EHS crowned schoolgirl netball regional champs
IT was commitment and discipline that led to Empangeni High School (EHS) hoisting the SPAR KZN Schoolgirls' fast 5s netball challenge regional trophy.
This after the North Coast regional leg of the sporting event was held on Saturday on their home turf.
EHS met Mcabango High School in the final and, during the 16 minutes of play, managed to net 14 goals to the visitors’ 9.
Speaking after the final, EHS coach Magda du Plessis said, “[The day] went very well, but was really tough. We are extremely grateful for the wins.
"The team worked extremely hard; we put in a lot of effort, practising throughout the holidays. The girls had a fantastic team spirit throughout the day, and gelled perfectly.”
EHS captain Lukhona Ndlovana commended her team’s efforts and fighting spirit throughout each game.
“The tournament was great overall. It was a bit challenging playing different schools with different techniques, but we adjusted each game well and pulled through. We are absolutely delighted with our win,” said Ndlovana.
While four players had a magnificent time on either pole end, it was the EHS captain who had the magic touch, scoring nine goals, with Sinqobile Mthethwa scoring five.
Andiswa Langa scored seven of Mcabango High’s nine goals, while Elena Mthembu scored the remaining two.
Half-time saw the game leaning towards the eventual winners, with a 7-5 score line to EHS.
Pool games and semis
Khombindlela High School finished top of Pool A on 15 points. From their five pool games, their goal tally was 63, allowing only 29 goals in on the other side.
They were followed by EHS in second place on 12 points. Their tally of goals was an impressive 67 in five games, with their opponents managing only 29 against them.
Pool B's two top teams, Eshowe and Mcabango, drew on 13 points each, and tied their game against each other with 8 goals each.
Mcabango High School took first place, clocking up 53 goals to Eshowe’s 51 throughout the day.
Mcabango let in 40 goals while Eshowe let in 30.
Competition among the top four teams was riveting, with no clearcut winner in the two semi-finals.
Both EHS and Mcabango High made it through the semis narrowly, by only one goal.
One semi saw EHS take on Eshowe High School, the game finishing 9-8 to the hosts.
In the second semi, Mcabango beat Khombindlela High School 13-12.
The next challenge heads to Durban North College where teams will meet for the Durban North Regional on Saturday, 13 August.