GIRLS’ SPORTS REPORTS 21/11/16

HOCKEY

1st XI v Rossall
In what was probably the coldest fixture of the year so far Sedbergh faced off against Rossall. The standard of hockey improved significantly once their critical decision making skills sped up.

The storm like conditions displayed Sedbergh’s perseverance, as they battled though the hail. The quality of hockey shone through on what was the only positive of the day. In moments of brilliance, the Sedbergh side showed utter control over the game and Anna P-J hammered home Sedbergh’s first goal.

The goals rained in for Cheza Millar, who boldly claimed the next two goals and then a third following Anna who scored the fourth. A 5-0 win in difficult conditions.   MWS

U18 XI North West Semi Finals – qualified for North Finals

v St Edwards – won 5-0
v Altrincham GS – drawn 1-1
v Lymm – won 1-0
v Stoneyhurst – won 2-1

Sedbergh under 18s qualified for the North finals after winning three and drawing one of their four games. After a comfortable win against St Edwards in the first game, thanks to two goals each from Emily Stuart and Molly Davies and an Imo Boddy converted short corner, Sedbergh were faced with a far tougher test in their next game against Altrincham Grammar. 

Despite a limited amount of possession Sedbergh looked dangerous on the break despite missing four regular first team players who were age restricted. Late in the first half a Josie Coulthard deflection into the roof of the net from a short corner put Sedbergh into the lead, which they held until the very last play of the second half.

After a battling defensive display in the second half, with Joy Stanley making a couple of fine saves and captain Georgina Boyd Moss clearing a shot off the line, Sedbergh can consider themselves very unfortunate to concede a penalty flick with fifteen seconds to play. Altrincham converted the flick and certainly deserved at least a draw but at the same stage admitted they were very fortunate.

Having already played for over an hour, Sedbergh regrouped after this disappointment for their third game in a row and beat Lymm after Cheza Millar deflected the ball into the net late in the first half. In a less fluent second half display Sedbergh worked hard but failed to take the opportunities in front of goal to allow them to relax as Lymm pushed them hard. 

When the final whistle went it was a case of “job done” and set up a winner takes all game against Stonyhurst in their final match. Despite controlling possession Sedbergh again failed to convert their scoring opportunities and it was only thanks to another Cheza Millar defection at the right post that gave Sedbergh the lead midway through the first half.

Whilst this lead was short lived as Stonyhurst levelled from a short corner strike, Sedbergh continued to make scoring opportunities largely set up by their left and right insides, Eliza Nelstrop and Imo Boddy. Eventually late in the second half Boddy’s surging run into the D and powerful strike was defected by Molly Davis at the far post to give Sedbergh a deserved win and with it a place at Weetwood next Thursday.
MPS

U16 XI North West Semi Finals
The u16s travelled to Timperley looking to book their place in the north finals along with the 18s who qualified earlier in the week!  The first fixture was against Merchant Taylors from Liverpool, as with any tournament play the first fixture is always the most important!

Sedbergh started quickly with Issy Chamberlain scoring a well-placed drag flick from a short corner that left the keeper motionless. Anna Pateman Johnson then rounded the goalie to calmly slot home to make it 2-0. With the score line 2-0 at half time the girls looked to pile on the pressure in the second half and they didn’t disappoint, Chess Cooke and Jemima Cookson both got in on the action scoring two goals each to give their side a 6-0 win the first game.  

A lapse in concentration in the second fixture saw Stonyhurst score off their only venture in to our 25, their clerations where short lived as Chess found side netting to tie things up. Sedbergh continued to pile on the pressure but were unable to find the winner!

Sedbergh had secured top spot and would play runner up on the other group which was Altrincham Girls Grammar School. Jemima Cookson stepped up and beat their left back time after time providing numerous chances to our forwards that were struggling to find their A game.

This was until the pressure became too much and Chess Cooke was in the right place at the right time again to give Sedbergh the lead. Chess doubled the lead midway through the second half with a well-executed shoulder height volley as the ball looped up off the goalie from an Anna Pateman Johnson shot. Altrincham grabbed a late consolation goal, but the win was all but secured. 

An impressive performance in difficult wet and cold conditions from a talented u16 side who have a real shot at making the final in Leeds a week on Tuesday.
MWS

1st v St Peters  Won 3-2
A game with a lot to lose for both sides! Sedbergh and St Peters York are the only two sides in the Northern League to remain unbeaten, so this tough fixture had something extra to it. The first half was a cagey affair with Sedbergh missing good chances on both posts and Peters hitting the post in a well worked move, however neither team stepped up to claim the game. The score 0-0 at halftime.

A poor piece of defending in the opening 2 minutes got Sedbergh off to the worst possible start as they conceded a very soft goal. However, this seemed to be the catalyst the girls needed to get in to top gear.  

Just two minutes later Jemima Cookson accelerated in to the D, rounded the goalie and slid home the equaliser. As Sedbergh’s momentum started to flow, they recycled the ball and jumped upon any mistakes of St Peter’s. Anna P-J put the girls in front as she converted a well-timed deflection.

In a game that was now very open and end to end the lead didn’t last long as St. Peter’s scored an equaliser soon after. This frustration of losing the lead once again gave the girls a boost, and this competitive side rose to the challenge.

The quick interchanging play displayed the effectiveness of Sedbergh’s style of play which ultimately proved too much for St Peters, simple, one touch hockey beat the opposition which resulted in Anna P-J scoring a well earned winning goal.  Sedbergh came away victorious with a 3-2 win.
MWS

2nd v St Peters  Lost 2-0
On the 19th of November Sedbergh 2nd team travelled to St. Peter’s where they fought through one of the hardest games of the season so far. The match started strong with the defence and midfield ensuring that the ball remained out of our half.

However the forwards missed out on some vital opportunities to shoot and deflect on goal. The positive, fighting attitude remained for the duration of the first half with Grace Sykes and Sophie McEwan working well together to use the width of the pitch to the best of their advantage. 

The second half of the match was not quite as successful with a shaky start resulting in St. Peter’s gaining possession of the ball. We conceded a goal after their forwards skilfully deflected from the right back post.

Following on from this we fought back hard however St. Peter’s managed to score again which meant unfortunately it was difficult to raise spirits in the rainy conditions. We can all take something from this match which we will put in to practice on Monday at training. Well done to everyone that played.
MWS

3rd v St Peters  Lost 2-0
The thirds took a while to settle into the game and were largely soaking up pressure from Peters in the first half. At half time we were one nil down. Changes saw our positional play improve in the second half and we were first to the ball much more.

Maguire was dynamic and bold in goal and we created chances down the right in the second half but the final shot lacked pace. Imogen Caudwell made some convincing clearances out of defence.  However, St Peters were strong on the press and scored again mid way through the second half. Next match the girls will be ready from the off.
HLR

U15A v St Peters  Won 2-1

Matches against St Peters are always tough and this proved to be no different in what proved to be a game of two halves for the Sedbergh girls. Against the run of play Sedbergh took the lead halfway through the first half thanks to Chess Cooke’s close range finish.

St Peter’s deservedly equalised before half time despite the best efforts of goalkeeper Katie Gill, who had kept Sedbergh in the game, as the girls struggled to play with any rhythm, confidence or desire. An honest self assessment and reshuffle at half time saw a totally different Sedbergh in the second half, as the girls were quicker in everything they did, and were duly rewarded when Ellie Heathcote was quickest to react and slotted home from close quarters.

This was one of those learning experiences that could make this set of players if they reflect on their individual and group performance in each half, understand the positives and negatives and work towards playing consistently like they did in the second half.
MPS

U15B v St Peter’s Won 2-0

In another competitive game Sedbergh’s girls had to battle from the first whistle to the last to match a strong St Peter’s side. This they did to a player, and Caroline Von Ratibor’s first half goal and Alice Holling’s second half goal enabled the girls to come out on top.

Whilst I cannot pick out any player more than another, such was the team commitment, Alice Holling’s goal in particular summed the desire of all the players, diving full stretch at the far post to score, taking all the skin off her knees but dusting herself down and ecstatic at scoring. This was a great experience for everyone involved and one the girls should be very proud of.
MPS

U14A v St Peters  Won 3-1
On a cold snowy day our U14 girls were eager and ready to put up a good fight against St Peters down at the Casterton pitch.  The girls started off strong holding most of the possession but struggled to get any conversions until India Haydon Wood and Tash Cookson managed to trick the goal keeper with a ‘dummy’ and get the first goal.  

After this confidence grew in the team and with their skill and speed managed to beat many of the St Peters defenders and get a following 2 more goals. With lots of attacking moments there was still a fair share of defensive work taking place which saw Daisy Page really step up and block lots of their play. A super game and well deserved victory, well done.
ELAW

U14B v St Peters  Won 2-1
This side worked well together and the play flowed. The girls moved the ball forward effectively and made good use of the full width of the pitch. Timely crosses into the D allowed Olivia Chatterley to score twice for the second week running. Jemima Sanderson shot wide on a short corner and dominated the defence.

It was gratifying to see how much players new to the game are improving and gaining confidence ; Amelia Horan made some excellent leads down the right . Daisy Armstrong stepped up to play goal keeper at the last minute and made crucial saves.
HLR 

NETBALL

U15 National Cup v Ashville  Won 29-27
An epic schoolgirl fixture against a talented Ashville side, with the lead only ever increasing to four goals through the hour.  Some high percentage shooting by Katie Haywood ensured that opportunities were taken with all defensive targets also being met.  

An excellent defensive display by Cooke, Dale, Welsh kept the goals ticking over and Heathcote worked tirelessly through the middle to link up.  Lots of examples of staying calm under pressure and delivering the goods at crucial times shown – outstanding effort from these girls to go to the last 16 in the country of this national cup.
LS

U16 County Netball Finals
A good performance from our talented U16 netball side who cruised to victory with little opposition in Cumbria.  The wet, windy and extremely cold day saw the whole squad take to the court to contribute to claiming the County Trophy again this year and qualifying for North West Finals on January 21st.  

Outstanding defence from Cooke, Dale, Waller and Welsh ensured that our shooters had many opportunities with Herman at Wing Attack providing some top class feeds especially in the semi and final and Maguire and Haywood shooting solidly.   Well played girls.
LS