Ferrum has done it again, successfully defending their title, the host school walked away with their eleventh title in the Northern KZN Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday 23 May.
In a fiercely fought regional final, the home team, Ferrum High School took on arch-rival Hoërskool Pionier from Vryheid. At the blast of the final whistle, the scoreline was all tied up on 1 all.
The fast-flowing game pinballed between the two goals, Ferrum created the opening attack, earning their first set piece with only 33 seconds on the clock. Immediately, they were awarded their second short corner after another infringement in the circle by a Pionier defender. Standing firm, Pionier successfully halted the attack and responded by rocketing the ball up to a quick thinking forward who fired off the first shot that was miraculously saved by an outstretched foot of keeper, Lané le Roux.
Deflection. An important save, Ferrum High School’s Lané le Roux desperately saves an early Hoerskool Pionier attempt in the opening minutes of the final of the Northern KZN Regional of the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge that took place at Ferrum High School on Saturday 23 May. Pic by Rogan Ward.
Ferrum continued building pressure earning another two more short corners but were unable to find holes in a tight Pionier backline. Nearing 13 minutes of play, a break down the left by Pionier’s Charissa Volschek, beating the last defender before she neatly slotted in her shot for the opening goal. The tempo around the park stepped up a level as the players on the field were visibly energised, with both teams fired up by the goal, and the supporters rallying behind their teams.
Three minutes later, Ferrum were back on the hunt in the Pionier circle. In a tense moment in the mouth of the goals, a penalty stroke was awarded for a lifted ball. A focused Sphe Ninela, calmly dragged her flick left, just beyond an outstretched, diving Mishke de Bruyn, levelling the score.
Moving to a penalty shootout, Pionier set off first with goalscorer Charissa Volschek adding to her teams’ tally. Ferrum’s Lariska Nell knocked in her attempt with Pionier’s Anje Erasmus and Ferrum’s Ava Strydom both securing goals in the second round. With the pressure mounting, Sarah Kgonono fired in her shot as she pierced the circle finding the right post. The ball ricocheted out of reach resulting in a dash for Pionier. Ferrum’s Ninela confidently strode goalwards, veering right and knocking in her attempt under de Bruyn, securing victory for the defending champs.
It wasn’t an easy ride for the defending champs who had to overcome two penalty shootouts on their way to victory. In their first semi-final they met Vryheid High School who made it to the finals in 2024. The final score was nil nil at full time. Nell and Ninela both knocked in their attempts while le Roux kept a clean sheet in their penalty shootout. In the second semi, Pionier met Newcastle High School who finished second last year. In the early parts Newcastle dominated by Pionier skilfully slotted in two goals, giving them the ticket to advance to the regional final.
The two finalists were drawn in the same pool and in their earlier clash, drew nil nil after a fierce 20 minutes of play. Ferrum topped their pool winning their remaining games while Pionier drew two of their fixtures, their second against Amajuba High School who held strong against the two times winner.
Post CoViD, Ferrum have featured in every single final, with three of their games being decided through penalty shootouts, their second shootout against Pionier who were successful in 2022. Since Pionier’s victory five tournaments ago, Ferrum have reclaimed their domination in this area with five wins.
In the build up to the semi-finals, Mercy Chituku from Vryheid High School walked away with a gorgeous Princess Stick as she won the fun lucky draw. Umpire of the Day went to neutral representative, Eric Blandin de Chaplin who was complimented for his consistent skills throughout the day, including the final.
Only one more regional remains in the ten challenges ahead of the Grand Finals in July. Ferrum is the ninth team to have earned a spot at the main concluding event, they will meet Our Lady of Fatima, (Durban North Regional); Amanzimtoti High School (Durban South Regional); St John’s D.S.G. (Pietermaritzburg Central Regional); St Anne’s Diocesan College (Pietermaritzburg North Regional) and St Mary’s D.S.G. (Highway Regional); Durban Girls’ College (Durban Central Regional); Grantleigh School (North Coast Regional) and St Patrick’s College (Ugu and Sisonke Regional).
This weekend Wembley College will host schools from Greytown, Ladysmith, Wartburg and surrounds for the uMvoti and oThukela Regional on Saturday 30 May.
Results
Final
Ferrum High School 1 (3) vs Hoërskool Pionier 1 (2)
Semi-Finals
Ferrum High School 0 (2) vs Vryheid High School 0 (0)
Newcastle High School 0 vs Hoërskool Pionier 2
Pool A
1 Ferrum High School 9pts; 2 Hoërskool Pionier 6pts; 3 Amajuba High School 2pts; 4 Sarel Cilliers High School 1pt
Pool B
1 Newcastle High School 15pts; 2 Vryheid High School 9pts; 3 Dundee High School 5pts; 4 St Dominic’s Newcastle 5pts; 5 Utrecht High School