Ashton International College Ballito made a triumphant return to the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge Grand Finals, held last weekend at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof.

Over July 26 and 27, Ashton’s girls’ first team delivered their best-ever performance in the tournament’s 15-year history, after a nine-year absence from the elite hockey festival. Despite a 3-0 semi-final defeat to tournament winners St Mary’s, the Ballito school regrouped to finish third.

“This tournament tested us, pushed us and reminded us why we play this game,” said captain Morgan Nel.

“Every moment, from the bruises to the breakthroughs, showed us how far we have come.”

In the third-place playoff, Ashton beat Epworth School 1-0 in a closely fought contest. Emmerson van Zijl settled the game with a powerful strike from a short corner to give her team a lead they would not relinquish.

This year’s result surpasses Ashton’s previous Grand Finals finishes of seventh in 2015 and 2016, and ninth in 2013.

Head of Girls’ Sport at Ashton and first team coach, Erdine Coetzee, believes that exposing the girls to top-tier competitions like the Belgotex Sport Easter Hockey Tournament has paid off.

“It is a fantastic result that reflects their hard work, determination and growth. I am so proud of how far they have come, both individually and as a team,” she said.

In the pool stages, Ashton faced some of the best schools from the province’s 10 regions, including St Anne’s Diocesan College, Maris Stella, Felixton College and Wartburg Kirchdorf School.

Ashton advanced to the semi-finals on goals scored, after wins against Felixton and Wartburg and draws versus St Anne’s and Maris Stella.

Coach Nic White said they wanted to turn heads at the tournament.

“I think we definitely did that. Throughout the season, we have been consistent.

“This group of girls has put in so much time into their hockey and really deserve all of this.”

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