat, netting the third goal for the visitors, to College’s single goal. She dethroned the remarkable run of Durban Girls’ College,” said Ms Thompson.

Maris Stella School is the second team to earn a place at the Grand Finals that will take place at St Mary’s D.S.G. in July. The newcomers will meet nine other teams representing schools from around KZN at the conclusion of the challenge. St Mary’s D.S.G. were the first team to secure a spot. Next weekend, the challenge heads inland to St John’s for the Pietermaritzburg Central Regional on Saturday, March 15, and then to Treverton College for the Pietermaritzburg North Regional on Sunday, March 16.

“Earning the award of Umpire of the Day, Thando Dangazele was acknowledged for her hard work with the whistle throughout the day. Winner of the Princess lucky draw prize was Jess McCalgan from Durban Girls’ High School,” said Ms Thompson.

All games in the remaining tournaments are live-streamed on the SuperSport Schools app.