GIRLS’ SPORTS REPORTS 09/11/15

HOCKEY

U14 North West Semis:  
V Kirkham lost 2-1
V Greenbank won 2-0
V Queens Chester lost 1-0

This potentially could be the biggest lesson this set of players learn if they take note after failing to qualify for the North Finals. 

A lack of awareness, slow reaction at the breakdown and inaccuracy of the pass are the areas to work on if this team is going to compete with the more organised and skilful teams at higher level competitions. 

Leading 1-0 in the Kirkham game going into the last two minutes Sedbergh should have sealed the match when awarded a penalty flick. Unfortunately, it was not converted and some very naive defending then conceded two goals in the last two minutes.

The second match saw the girls play with more composure and win comfortably against a Greenbank side that had already beaten Kirkham. And so Sedbergh qualified to play an underperforming Queens Chester side that made Nationals at 13s last year.

Queens then proceeded to play theirs and the day’s best hockey as they showed the Sedbergh girls how to play as a team. Sedbergh’s awareness and reactions at the breakdown cost them as Queens constantly got on the front foot and despite some desperate defending for 25 minutes, eventually Queens scored.

Hopefully, this set of girls will see this as a positive learning experience and train hard to develop those areas that are lacking in their game to date.  MPS

U18 NORTH WEST SEMIS

With Wilmslow, Kirkham, Merchant Taylors and Stockport all playing a round robin to qualify for the North finals it was going to be very tough to get through.  

The favourites of the day Wilmslow were up first, with a change of set up and tactics the girls executed the game play excellently thwarting attack after attack.

Ella Telford was superb in keeping their England midfield quiet and the girls looked to attack on the counter. Chances fell to both sides but the score remained 0-0. A brilliant start to the tournament. 

Merchant Taylors were next, back to our original formation the girls executed set plays brilliantly and won 2-0 with goals from Emilia Tyser and Eliza Hodgson. 2-0 win

Without a break we were on again, Kirkham took advantage of a rare mistake and led 1-0. As Eliza Hodgson has done on numerous occasions this year she was free at the back post to convert a well-constructed move. With tired legs in both sides the game came to a close with little else happening. 1-1 draw

Nationals Champions Stockport were our last game and it didn’t disappoint, plenty of exchanges in the opening 15 but the scores remained tied before a moment of brilliant from Stockport’s CF beat 3 and shelled her shot bottom right. With legs all but gone the girls battled on but conceded 2 more goals late in the second half to eventually lose 3-0.  

Plenty for the girls to be proud about and those coming in to the squad stepped up exceptionally well. Special mentions must go to Imogen Boddy, Katherine Fleck, Ella Telford and Mollie Richmond all producing great performances throughout the day. MWS

1st XI v Pocklington NHL – Lost 1-0
After dominating all 50 minutes of the game the 1st XI came off the pitch losing 1-0 to Pocklington. 42 circle penetrations and 6 short corners should have been more than enough to score 5,6 or even 7 goals, however the ball never made it past the goalie.

Katherine Fleck and Nicoline Hoppen were brilliant and honest in everything they did. A tough one to deal with but certainly not a game to reflect on. 1-0 loss.  MWS

2nd XI v Durham  Won 3-0
The 2nd XI bounced back from last week’s disappointing draw displaying a fluidity reminiscent of this week’s River Rawthey. Holding their structure throughout the girls seamlessly bypassed a porous defence and if it wasn’t for the Durham keeper, who was certainly no novice, the result would have been a deluge of goals and Noah and his Ark might have been called upon!

Anna Walkden opened the scoring with a short corner thunderbolt, Emily MacMillan rounded off a sweeping open play with a back post tap in and Fern Nuttall reacted quickest at a short corner to slot home off the keepers pads.  Candice Dobson and Sarah Long shone in what was a great team performance.  MPS

U14 XI v Durham  Won 7-2
After conceding an early goal the 14s found their form to record a convincing victory against a reasonable Durham team. Once the girls held their structure and made good decisions on pass or drive, the result was never doubt after Ellie Heathcote pulled Sedbergh level.

The Pink Panther Emily Dignan stole in to gain a hat trick as she constantly asked questions in the manner of Inspector Clouseau. Lotte Burns and Ellie Heathcote pounced to deflect from close in whilst Holly Dale’s sweep had the power of Kano’s karate chop. This concluded a fine day at Durham. MPS

LACROSSE

1st XII v Shrewsbury Lost 8-5
1st XII v Oxton Lost 3-2
Despite the weather conditions Sedbergh travelled to Oxton, Birkenhead for a triangular fixture against Shrewsbury and Oxton. Having played Shrewsbury in the North Schools’ tournament they knew that the competition was tough but Sedbergh put practice into play and raised their game.

Possession was evenly distributed between the teams in a close game of 8-5 to Shrewsbury. Lucy Bailey contributed to the score line with 3 goals coming from well-timed cuts. Sedbergh then played Oxton with the same level of intensity and held them to a much closer score of 3-2 against. Abigail Quigley played a vital role in defence and cleared the ball out of danger on numerous occasions. RPM

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