Monday 21st November 2011
The U13VII squad
Jessica R-S CAPT ( Player of the tournament)
Alice S
Annie G-P
Georgina H
Arabella H
Ella N
Fran B
Arabella A
Georgia R
Coaches : Derek Brock and Michelle Northcott
Assistant coaches on this particular day:
Mr and Mrs R-S, Mr and Mrs Serby, Mr and Mrs G-P’s, Mr and Mrs Harrison, Mr and Mrs Heap, Mr and Mrs Nieper, Mrs Bock, Mrs Abbott and Mr Renshaw and………….Miranda!
This really was “the greatest day of our lives!”
The U13 VII squad have displayed an exceptional display of hockey today. After seeing the girls play, each match just got better and better and it was the sudden realisation that we as spectators were all seeing the best hockey that the U13 S. Anselm’s team have ever played under pressure and now at a Major National Tournament.
The results really do not reflect the standard of play and how close the section was. In our first match, it was evident that S. Anselm’s were very nervous. It was an excellent first match, S. Anselm’s had 80% possession and unfortunately Perrott Hill had one opportunity and scored early on in the match. S. Anselm’s lost 1-0. In the second match V Felstead, the team again played superbly but unfortunately Felstead’s strongest player ( possibly a future junior international) scored 2 goals and even though the S. Anselm’s team had as much possession and opportunities, the team were unlucky not to score. In the third match, it would have been very easy for the girls heads to start dropping after the previous matches. However, the girls were playing excellent hockey and the aim for the next match V Swanbourne House was to play strong defensively. This is exactly what the team did and the scoreline was 1-0 against the potential finalists Swanbourne. The team came away from that particularly match with a lift in tempo. The S. Anselm’s side were starting to realise how good they were, Alice S was outstanding as Goal Keeper and the defence Annie G-P and Georgina H were looking tight and strong. In the middle Jessica R-S dominated the centre channel, made clear runs and penetrated the ball well into S. Anselm’s attack. Arabella H was again skilful, confident on the ball and out shone a lot of county and possibly National standard players. Arabella was unlucky today not to score, however it wasn’t for the lack of trying. Her shots were on target and powerful only to be saved by excellent opposing Goal keepers. This was apparent in the fourth game of the day V Greshams. The scoreline ended in 0-0 draw, it was a super game. It was great to see Arabella A getting useful touches on the ball using the pitch well to attack, and again S. Anselm’s could have very easily come away with a win. But points of the scorecard and all to play for in the final match V The Downs ( who were winners of the South section ). Fran B was playing a CF position and was really up for it! The S. Anselm’s side dominated the game right from the start. Arabella H, Jess R-S, Ella N, Georgia R and Annie G-P were attacking hard and creating opportunities in the D for penalty corners or shots on goal. However, about 2 minutes before the second half, Fran B positioned brilliantly on the right post, Arabella H sent the ball into the D and having a shot on goal, Fran deflected the ball and swept the ball into the back of the goal mouth. S. Anselm’s went 1-0 up! Bocky did it! It really was fantastic to see her and the team’s reaction as well as the parents reaction! A very special moment of the day! The team managed to keep the 1-0 lead and finish with 4 points on the scoreboard.
The matches were all very close which meant that Felstead and Swanbourne both went through to the play the 1st and 2nd place cup semifinal. However, Perrot Hill finished on 5 points, S. Anselm’s 4 points, Greshams 4 points and The Downs 3 points. It was very close to see who was to go through to the 3rd / 4th Plate play off. Unfortunately S. Anselm’s missed out on goal difference of 1 to Greshams.
However, I would like to congratulate the girls on their performances at the National Finals. We certainly showed that S. Anselm’s does have exceptional hockey players, and our team is one of the best IAPS hockey teams at U13 level in the country! Well done to all on your performances today, I am very very proud of you all. This was actually my first National Hockey Final Championship that I had ever been to, and I will certainly cherish this day as one of my finest moments as a coach.
I have loved coaching hockey with Derek and I must thank him from the bottom of my heart for all his coaching expertise and encouragement with the squad. It really has been a privilege working with Derek, of which I will miss very much next year! Thank you to Mrs B for organising all the astro time and arrangements for the squad this season. Without the opportunities that Mrs B has given to the squad starting back in September for pre season at Belper to astro training sessions at Matlock, the team would not have been so well prepared for this major tournament. I would like to thank the teaching staff at S. Anselm’s for their continuous support as always and finally to the parents for your continuous encouragement. It has been a fantastic season of hockey and the Finals today at Queenswood were certainly the icing on the cake. Thank you for your support.
I am very much looking forward to seeing you all at the Parents V U13 team match in a few weeks time.
Michelle Northcott
Posted on
Tue, November 22, 2011
by Admin