Spar School Girls’ Hockey Challenge – Pionier rises to the occasion

SAREL Cilliers, the underdogs of the tournament, dazzled all of their opposition and proceeded to win the Northern KZN Regional of the SPAR KZN School Girls’ Hockey Challenge hosted by St Dominic’s Academy.

In the finals and during the entire game, Sarel Cilliers defended their goals after endless attacks from Hoërskool Pionier. The Pionier frontline surged again and again toward their opponent’s goal. Frustratingly seventy percent of the Pionier attempts shaved past the left hand upright, and the remaining shots on target met the formidable goalie, Naledi Ndala.

At the final whistle, the scoreline was level, with the tournament being decided by penalties. Sarel Cilliers followed the almost identical pattern as the previous shoot-out. They found the back of the net first and managed two more goals, while Pionier only succeeded in slotting one in. The game concluded with Sarel Cilliers brilliantly scoring three to Pioniers single goal and thus becoming the new Northern KZN Regional Champions.

The Glencoe based school quietly and determinedly worked their way through the pool games, ending their efforts with two wins, one draw and a 2-0 loss to Hoërskool Pionier, who they eventually met in the final.

One of the hardest working individuals at the tournament was coach for Pionier, Susan Currie. Juggling both umpiring and coaching duties, she also found time to document the day armed with a camera. After the prizegiving, the effervescent coach stated, “I am very impressed with how my girls played. They all rose to the occasion and wore their hearts on their sleeves. Each and every one of them is amazing!”

“This is our best result in the history of the SPAR tournaments and obviously we are all disappointed with how it ended for us.”

In the first semi-final, Sarel Cilliers met Dundee High School in a hard fought battle where the score ended nil nil at full time. The next semi-final was the clash of the two favourites, Pionier and the defending champions Ferrum High School. Ferrum ended second in the pool games, behind Dundee while Pionier topped their pool with a six point breather ahead of Sarel Cilliers.

Local team, Ferrum were the first team to score appearing to have arrived at the semi-final with the bigger BMT but the impressive team from Vryheid dug in deep, equalling the score early in the second half. The tense game looked as if it was also heading towards a penalty shoot-out but as the siren signalled the end of the game, both umpires simultaneously awarded a short-corner to Pionier. As the clock rolled into extra time, Pionier constructed a game winning corner, toppling the defending champions out of the tournament.

Tournament Director, Les Galloway commented after the finals, “We have had a truly phenomenal day with each team having lots of ‘gees.’ The spirit both on and off the pitch was absolutely wonderful and the hockey was of a high standard – this is what it is all about.”

MD for SPAR KZN Rob Philipson said, “I have only heard glowing compliments about our Northern KZN Regional this year. The venue was superb and all the girls loved being on the brand new astro turf. The weather cleared up nicely and we are delighted to have a brand new team that will be joining us at the Grand Finals. So welcome, Sarel Cilliers!”

The next regionals take place in Pietermaritzburg and Durban over the weekend of March 12 and 13, where three more finalists will be decided.