HILLCREST High School claimed their third regional win when they were crowned champions at the Highway Regional in the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Fast 5s Netball Challenge at Curro Hillcrest on Saturday, September 27.

In the regional final Hillcrest played against Luthayi High School for the second year running.

The Upper Highway School were the first ever team to win a regional title in the SPAR Fast 5s Challenge in 2019, with Luthayi High School claiming the title in 2022. With podium finishes in all of their appearances at the SPAR Challenge, Luthayi have finished second for the last three years.

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In the lead-up to the final, Hillcrest topped Pool A, winning all their games, with Kloof High School settled in second place. Luthayi dominated Pool B, while Westville Girls’ High School nudged host school Curro Hillcrest out for their first semi-final appearance.

Hillcrest High School met Westville Girls’ High School in the first semi-final. Sticking to the gameplan, Hillcrest fired the ball up to their soaring shooters, who both contributed handsomely to the total 80 goals scored in their five games, registering another 18 points in the semi, while Westville eked out nine points. In the second semi, Kloof made Luthayi work for their victory.

Finding themselves three points down midway, they raised their tempo in the second half. Luthayi were 6-3 at half-time, but Kloof levelled each move in the second half, with both teams netting six points in the second half.

Luthayi’s advantage in the first half gave them three points’ grace to advance to the final.

The final regional will take place at Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School for the Midlands Regional on Saturday, October 18.

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