Trio Of Schools Win Maiden Girls Schools’ Titles

Nottingham Hockey Centre played host to the first Girls’ Schools Finals championships held since 2020, with three schools claiming their first ever pieces of silverware since the event began back in 1980.

Bromley High School, Lord Wandsworth College and St John’s School, Leatherhead all emerged as victors in the second running in each of their respective events as a total of 48 matches were played across the course of the day (7 February).

St John’s School, Leatherhead won the U14 Girls’ Tier 2 competition, having finished fourth two years ago. They began their campaign by topping Pool A with two wins and a draw, booking a place in the final against reigning champions Bedford Girls School, who won all three group games they contested. It was the team from Surrey who would take home the trophy this time however, a single goal from Ivy Wright enough to see St John’s win 1-0.

With reigning champions Truro High School not competing in this year’s U16 Girl’s Tier 3 final, an opportunity arose for a new winner to be crowned. Lord Wandsworth College swept aside their opponents in the group stages, winning all three games to reach the final. They were joined by Sevenoaks, one of three teams to finish on six points in their pool but a superior goal difference meant it was the Kent-based outfit who would contest for gold. They fought hard against Lord Wandsworth College but two goals in five minutes from Monica Watkins – her sixth and seventh strikes of the day – saw the Long Sutton school to the win.

A new winner was also certain in the U18 Girls’ Tier 4 competition with Wells Cathedral School not contesting this time round but who would emerge on top? Hill House topped their pool with two wins and a draw but it was Bromley High School who looked the team to beat, winning all of their opening games. Hill House struck first in the final, Fairth Martin-Porter giving her team the lead before Sasha Kelbrick equalised two minutes later. With the game looking as though it was going to a shootout, Bromley won a corner in the dying seconds that was converted by Louise Coley to ensure her school returned to London as champions.