Grantleigh’s golden girls
AFTER a nail-biting finale to the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' Hockey Challenge on Saturday, it was the Grantleigh girls who lifted the trophy.
Going head-to-head for the fifth consecutive year, the match between Grantleigh and Felixton College was a closely-fought game that went to a penalty shoot-out.
The tournament was played at the AstroTurf at Grantleigh, and games were reduced to 15 minutes owing to heavy rains that threatened to postpone the event.
Fortunately for the seven teams that participated, rain did not stop play, and the weather cleared up.
With the score locked in at 1-1 with nine minutes remaining on the clock, both teams persevered in their quest for the winning goal but as the final whistle blew, the score remained level.
A penalty shoot-out was called and three players from each team had the chance against the opposition keeper.
Kelly Braithwaite claimed victory for Grantleigh when she entered the circle and veered right, knocking in a rocket that was just out of reach of Felixton’s keeper, Sena Mhlaba.
Speaking after the game, Grantleigh Captain Kyle Hassard said, ’We had a very good tournament and played well throughout the day,' she said.
'Our structure was good, and everything we have been working on we were able to achieve, and we proved what we are capable of.
'Felixton is our main rival in this area and they made us work hard for this win. I am extremely proud of our shoot-out and how well Zime and Kelly did in the sudden death.’ Grantleigh's Sisanda Juqu was awarded Umpire of the Day. Grantleigh has earned the final ticket to the grand finals where they will meet nine other KZN regional winners at St Mary’s DSG in Kloof on 23 and 24 July.