DSG teams shine in Cape Town clashes

THE first hockey and netball teams of the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) underlined their ability in a successful visit to the Western Cape this weekend.

The teams from the private Grahamstown boarding school for girls had a heavy schedule of matches against Rustenburg, Springfield and Herschel.

The first matches were played against Rustenburg School for girls on Friday, with DSG emerging on top in two close encounters. They won the netball match 21-18 and the hockey game 1-0.

This good start was followed by matches against Springfield Convent in the evening. The DSG netball team dominated the match, running out 38-22 victors, but the hockey match was closer clash, with Springfield giving spirited competition.

However, DSG’s defence was rock solid and the girls were able to score the only goal of the match against the girls from Wynberg for a 1-0 win.

On Saturday, DSG first faced strong opposition from Cape Town’s Herschel girls.

The netball team had to fight to stay in touch with their well-drilled opponents in Claremont.

With just seven seconds remaining in the match, DSG captain Emma van Vuuren sank a crucial basket to secure a 28-28 draw.

In their hockey encounter, DSG came up against arguably the strongest schoolgirls team in the Western Cape – with seven U18A provincial players – and although the Grahamstown side battled gainfully, they went down 3-0.

Reflecting on the tour, DSG director of sport Chris Hibbert said: “It was a wonderful opportunity to take our first teams away to test them against opposition from outside the Eastern Cape.

“Both squads have worked hard this year and were looking forward to the challenge.

“We are immensely proud of their efforts, and for the netball girls to return to Grahamstown unbeaten from the tour is nothing short of brilliant, while the hockey team put in two wonderful performances to beat Rustenburg and Springfield.

“There was certainly no disappointment in going down to an outstanding Herschel team – and the inevitable few injuries and fatigue from playing three games at this level within 24 hours, perhaps took their toll on our girls.

“But this tour was a highlight on our sports calendar and one we hope to repeat next year.”