Hoërskool Garsfontein kicked off their Challengers’ Cup campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over Durban Girls’ College in Paarl, at La Rochelle Girls’ High, on Friday night.
The Pretoria side, contesting Pool B, was one of the big winners on the opening day, putting themselves in a healthy position ahead of a jam-packed day two.
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Garsfontein, after finishing third in last year’s tournament, will be aiming to go one step further this year by reaching the final, and the winning start was a big boost for coach Essex Mbekeni’s charges.
They were far from their best against DGC, but two quick goals in the opening chukka laid the foundation for a hard-fought victory.
Jemike Engelbrecht opened the scoring in the third minute of the first chukka from a penalty corner. Jana Seebach doubled their lead soon after, while DGC pulled one back in the second chukka through Olivia Lawson.
Garsfontein next faces Durbanville, while DGC takes on Parel Vallei High.
St Anne’s DSG made a strong start to their campaign with a commanding 5-0 win over DF Akademie. Coach Reggie Keates’ side took some time to get into the game, but once they clicked, they ran away with it.
Belle Hofmeyr and Zintle James gave the girls from KwaZulu-Natal a 2-0 lead at the break, and they returned to score three goals in the second half through Georgina Davies, Nicola Thomas, and a second from Hofmeyr.
The Western Cape’s Fairmont High, Stellenberg, HMS Bloemhof, and Paarl Girls’ High were all victorious.
Fairmont edged out their provincial rivals, Rustenburg Girls’ High, 2-1, thanks to goals from Gabriella Grasso and Carin Bryne, while Amy Penney scored for Rustenburg.
Stellenberg handed the defending champion, Affies, a 1-0 loss, courtesy of a Jennah Jansen strike.
HMS Bloemhof, meanwhile, produced a valiant performance to win a five-goal thriller against Durbanville by the odd-goal, triumphing 3-2, while a Leah Goebel goal saw Paarl Girls’ High to a 1-0 win over Parel Vallei.
Pool A matches are being played at La Rochelle, while Paarl Girls’ High hosts the Pool B games. On Saturday morning, the action starts at 08:30, St Anne’s facing Rustenburg Girls’ High at La Rochelle, and Paarl Girls’ High hosting HMS Bloemhof on their home turf.
DAY 1 – Results
St Anne’s 5-0 DF Akademie
Bloemhof 3-2 Durbanville
Fairmont 2-1 Rustenburg Girls’ High
Paarl Girls’ High 1-0 Parel Vallei
Stellenberg 1-0 Affies
Garsfontein 2-1 Durban Girls’ College
Day 2 – Fixtures
Pool A @ La Rochelle
08:30 – St Anne’s DSG vs Rustenburg Girls’ High
09:30 – DF Akademie vs Affies
10:30 – Fairmont High vs Stellenberg
12:00 – St Anne’s DSG vs Affies
13:00 – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs Stellenberg
14:00 – DF Akademie vs Fairmont High
16:00 – St Anne’s DSG vs Stellenberg
17:00 – Affies vs Fairmont High
18:00 – Rustenburg Girls’ High vs DF Akademie
Pool B @ Paarl Girls High
08:30 – Bloemhof vs Paarl Girls’ High
09:30 – Durbanville vs Garsfontein
10:30 – Parel Vallei vs Durban Girls’ College
12:00 – Bloemhof vs Garsfontein
13:00 – Paarl Girls’ High vs Durban Girls’ College
14:00 – Durbanville vs Parel Vallei
16:00 – Bloemhof vs Durban Girls’ College
17:00 – Garsfontein vs Parel Vallei
18:00 – Paarl Girls’ High vs Durbanville
