Ferrum defends SPAR Hockey Challenge title

Northern KZN RegionalsFerrum High School: Saturday, May 23Ferrum has done it again, successfully defending their title. The host school walked away with their 11th title in the Northern KZN Regional at the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls’ Hockey Challenge on Saturday. In a fiercely fought regional final, the home team, Ferrum High School, took on arch-rival Hoërskool Pionier from Vryheid.

At the blast of the final whistle, the scoreline was all tied up on 1-all. The fast-flowing game pinballed between the two goals, Ferrum created the opening attack, earning their first set-piece with only 33 seconds on the clock. Immediately, they were awarded their second short corner after another infringement in the circle by a Pionier defender.

Standing firm, Pionier successfully halted the attack and responded by rocketing the ball up to a quick-thinking forward, who fired off the first shot that was miraculously saved by an outstretched foot of keeper, Lané le Roux. Ferrum continued building pressure earning another two more short corners but were unable to find holes in a tight Pionier backline. Nearing 13 minutes of play, a break down the left by Pionier’s Charissa Volschek, beating the last defender before she neatly slotted in her shot for the opening goal.

[paywall]

The tempo around the park stepped up a level as the players on the field were visibly energised, with both teams fired up by the goal, and the supporters rallying behind their teams. Three minutes later, Ferrum were back on the hunt in the Pionier circle. In a tense moment in the mouth of the goals, a penalty stroke was awarded for a lifted ball. A focused Sphe Ninela calmly dragged her flick left, just beyond an outstretched, diving Mishke de Bruyn, levelling the score.

[/paywall]