NATIONAL SUCCESS A CAPTAIN'S PERSPECTIVE

National Cup Squad

Captain: E. Phillips (F)

R. Bowman (M), I. Chihota (G), E. Clark (M), C. Coulborn (F), M. Gaunt (G), M. Haines (M), S. Haines (M), O. Kibler (G), J. Leavesley (M), A. Millard-Smith (A), I. Orpin (A), S. Steele (A), O. Wenham (M), M. Wong (F), K. Wylie (M)

Having a National T1 U16 title to live up to made for a daunting start to the season, to say the least. But after an epic cup run, we were thrilled to hold on to the trophy for another year.

With a bye through the first round, and two teams pulling out against us, the anticipation was killing me, wondering how the team would fare against others in the country. We had barely played together, the team was still not fully established for the season, and defeat in a friendly match against Trent certainly knocked my confidence. But to everyone’s surprise, we smashed our first game, winning 7-2 away against Wakefield Girls High, and thus somehow already through to the Quarter-Finals, despite only having played one game.

Having scouted out the other teams before the draw, it was clear that Surbiton High, with some very talented individual players, were the favourites to win. So, once we realised that we would be playing them, it is safe to say there was a great deal of doubt regarding how much longer our run would last. But as a team we decided all we could do was give it our best shot. I was so impressed with how everyone was able to just treat the match like another game of hockey. The journey down to Surbiton was long but we stepped off the bus to sunshine, with great music playing through the speaker keeping our spirits high. To say the game was tough is an understatement - I don’t think I have played such a tight game. But while scoreline was close, it was so clear that we were the better team, defeating Surbiton 3-2. Yes, they had some great players, but our team finally clicked. We were cohesive, we made great connections, and we impressed as a whole.

The energy going into the home Semi-Final against The Perse was palpable, and a 3-0 win bought our ticket to Lea Valley to try to retain the title - funnily enough, a replay of last year’s Final. Millfield are a very decent side and we didn’t really know what to expect. But after the performance against Surbiton, we had the belief that we could beat any team if we came together. Staying overnight in London before the game was such a memorable experience, with dinner at Pizza Express and lots of free doughballs (apologies to the waiter who had to deal with all our vouchers). But as the day drew to a close, nerves began to settle in. Having played in the Final last year, I was foolishly confident that I wouldn’t feel too worried, but waking up on the day of the final, I realised how wrong I had been. We piled onto the bus, put the music on and set off down the road to Lea Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre. For the non-hockey nerds, this stadium is one of the main stadiums for FIH hockey in the UK. I remember watching England play there when I was younger, and, coming out for the line-out facing the seats where I once sat, I felt truly privileged.

The team was understandably nervous, and this showed when we were 2-0 down in the first half. But our comeback was awesome, winning three short corners, all rocketed into the goal by Rosie B: what an achievement to score a hat-trick in a National Final, putting us ahead of Millfield at 3-2. The next goal came from a penalty flick, Bella C making the score 4-2 at the final whistle.

Throughout the game, every member of the team shone. It was incredible to see how much everyone had improved since our defeat against Trent, both as a team and as individuals. Younger members of the team put out sterling performances in the final, Maisey G making rapid runs up the wing, and Amber M-S working to win every ball, even when we were behind.

Clara, Liv, Martha, Sophie, Ellen, Rosie, Maisey, Sophie, Bella, Ophelia, Amber, Martha, Jemima, Kate and Izzy, I can’t thank you enough for being such an amazing team. I’ve had the best season with you all. To come from where we started to being National Champions is incredible, and you all deserve it. Miss Powell and Mr. Suddes, thank you for having such faith in us. Without your support, we wouldn’t have come together as we did, and we all appreciate your guidance so much. The trophy is now safely back in Repton, and I hope it will stay put for another year…

Beth P (11F)

P4 W1 D1 L2 F8 A13

Squad

Captains: T. Capewell (A), M. Oborn (G)

L. Bielfeldt (F), C. Chapman (A), R. English (F), I. Haigh (M), G. Hiatt (F), L. Iorio (A), L. Kildare (F), S. Merryfield (G),A. Payne (G), I. Ruddy (G), E. Stevenson (A), A. Thandi (A), G. Warbuton (F), A. Williamson (F), F. Yip (F)

U15A

Squad

Captain: M. Wong (F)

A. Aneca-Human (A),

F. Birmingham (M), C. Coulborn (F),

A. Edwards (M), M. Gaunt (G),

E. Geary (A), M. Haines (M),

O. Kibler (G), L. Langley (M),

A. Millard-Smith (A), T. Morley (A),

I. Nash (F), I. Reaves (A), I. White (M),

I hope the girls enjoyed the season as much as I did. They were unbeaten in regular school matches all term, and, although they were knocked out in the Quarter-Final of the ISHC against an excellent St George’s side, several of the squad went on to enjoy winning the Tier 1 National Title, playing up at U16 level, which bodes well for next year’s defence.

As the results suggest, this group of players could be very impressive at times – some of the goals against a physical Sedbergh side were a particular highlight – but it often took them some time to settle into games. Several of them have very exciting futures in the game, but they will need to be switched on from the first whistle in the matches to come!

Martha H, who always made her presence felt in training, was deadly in front of goal, scoring 16 goals in total

The girls had a mixed season, starting off very strongly in a close game, away from home, against Shrewbury (3-3). The following games did not go their way, but the girls must be highly commended for showing great determination and they worked hard in training, with a big focus on goalscoring opportunities. This paid off in the final match of the season, played under the floodlights against Derby High, with lots of goals and a really strong team performance (5-3).

PS

P8 W7 D0 L1 F44 A12 for the season, and Martha W led by example as Captain, as did Amber M-S as Vice-Captain. Both have the potential to be very influential players in the future.

I’d like to thank all the other players, many of whom improved markedly as the term went on, including Isla R, Lydia L and Layla W, who became increasingly influential in games as the term wore on, and in Kate W and Edie G, Repton has two excellent goalkeepers with which to continue the School’s unrivalled hockey reputation. WGO