LOCAL crowds were thrilled at the result of the final of the Greenfields Elite Club Challenge, which saw Durban North hosts and favourites, Riverside Hockey Club, win the ladies division in an exceptional performance against the Wanderers team.

This is the first year that the Greenfields Elite Club Challenge has introduced the women’s division to the event and in this inaugural year Riverside Hockey Club had to battle it out at Durban North’s Riverside Sports venue against other local rivals – Kearsney Hockey Club – and Johannesburg visitors, Wanderers Hockey Club.

In the men’s division, it was the Johannesburg Wanderers Jockeys that came out on top against a strong Riverside Hockey Club men’s team in the final with the score being 4-3 to the Gauteng team. The Wanderers Jockeys went home with the trophy and the largest prize money awarded in SA hockey history; R26 000.

Wayne Phillips, chairman of RHC said the club was delighted wit the results.

“We are so proud and delighted with this weekend’s event and the effort that the players put in on the field. I cannot thank everyone enough that was involved in putting together such a professional and prestigious event. Well done to all the teams, umpires and especially the winners, our very own ladies’ team and the Wanderer’s men’s team.

“We were also delighted with the participation by the SA women’s team who formed part of our Elite Junior Coaching clinic held during the tournament. The interaction of youngsters with their hockey heroes and the overall camaraderie witnessed during the tournament was the epitome of pure hockey enjoyment,” he said.