Report by HCS Head of Hockey, Mr Andy Rogers
After a huge amount of practice, and some stunning performances at the Regional Finals at Clifton College, the girls had the opportunity to represent the School at the National Finals in February. They did themselves and the school proud. They lost one game against Lord Wandsworth school, whose England U16 international proved too hot to handle in a 3-2 defeat, meaning the best we could play for was a bronze medal.
Report:
On February 6 our U16 girls travelled to Nottingham Hockey Centre for the National Finals on Monday. We trained on the pitch in the wind and rain on Sunday night and then had a team dinner out together following my last-minute team meeting and tactics session that evening.
On Monday morning we arrived back at Nottingham Hockey Centre with frozen pitches and a delay to the start. Matches were all delayed by over and hour, but the girls were determined and ready to go and show everyone what they could do.
![Hockey](https://herefordcs.com/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_third/public/paragraphs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%281%29a.jpg?itok=Fxwc1jx5")
![Hockey](https://herefordcs.com/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_third/public/paragraphs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%283%29a.jpg?itok=LWBQ4yT2")
![Hockey](https://herefordcs.com/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_third/public/paragraphs/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%282%29a.jpg?itok=CL39JDXF")
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Game 1: 1-0 v Yarm School
Our first game against Yarm School started over an hour late. We were a little nervous but managed to finally break the deadlock with Grace MG scoring from a penalty corner. We had several opportunities to go further ahead but held on to our 1-0 win – all thanks to Maddie T’s outstanding work rate and defending to prevent them drawing level.
Game 2: 2-3 v Lord Wandsworth
Our second game against Lord Wandsworth school was always going to be tough; they had already beaten Wrekin 6-0. We started well, with Manuela scoring her first goal of the day to make it 1-0 at half time. Lord Wandsworth hit back with three goals in 8 minutes to make it very tough. Lilia scored to give us a chance of drawing level but we ran out of time, making it really tough for us to reach the final.
Game 3: 2-0 v Wrekin College
Our third game against Wrekin was a one-sided game with Maddy C scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory meaning we qualified for the 3rd/4th place play-off and a chance for a Bronze medal.
3rd/4th Place Playoff v Wilmslow
Our final game was against Wilmslow High School where we played our best hockey of the day. Two more goals from Maddy C, Ava C and Manuela H meant we won 4-2 and the Bronze medal.
It was an incredibly tough day, but the girls all performed amazingly well and should be very proud of their achievements.
Massive thanks to all the parents and school coaches who came to watch us on the day, it was great to have some friendly voices supporting us all the way.
Team List:
Jess D (Captain)
Georgia E
Amelia W
Madeleine T
Grace M-G
Ava C
Lilia W
Jess C
Madeleine C
Apolline H-B
Hannah C
Molly G
Georgia L
Manuela H
