St George’s College hockey girls are runners up in National Finals

9th March 2007

St George’s College girls’ Under 16s hockey team were crowned runners up in the U16 national school finals this week.

The St George’s team, which was representing the South of England, won three of its four games in the round robin tournament beating Scarborough College (North) 3-0, King’s School (East) 1-0, Canford School (West) 2-1.

The first seven minutes of the match saw St George’s play their best hockey of the day and the girls were unfortunate not to get a goal. However, after half time, Ecclesbourne put on the pressure which finally paid off with a goal from a short corner. Goal difference then dictated that Ecclesbourne needed to draw to retain their title, whilst St George’s needed to win the match to win the tournament.

With just two minutes left, the St George’s Goalkeeper was taken off due to injury and the team replaced her with an extra forward. It was all or nothing at this stage and St George’s needed to score two goals in two minutes! The gamble didn’t pay off and unfortunately they lost the game 2-0. Aimee Byrne, St George’s College girls’ hockey coach commented; “It was an emotional end to the day but the girls finished runners up and 2nd best in the country at U16 level - an outstanding achievement.

“Pippa McCormick and Olivia Marke controlled the defence all day and Charlotte Dunne, who was playing in a tournament for girls three years older than her, had an amazing day in goal pulling off some unbelievable saves. Sophie Kirkwood Jones and Josie Inverdale linked up really well in midfield and got better as the day went on whilst there was excellent work by Katie Thomas on the right wing.

“The whole squad is to be commended on their work rate and efforts to get this far and are a great bunch of girls who should be proud of what they have achieved!”