U16 National Hockey Success
Thursday 30th January saw Headington’s under 16 A hockey team head to Perse School Cambridge for their Quarter Final National Hockey Cup match.
The girls were in high spirits, having previously beaten some excellent ‘hockey schools’, in Wellington College, Cranleigh School, and Sir William Borlase Grammar School. The girls had an excellent warm up, and were clearly in a confident and positive frame of mind at the beginning of the match. They started well and after six minutes went 1-0 up through a sensational goal from Isabel. Headington continued to start well, playing some good attacking hockey and absorbing any Perse attacks, and Isabel scored another goal to double Headington’s lead, Isabel continuing her fantastic form from the previous cup matches. Perse School got one back before half-time making it 2-1 to the girls in blue at the break. Perse came out fighting in the second half and managed to level the game back to 2-2 with a well taken drag flick. After some back and forth, intense hockey, Headington managed to regain a grip on the game. Our defenders putting in a stellar performance showing how they had kept so many cleansheets this year – Tegen (GK), Jemima, Ffion, Alice, Freya, Katie L (U5) and Safiya. The girls looked physically fit and their desire and passion was showing. Headington continued to threaten the Perse goal – Kate, Zara, Rosie, Liv and Isabel leading from the front. From a great ball into the D by Katie (U5), Bea made a stunning run to the back post for a divine deflection high into the net. Queue Mr Williams and Miss Dobson going crazy with sub’s on the sideline! Headington continued to dominate possession with excellent performances from all girls, and midfield generals Clemmie, Bea, Katie J and Katie L (U5) ran the game. After some more superb play Zara sealed the deal with a well worked goal and good finish at the back post. Headington’s best performance yet but a number of learning points.
Thanks to travelling parents and well done to the whole squad for their effort and performance. Up next sees us performing at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, for the Tier 1 National Hockey Under 16 Hockey Championships on Wednesday 26th February. The competition will continue to get tougher and the girls will continue to work hard toward their next challenge. An incredible feat for this history making bunch.
