TWC grabs Spar Hockey Challenge title on home soil
After a penalty shootout, The Wykeham Collegiate (TWC) scored a nervy 2-1 win over St Anne’s Diocesan College in the final of the Pietermaritzburg North Regional Spar Hockey Challenge on Saturday.
TWC, the hosts, came into the weekend aiming to repeat as champions after they won the title in 2023, while St Anne’s were hunting their 10th North Regional title, having last won it in 2022.
The two powerhouse sides were joined by Grace College, Howick High, Linpark, Treverton, and Riverwood College.
They showed good form from their first matches, with TWC opening their account with a 4-0 win over Howick High.
St Anne’s didn’t make any mistakes in their opener. They breezed past Grace College, scoring three unanswered goals to get off the mark.
The duo continued their dominance throughout the round-robin games, with St Anne’s enjoying the upper hand, scoring 24 goals in their six matches, while keeping a clean sheet.
They also got one over the eventual winners during the round robin stages, edging TWC 1-0.
It was, however, a different story in the final. Despite the side from Hilton dominating possession, the hosts were solid defensively.
The visitors had an opportunity to open the scoring with three minutes played after receiving a penalty corner, but it was well defended by TWC’s goalkeeper, Zoe Harper, and her troops.
TWC also had its chances in the St Anne’s half, with Erynne Marais causing problems for the visitors with her speed in the middle of the pitch.
There was, however, nothing to separate the two sides at the conclusion of the 20-minute one-way match, and it was down to three penalties for each side.
TWC’s Emily Wilson was first up, and missed, much to the disappointment of the home crowd.
Then, St Anne’s Ella Shuttleworth gave her side the advantage by netting their first penalty. That, however, proved to be their first and last goal in the shootout.
TWC’s Mary Jellis and Erynne Marais both converted, while their shot-stopper, Zoe Harper, kept out the sisters, Jasmin and Jade Kelly, to secure a 2-1 victory.
The win means TWC have now claimed their third North Regional title, and that has also secured them a place in the Spar Hockey Challenge Grand Final which will take place in July at St Mary’s DSG, in Kloof.
Results
Wykeham Collegiate 4-0 Riverwood College
St Anne’s 3-0 Grace College
Howick High 3-0 Linpark
The Wykeham Collegiate 5-0 Treverton College
Grace College 1-0 Riverwood College
St Anne’s 9-0 Linpark
The Wykeham Collegiate 0-0 Howick High
Grace College 0-2 Linpark
St Anne’s 5-0 Treverton College
Howick High 1-0 Grace College
Riverwood College 0-0 Treverton College
St Anne’s 1-0 The Wykeham Collegiate
Howick High 1-0 Riverwood College
Linpark 0-4 Treverton College
The Wykeham Collegiate 4-0 Grace College
St Anne’s 4-0 Riverwood College
Treverton College 1-0 Howick High
The Wykeham Collegiate 8-0 Linpark
Treverton College 0-0 Grace College
Riverwood College 1-0 Linpark High
St Anne’s 2-0 Howick High
Final
The Wykeham Collegiate 0 (2)-0(1) St Anne’s Diocesan College
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