U11 girls win a place at IAPS National Finals!

A fantastic day of sporting achievement at the IAPS qualifiers at Ipswich

The girls travelled to Ipswich on the back of an impressive performance at the Framlingham Festival. We started by playing Ipswich Prep, and despite having the better of the game and creating a number of chances, the girls couldn’t find the net and the game finished goalless. The girls then had to play another 3 games back to back, which would be a real test of their fitness levels.

Littlegarth School were our next opponents and we were soon passing the ball well in midfield, with Grace H-K, Emily H and Evie W combining well to set up Edith D for the opening goal. Grace scored again soon after. We then had to defend, and Eleanor T and Alex G had to be at their best to thwart the opposition, although we did concede just before the end of the game, the team won this match 2-1.

We then played some excellent hockey against St Joseph’s College and scored after 20 seconds with Edith hitting the back of the net. Evie scored two more before Emily made the game safe with a fourth. Lily-Ella P-H came close to adding another, but the final score remained 4-0.

Then came the big showdown with Beeston Hall and the girls had to get something out of the game to ensure they progressed from their group. LPS@TH started the game very well and were soon pushing Beeston back, with the girls winning all the 50-50 tackles. A great run from Evie set up Edith for an opening goal, before Isabel M, who hadn’t had too much to do so far in the tournament, made two outstanding saves to keep Beeston out. Chance came and went at both ends before Beeston struck an equaliser, but the girls dug deep and pushed forward once again and Edith scored a great goal to give us a 2-1 win.

Bishop’s Stortford College were our opponents in the quarter finals. Whilst our girls didn’t  necessarily play their best hockey in this game, they secured a win when with 20 seconds left a good break from Grace found Emily who passed the ball through for Edith to score the winner! We were in the semi finals where the prize for the winner was a place in the final and a coveted place at the National IAPS finals.

We were to play The Perse who had beaten us 2-0 in the Framlingham Festival final last week. The girls were determined to put in a great performance and turn the result around. We started well with Eleanor and Alex resolute at back, snuffing out any attack. Emily, Grace and Evie were dominant in midfield and Edith was causing the defence difficulties with her constant movement off the ball. It was Edith who chased a lost cause which allowed her to capitalise on a defensive mistake and score with one minute left. It seemed like the longest minute ever, but the girls ran and fought for every loose ball to ensure they won the game and a place at the National finals.

We still had to play the final against Beeston who also qualified for the Nationals, great news for Norfolk. Beeston had the better game this time and scored two quick goals to knock the stuffing out of us. Despite our effort, we couldn’t get back into the game this time.

The girls were given huge credit all day for their highly impressive performances on and off the pitch. Mr Martin would like to thank the girls for their commitment this term to training. The whole squad also come to Hockey Hobby after School. They all listen and try to implement the instructions given to the letter, they have been a joy to coach and thoroughly deserve their success. Let’s see how far we can now go at the National finals at Millfield in November.

Team: Isabelle M, Eleanor T, Alex G, Grace H-K, Emily H, Evie W, Edith D, Lily-Ella P-H