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CHISIPITE broke through a rock-solid Peterhouse Girls defence in the dying minutes of extra-time to win the 2013 Golden Girls inter-schools hockey tournament at Arundel over the weekend. While clearly the stronger side, Chisipite battled to turn their advantage into goals. With the score tied at 0-0 at the end of normal time and again after the first half of extra time, it looked as though the final would be decided on penalties.
But Chisipite had other ideas and, in the final minute of extra-time, finally scored the game’s priceless goal.
The Golden and Silver Girls Hockey Tournament is organised by the Zimbabwe Schoolgirls Hockey Association and is always played at Arundel where the adequate hostels and four hockey fields, including the only artificial turf field at a Zimbabwean school, provide an ideal setting.
This year was the 33rd tournament for the City of Harare trophy, presented this year by outgoing mayor Muchadeyi Masunda.
The tournament is the culmination on the second term senior girls hockey league and is divided into two groups — gold and silver, based on performance.
This year 12 schools took part in the Golden Girls and 10 in the Silver Girls, although three silver teams were second teams of golden schools.
The association has gradually been cutting back on second teams as more schools play hockey at a level high enough to enter the tournament and hopes that eventually only first teams will compete.
Of the 19 schools that took part, three came from Bulawayo, one from Masvingo, one from Gweru, one from Chinhoyi, one from Mutare, one from Mount Hampden and two from Marondera. The other nine all came from Harare. In the Golden Girls playoff for third and fourth places Girls College of Bulawayo beat hosts Arundel.
Eaglesvale came out winners of the Silver tournament, beating Chisipite’s second string 2-1 and preventing the eastern Harare school from scoring the double and taking both pieces of silverware home with them.
The third and fourth Silver playoff saw Watershed of Marondera beat Heritage of Harare 1-0.
Meanwhile, the just ended WaterMark ball games competition left the small town of Rusape ablaze as 12 schools from Manicaland and Mashonaland graced the event.
There was fun, entertainment and high sporting feeling in the small town of Rusape leaving multitudes of both villagers and passers-by who leapt to catch a glimpse of the competition.
It was the visiting Cornway soccer boys team that took the game to the finals and emerged the winners walking away with the gong.
In another netball and volleyball thriller, the host and big sponsors, WaterMark School, proved their mettle as a strong contender as they won a brace.
They played very well and set the trend for the Manicaland side.
WaterMark Private School director Barnabas Nemaire said he was elated to successfully host a big and competitive event.
We had a good run in the tournament which happens to be our debut ball games event in Makoni district. Really it was an eye-opening competition which we think will help all our students who participated.
Sporting is a bit low in the rural areas, but this event became historic in the Makoni District, said Nemaire.
Schools which took part include Cornway School, Herentals College, Mutare Boys’ High, St Stephen’s, Chemhanza, St Faith’s, St Joseph’s, Trust Academy and Vengere High schools.
The event was also graced by District Education Officer for Makoni Mr Jiji Arkim, who was the guest of honour.
Mr Arkim hailed the organisers of the event and said the ministry was going to introduce several other sporting disciplines in the rural areas that are not very popular such as basketball, cricket and tennis.
The prizes were unveiled by the sponsors who distributed balls, soccer, and volleyball and netball kits among others.
The WaterMark ball games will be an annual event and was said will change the sporting world in the district.
Online Reporter