PMB combined - Representing Pietermaritzburg at the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge, St John’s D.S.G. and The Wykeham Collegiate both made their third appearances.
St John’s were drawn in Pool A alongside Durban Girls’ College, Our Lady of Fatima, Grantleigh School and Amanzimtoti while The Wykeham Collegiate came up against host school, St Mary’s D.S.G., Ferrum High School, St Patrick’s College and Ladysmith High School. Both teams notched up three wins, with St John’s D.S.G. finishing their day in a hard-fought nil nil draw against the defending champions, Durban Girls College. The Wykeham Collegiate also earned three victories, but went down to eventual winners, St Mary’s D.S.G. in their four pool games.
Finishing second in their respective pools, they advanced to the semi-finals, where they met each other in a Pietermaritzburg derby. Rebecca Pringle knocked in the all-important goal for St John’s in the final minute, giving them the golden ticket to advance to the gold silver medal game.
Top goal scorer for St John’s, Captain Rebecca Macquet put away three goals out of the 11 goals scored in total by her team in their six games. Enthusing after the final, Macquet said, ‘We are so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play in the SPAR grand finals! I am so proud of the heart and determination that our team showed throughout the tournament. My best moment was being able to play in the final as it was my last match for St. John’s.’
St John’s met host school St Mary’s in the concluding game of the challenge, where they took a well-deserved second place, their best result in their three runs at the Grand Finals.
Wykeham, playing for third place for the third time, took the lead after five and a half minutes when Emily Wilson scored against defending champions Durban Girls’ College. They remainder of the playoff, Wykeham maintained their lead not allowing College any chances. Wilson, who was top goal scorer, netting four out of the 11 goals scored in total for TWC. The Wykeham Collegiate, like St John’s finished with their best result, finishing third on the podium.
Four of the Wykeham players reside in Hilton, captain Erasmus, vice-captain, Pippa Aylward, Vida Boshoff and Grace Wardlaw.
Captain for Wykeham, Amy Erasmus from Hilton shared, ‘Our team really enjoyed the weekend. We had a good tournament with lots of highs and many learning curves. My favourite part was just playing the sport I love with my team. Even though the results did not always go our way, we had loads of fun; learnt a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the weekend.’
1 St Mary’s D.S.G.; 2 St John’s D.S.G.; 3 The Wykeham Collegiate; 4 Durban Girls’ College; 5 Our Lady of Fatima; 6 Ferrum High School; 7 St Patrick’s College; 8 Grantleigh School; 9 Amanzimtoti High School; 10 Ladysmith High School
Third Appearance
The Wykeham Collegiate – Pietermaritzburg North Regional Winner – Third (2024); Fourth (2012, 2023)
St John’s D.S.G. – Pietermaritzburg Central Regional Winner – Silver (2024); Bronze (2022); Fourth (2017)
Pictured here: Defending bravely during the second semi-final, Pippa Aylward, and Grace Wardlaw from The Wykeham Collegiate prepare to block Grace Hoatson's shot from St John's D.S.G. At the Grand Finals of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Hockey Challenge that took place on Sunday at St Mary's D.S.G..
Photo credit: Rogan Ward
Supplied.