GIRLS’ SPORTS REPORTS 10/11/14

U14 North West Hockey Finals – Won – qualified for North Finals
After an early start the U14 travelled to Timperley to compete in the North Finals, our group saw us paired against Kirkham and Mechant Taylor’s. An electric start saw Jemima Cookson convert a fluid move at the back post! Anna Pateman Johnson wasted no time at all grabbing herself a 9 minute hat trick. Becky Hadfield grabbed a final goal to make it 5-0, a great start that enabled the team to slow down and conserve energy. 

Kirkham were next and again Sedbergh were too much to handle in the first 10 minutes going 2-0 up with goals from Imogen Duncalf and Becky Hadfield, a relaxed side then passed the ball about limiting their running to help save their legs for a final game. Imani Botham was able to grab a third through a well-executed penalty corner. A final score of 3-1.

A win vs Hill house would see the 14s crowned North West Champions and through to the North Finals. Once again the girls were quick from the first whistle and found themselves 2 up after 7 minutes courtesy of Anna Pateman Johnson and Jemima Cookson. Hill House threatened with a rare attack and managed to score after pinball in the area. Once again this free scoring team responded and almost immediately went and scored the winner to settle the tie.   MWS

U18 North West Hockey Finals – Lost on penalty flicks
Another Penalty Shoot Out Heartbreak for the 1st XI

V Dinnington won 4-0
V Stockport GS lost 5-0
V Lancaster GS drew 1-1 (lost on penalties)

After last year’s penalty shoot-out heartbreak in the National play offs Sedbergh will feel like it’s “déjà-vue” after being knocked out again in similar fashion, this time by Lancaster Grammar. Despite going to the Under 18s North West Finals without several regular first team players and with little form to go by the under 18s played with great determination and in typical Sedbergh fashion.

In the group stage Sedbergh easily beat Dinnington with two goals from Hannah Page and one each by Emilia Tyser and Eliza Hodgson. In the second group game the girls defended with heart against arguably the best girl’s school team in the country, Stockport Grammar, but despite a superb display from goalkeeper Laura Batty Sedbergh were well beaten. 

Sedbergh progressed to the knockout stage in second place and faced Lancaster Grammar, winners of the other group, with a place in the North Finals at stake. 

Sedbergh started strongly but an injury to Eliza Hodgson midway through the first half changed the complexion of the game and Lancaster gained the ascendency. Early in the second half Lancaster scored off a short corner, but Sedbergh never gave in and with a minute to go a well worked short corner was converted by Captain Emilia Tyser to force the game into a penalty shoot-out. 

Unfortunately for Sedbergh they once again tasted the bitter disappointment of going out in such a cruel manner. However there are so many positives to be taken from the day, and hopefully the girls can transfer these into their matches for the remainder of the term. Well done girls. 

MPS1st XI v Durham Won 3-2
After such a positive showing at North West the first team travelled away to Durham with renewed enthusiasm, an early short corner converted my Emilia Tyser put them ahead. Durham were quick to reply with a well worked team goal. Half time 1-1.

Sedbergh started the second half well and Fern capitalised from a bad clearance from the goalie to slot the ball home low in the bottom corner. With Sedbergh pressure building they were rewarded a short corner and as on so many occasions captain Emilia Tyser stepped up to score with a dragflick low to the side netting leaving the keeper motionless. Durham grabbed a late consolation to leave the score 3-2.  

2nd XI v Durham Won 4-0Despite the absence of several regular players the 2nd team put in a very good performance scoring 2 goals in each half. Lotte McAteer controlled the game from centre half whilst Heather Colston and Abi Quigley stepped up well to snuff out any Durham chances down the middle.

Emily Edwards scored two, Candice Dobson and Amy Mahon one apiece, the latter on her return from injury with her first touch after coming on as a substitute. Emily MacMillan was powerful at centre-forward and was unlucky not to have scored herself, whilst Rebecca Monaghan Allan and Phoebe Whatoff worked hard down the inside channels.

This was a much better performance from the girls and one that will need to be repeated against the likes of St Peter’s York if they are to get more positive results before the end of term.   

U15XI v Durham Won 5-0Having witnessed the 1s get a vital win the 15s were the last to play knowing Sedbergh had 3 wins on the board against Durham, and this unbeaten side didn’t disappoint.

Molly Davies grabbed herself a 15-minute hat trick after great individual skills from Eliza Nelstrop, Josie Coulthard and Grace Sykes. Josie joined in and scored her 22nd goal of the season with a powerful finish.

To round things off Molly grabbed yet another goal to take her tally to 4 for the day, another game and another win for the 15s who go from strength to strength readying themselves for York in two weeks, final score 5-0 

U14XI v Durham Won 9-0

The under 14s remain unbeaten after another fine performance against Durham with hatricks from Anna Pateman-Johnson and Imani Botham, plus goals by Izzy Chamberlain, Rebecca Hadfield and Ruby Page.

From the push back Durham were unable to stop Sedbergh attacking down both flanks and it was only due to some fine goalkeeping by the Durham keeper that the score was not much higher than 4-0 at half time.

Within 5 minutes of the re-start Sedbergh had added two more goals before Imani Botham struck three powerful goals off short corners. This team continues to play with pace and power as they prepare for the North finals in 10 days time.

U14 XI v Giggleswick – Won 7-0

After a postponement on Saturday the 14s faced Giggleswick on Tuesday afternoon. The focus for the team was to keep the ball through numerous phases to help protect their tired legs after Monday’s North West exertions. Sedbergh soon found their foothold in the game and went one up with Anna Pateman Johnson rounding the keeper for the easiest of finishes.

Captain Issy Chamberlain continued to lead by example with her 5th reverse stick goal this year, she went on to grab another just before half time with Jemima tormenting the Giggleswick defence.  With Issy, Anna and Imani all off for the second half it was time for the squad to show its strength, Amy Slatery grabbed a second half hat trick. Final score was 7-0 a great performance with a real display of determination and grit!   MWS

U16 County Netball Tournament – Won   HJC
1st XII Lacrosse v Birkenhead – Lost    RPM

Having played Birkenhead last season, Sedbergh were anticipating a tough game. From the first whistle Sedbergh attacked the ball confidently and showing no fear to get stuck in, winning the ground balls on numerous occasions. This unsettled Birkenhead’s style of play but once they got the ball in their stick they moved quickly down to their attacking end and scored from fast breaks. 

Rixa Von Weitershiem played solidly in defence, making smart decisions to slide to the ball and clearing the ball out calmly. 
Attacked made strong drives to goal but the timings of cuts left the 8m crowded and passes were intercepted. 
If nothing else, Sedbergh can learn from this experienced Birkenhead side and all the girls should be proud of how they played!

Senior IV Tennis v Yarm and RGS Newcastle
All four girls played some excellent tennis, showing great skill and competitiveness with Josie Coulthard winning her set 6-0.

Sedbergh drew against Yarm taking it to a tie break where they were unfortunately beaten 10-8, however Nicole Jefferies and Georgie Boyd-Moss played exceptionally well against what was a very strong duo who have played together for several years.

The Sedbergh girls succeeded against RGS Newcastle with Holly Hesford winning her set 6-3 and Georgie winning 6-2. A great day out with competitive enjoyable tennis, shame to lose on shootout tiebreak.

ATH