A Day To Remember For U14s at Girls Schools Finals

Young hockey players from across the country enjoyed a day to remember as the England Hockey U14 Girls Schools Championships Tier 1 Finals took place on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

With eight teams competing and a great level of spirit, skill and stamina on show, the Schools events are always a highlight of the hockey calendar.

The schools were split into two Pools of four, with the winner of each Pool going through to the overall final, and the remaining teams playing against each other to determine third to eighth place.

In Pool A, Wellington College prevailed in a closely-fought series of games, taking seven points from a possible nine. A strike from Jess Thompson proved crucial as she scored the only goal to defeat Queens School Chester; that victory ensuring Wellington won the group by two points. Millfield finished second, Lilly Holmes captaining her side to a win and two draws. With Queens School Chester in third, Grammar School at Leeds came in fourth, and were unfortunate to lose each game by just a single goal.

Pool B was even tighter, with only three points separating first from fourth. Surbiton High School took top spot, with Phoebe Barnett (2), Mathilde Glover, Izzy Yonge, Katie Southorn, Mathilde Glover and skipper Darcey Hepden scoring in their three matches. Ipswich School were a point behind in second, with Repton in third having drawn all three matches. Despite only losing once, Cranleigh came in fourth.

Into the play-off matches, firstly it was Cranleigh who secured seventh spot with a 2-0 scoreline against Grammar School at Leeds; Captain Eliza Lawes scoring before Isla Gemmell doubled the advantage. 

Queens School Chester earned fifth place by beating Repton 2-1, Emily Owen showing her footballing father Michael’s goalscoring instincts to net twice before Martha Haines’ consolation.

Then a high-scoring match saw Ipswich School take third place with a 3-1 win against Millfield. Evie Younger gave Ipswich the lead, only for skipper Lilly Holmes to level matters. Isabella Foelster then scored twice in the space of six minutes to give her team the victory. 

As one would expect, the final was a great spectacle for the sport and hats off to every player for their commitment. It was Surbiton High who prevailed 3-0, but credit must also go to runners-up Wellington College in what was an end-to-end match. Sophie Osborne opened the scoring after ten minutes and doubled the advantage with 21 minutes gone. Mathilde Glover sealed the win with five to go, and Surbiton had to defend stoutly throughout to repel a Wellington side who created a number of good opportunities and can also walk away with their heads held high.

So it was Surbiton skipper Darcey Hebden who rightly lifted the trophy with her young teammates at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, and congratulations must go to all of the young players, coaches and officials who contributed to a great day of hockey.

For a full breakdown of all results, teams and scorers click here.