U11 at Rugby School Tournament

Initial Rounds:

V Warwick Prep, lost 6 – 10

V Beachborough, won 11 – 1

V Greshams, won 7 – 6

V Spratton Hall, won 4 – 3

1^st = in group with Warwick Prep & Greshams.

 Plate Semi- Final:

 v Laxton Juniors, won 9 – 3

 Plate Final:

v Spratton Hall, drew 4 – 4 after full time, lost 2 – 1 after two minutes extra time.

U11 Squad: Clare T (GA/C), Emily H (GS), Georgia R (GD / C), Imo C (GK), Beth M (GD), Poppy S (WA), Amelia W (WD), Jessica P (GA).

A tired and stiff U11 team faced a long drive and tough draw in their 4^th tournament of the term at Rugby School. The teams had been divided into two groups, with the three teams who had qualified for the IAPS Nationals all being in the same group – us, Greshams and Warwick Prep and no National Finalists in the other group. We did not get off to the strongest of starts, adjusting to our new team positions, as we were without our usual centre; so Georgia R and Clare T boldly stepped in, whilst wing Beth M moved to play in the D as GD. We were being convincingly beaten by Warwick Prep at half time, but really stepped it up in the second half to come right back into the game and peg back several goals. Our next game against Beachborough saw us face a totally different opposition. GS Emily popped them in easily and we were able to give Jess P our reserve a game (well played Jess), winning this game convincingly by 10 goals. Fired up for our third game we were adjusting to the new positions well and led Greshams all the way through, after previously suffering a defeat to them in Saturday’s Nationals Tournament, well played girls!

However, you would not have thought it was the same team playing in the 4^th game against Spratton Hall, a completely different opposition to Greshams. We lowered our playing level and made very hard work of a game that we should have taken control of by half time. Spratton’s frenetic playing style totally threw us, nonetheless by full time we had taken control and won the game. The tight draw was reflected in the results, with all 3 National finalists tying on 16 points in 1^st place. Semi final places had to be determined by goals scored, putting us in the plate competition. We faced Laxton Juniors in our semi-final and dominated the game from the offset, playing stylish, fluid netball and won convincingly. We then faced Spratton Hall again, who had scraped through to the final, after drawing with Bablake after full time and extra time, in their semi-final and scoring a golden goal to qualify.

The final should have been a breeze and the huge silver plate ours for the taking, but once again we lowered our playing level, leaving the coach and supporters shocked beyond belief to find ourselves trailing 1 – 3 at half time. A stern team talk resulted in a 4 – 4 draw at full time and a much better second half. The girls faced two minutes of extra play and did not keep the momentum going, allowing Spratton to win 2 – 1, unable to get the better of their frenetic play. A deeply disappointing end to the day, normal service will be resumed under 11s in the return fixture against Spratton in a week and a half, won’t it!!

Thank you to Mr Brock for driving us and to our loyal supporters for their encouragement at the tournament. One huge positive – well done to Georgia R (who spent most of the day playing out of her usual position) on being selected by the Rugby staff as the overall player of the tournament, chosen from over 100 girls playing, fantastic!!!

DLB