GIRLS’ SPORTS REPORTS 20/11/2017

HOCKEY

U18 North West Hockey Semi Finals

Liverpool College
An electric start from Sedbergh saw them score two early goals with Jemima Cookson and Mary Archner in scintillating form. Josie Coulthard and Issy Chamberlain provided plenty of attacking ammunition with the final score reading 6-0. The perfect start to a day of qualification. 

Stockport
For the past 5 years Stockport have been the team to beat, qualifying for Nationals 3 times and winning it once. Sedbergh continued their electric start with Chess Cooke opening the scoring. This time it was the centre backs providing the attacking platform for the front 5 winning the ball early and high up the pitch and sending 40/50yard pinpoint passes to the forward line. Another near perfect performance in front of goal running out 5-0 winners. 

Kings Macclesfield 
Sedbergh had topped their group and it was clear to see they were the best team there. Sedbergh hockey have never been the favourites at NW nor at North, and it was pleasing to see it didn’t phase them! A comprehensive 7-0 victory saw them cruise through to the North Finals where again they will be in the top 3 favourites to head through to Nationals. Jemima Cookson deserves a special mention for scoring 7 in 3 games.

Finally, Georgina Boyd Moss was awarded her Brown Blazer for her exemplary commitment she has shown to the hockey club. She has been captain of every age group, won a national title and amassed for that 50 wins at first team level as captain. A true role model on and off the pitch!  

2nd XI v Durham 1sts – Lost 1-0
In a very competitive game the second eleven were beaten by Durham first team by a single goal in the first half when Sedbergh’s defenders momentarily lost concentration and failed to react after a foot in the D. Expecting a short corner award from the umpire Sedbergh stopped playing whilst Durham quickly reacted and slotted home from close range despite an initial superb save from goalkeeper Lena Muller-Eising. Sedbergh’s goalkeeper made half a dozen saves in the game including one unbelievable close range diving stick save that was heading into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

Despite defending and moving the ball around the back well, Sedbergh were unable to move the ball quickly enough on a very slow surface or make strong enough leads from the forwards to break Durham’s high press. In particular Ruby Page at left wing back and Molly Davies at inside forward stood out as Sedbergh’s best outfield players. A tough defeat but exactly the sort of game the girls needed going into the toughest game of the year against St Peter’s on Saturday.

U16 North West Hockey Semi Finals
After the success of the U18s on Tuesday, next up was the U16s chance to impress at the North West finals. St Edwards were the first opponent the girls faced after a long journey to Timperley. This didn’t matter though, as a blistering start meant early goals for Scout Turner Richards and Lottie Burns gave Sedbergh a comfortable lead early on. Waves of attacks meant going into half time at 2-0 was slightly disappointing. 

However, the second half brought a more clinical Sedbergh with three more goals scored and a final score of 5-0. A very impressive start and one that gave the girls a big boost going into the next game. The second game provided a tougher test for the girls. Manchester High were the opponents in what was a superb hockey match.

Truly end to end stuff with high intensity meant both teams were going all out to gain a much needed win to top the group. After going 1-0 down the girls responded 30 seconds before half time with a great finish from Scout turner Richards once again finding space in the D. The second half proved more of the same, with both teams dominating equally.

Special mention to the Sedbergh defence who were fantastic in their short corner defensive duties to deny Manchester on several occasions. With 5 minutes to go, a perfectly worked short corner routine carried out by India Haydon Wood and Tash Cookson gave Sedbergh a 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, two late goals stole victory from the girls and allowed Manchester to top the group. A truly fantastic performance which would have seen a draw be a fair result. This meant the final for Sedbergh was played against Queens (Winners of other group). Yet again, a very close fought contest saw chances at both ends.

The Sedbergh defence being as reliable as they had been all day allowed the likes of Tash Cookson, India Haydon Wood and Kitty Barker to hit Queens on the counter. A breakthrough came after Scout scored for the third time with an accurate finish. This prompted a response from Queens who scored directly from a short corner half way through the second half. Finally after numerous blows, the full time whistle went with the score at 1-1. Just flicks stood in the way of the girls and becoming North West champions.

With some confident flicks on show Perdie Blackhall, Gabby Simpson, Emily Dignan and Ellie Madden all scored their crucial flicks and Lena Muller Eising provided the crucial save that won it for Sedbergh. Final score 4-3 Sedbergh on Flicks. 

An absolutely sensational day for Sedbergh U16 girls who become the North West champions. Congratulations!!!


1st XI v St Peters – Drew 4-4
A tough opening 4 minutes saw Sedbergh concede 2 cheap goals by the sides high standards. Failure to protect line to goal and then an unchallenged ball carrier from the half way line. It takes a lot to come back from 2-0 down and the girls didn’t disappoint. Jemima and Mary were irresistible on the left and right wing, causing problem after problem for the Peters defence.

As soon as Sedbergh got back on track scoring twice in quick succession they gave another goal away, leaving the inside of the pitch to open and Peters took full advantage. Anna quickly tied things level just before the half time break finishing off a flowing move from Issy and Josie in the middle of the pitch.

Sedbergh started the second half better than they did with the first and quickly took the lead for the first time. A number of short corners in quick succession unfortunately weren’t converted before St Peters managed to scrape their way to a draw with the last hit of the game. Disappointment for the girls, but given the nature of the game they showed great spirit and determination to get back in to the game and nearly take all 3 points. Sedbergh will face St Peters again next week in their group at the North Finals. 

2nd XI v St Peters Lost 3-0
The second team put in a much improved performance against a strong st Peters team but ultimately ended up on the losing side despite controlling a large percentage of the possession.  Unfortunately Sedbergh, who moved the ball well until the final third of the pitch, failed to be decisive in the opposition D whilst st Peters were skilful in the final third and converted their chances clinically. That said this was an excellent game played with aggression and in the right manner and every player should be pleased with their effort. 

3rd XI v St Peters
The mighty thirds continued their unbeaten season with a one nil victory against St Peters. Darcey Wilkinson with a rocket strike from a well worked short corner routine. Tanatswa Tigere controlled the play from holding position distributing the ball wide. Sedbergh dominated possession but failed to convert their chances as Peters put the majority of their players in their defensive half making it difficult to break them down. HLR 

4th XI v St Peters Won 6-0
This fledgling side did incredibly well on their debut, working as an effective unit in all areas. Georgia Turner and Grace Sykes were very impressive controlling play , passing accurately with appropriate ball pace. 2 goals each for Belinda Nielsen , Pollyanna Bell and Lucy Preston. Sedbergh looked threatening throughout pushing the press forward. The match was entertaining to watch and the victory was well earned.
HLR

U15A XI v St Peters  Lost 3-1
In a closely fought contest Sedbergh unfortunately ended up on the losing side for only the second time this season. A very organised and fluid St. Peter’s team were on the back foot for long periods of the game, however missed chances and an open defence left Sedbergh open to the counter. Not even an in form Flora Thompson could save Sedbergh as Peters scored three on the break. Despite constant pressure the girls couldn’t find a way to score until another superb run from tash Cookson set up Ella Seymour to get a late consolation for Sedbergh. A draw would have been a fair result here so plenty of positives for the girls moving forwards. 3-1 final score. 

U15B XI v St Peters Won 1-0
The B team also played a well organised Peters team. With the ball being based in the middle of the pitch both teams fought for possession constantly. With both teams cancelling each other out, chances were hard to come by. It looked like the game would finish 0-0 until a short corner was converted by Sedbergh with 4 minutes to go, a great finish back post by Olivia Clark giving Sedbergh the victory. A good performance from the Bs and some girls pushing hard for the call up the the A team! 

U14A XI v St Peters  Won 4- 0 goals scored by Moralee Haywood Milbourne Charlton 
We started slow we kept possession of the ball but lacked finish in attack . Holly and Izzy were doing some great work in the middle but were tightly marked so when we adapted to this and used the wings to open up the pitch the chances started to appear. Our first goal was a brilliant tackle and breakaway from Alice from our half running in to the D the shot was saved but then was tapped in by Holly to give us a 1 vs 0 lead.

We had two short corners to follow on which St Peters had great defence and we went into half time 1 vs 0 up. We stepped it up in the second half and St Peters hardly saw the ball. Some great defensive play through the middle all supporting and backing up each other. Robyn constantly pushing up on the right wing and producing some key tackles.

Our second goal was scored shortly after half time by Alice then the girls confidence began to build. A third goal was soon to follow through great persistence on the edge of the D by Issy producing a double save from St Peters goal keeper on the third attempt she drilled it in to the bottom left corner increasing our lead. A fourth was added by Mia just before the final whistle.  A dominant second half performance producing a comfortable 4 vs 0 win

U14B XI v St Peters  Lost 2-1
The U14Bs started strongly in their first match as a team together. The girls faced good opposition from St Peter’s but managed to really hold their own until the last minute where a short corner goal meant a 2-1 loss. Mentions to Shauna McCarthy for captaining so well and making some great forward runs, also to Rosie Bishop for a great goal, with Grace Capstick and Carolyn Weller holding up the defence really well. A great first outing and a team with plenty of potential.

LACROSSE

Yorkshire Northern Counties Tournament
Sunday saw 6 girls travel to Moreton Hall to compete for Yorkshire in the North Counties Tournament. Faith Barnes played for the U19A who came third and received a special mention from the coaches for outstanding effort and fight all over the pitch. Annabelle Bock Captained the U19B, with Felicity Fairclough as the Vice Captain joined by Lucy Bailey, Olivia Murray and Amelia Maunder the U19B team came 4th in some close fought matches. The girls all excelled in an unknown team and were a credit to Sedbergh School. Lucy Bailey has subsequently been invited to trial for North Regionals.

1st XII v Birkenhead Won 4-3

1st XII v Queens Chester  Lost 10-5
The first match against Birkenhead saw a slow start as our players warmed into the match with the score 1-1 at half time however the second half saw Sedbergh step up the pace of the game squeezing in the last goal and maintaining possession til the final whistle winning 4-3.

The second game saw an extremely physical Queens team that doubled all through the transition demonstrating a style of play not previously experienced by our girls. The first half ended 5-1 to Queens. The girls rallied in the second half fighting hard with some strong one on one drives and great knock downs in defence leaving the second half 5-4 to Queens giving a final score of 10-5 Loss. Although the score line does not reflect it this was by far the best game I’ve seen the girls play this year.

Based on her exceptional performance on Wednesday and throughout the weekend I would like to award colours to Felicity Fairclough.
Felicity leads the defence with a calm confidence and has incredible Lacrosse IQ. She went from not being selected for Yorkshire to excelling at the North Schools Tournament and gaining her selection, going on to vice captain the team on Sunday. She is very deserving of this award and a true leader on the pitch.

TENNIS

Aegon U15 North Finals
A fantastic display by our four Aegon players to take 3rd place in the North of England, joint 9th in Great Britain.  Alice Hollings, Lotte Burns, Sonia Kanevskaya and Flora Thompson played Manchester High School for Girls (boasting a GB representative at No 1) in the first game of the day. 

Some gutsy tennis by all four girls resulted in a 5-1 loss with Flora and Sonya taking the only doubles game.  Sedbergh were then placed against St Peters for 3rd place where they played some outstanding shots to take the fixture 4-2, an excellent display of guts and determination.  Congratulations and well done to the four girls on representing Sedbergh so well, we look forward to the tennis season with anticipation as girls tennis continues to flourish.

RUNNING

District trials – Cartmel
Sedbergh took a team of 15 boys and 20 girls to the District Cross Country Trials in Cartmel.  The Junior Girls (Yr8/9) got us off to a fantastic start with Alicia Newing winning this race but the strong team performance meant the girls also came 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.  Fraser Sproul then kept the good work going in the Junior Boys race and was a convincing winner. 

The Intermediate Girls (Yr10/11) and Seniors Girls (Yr12/13) ran together with Tash Cookson taking second in the Intermediate girls race as was Maria Page in the Senior Girls race.  All of the Senior Girls have qualified for the County Championships which take place in January.  Ben Van Dijk ran strongly to come second in the Senior Boys race.  Good packing meant that all of the Senior Boys have also qualified for the County Championships.

Stonyhurst Trail Race
Sedbergh Schools team of 26 runners dominated this fixture.  The boys and girls of all age groups ran together on this challenging 7km course.  There was a mixture of terrain from road, to trails, to fields and streams, trees and lots of mud for the runners to contend with.  Ben van Dijk was the overall winner of the race with a notable performance from Yr9 Fraser Sproul coming in second. 

Sedbergh pupils ran strongly to take the next ten positions.  This meant that the boys first team comfortably won the Boys Team title; with the boys second team also taking second place.  Another powerful display from Maria Page meant she was first girl home.  Despite not feeling on top form Yr 9 Alicia Newing ran well and was ably supported by the rest of the girls team.  The girls took the Girls Team title.  

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