Lower School take hockey title

Lower School 2 took the Lea Valley Year 8 hockey title last night, remaining undefeated in the seven games of this round-robin tournament, with GK, Charlotte Knight, failing to touch the ball at all!

The first match against Presdales A was always likely to prove the sternest challenge but Haileybury were on the attack from the start, creating several chances but unable to get the vital goal. The whole match was played in the Presdales defensive half but finished 0-0.

In the second game, against Presdales B, Jessica Billings intercepted the ball at the pass-back, rounded four defenders and blasted the ball into the back of the net to score the quickest goal ever. She then went to grab another, with Lizzie Bird making it 3-0 in just 7 minutes.

Broxbourne B had little skill and simply packed their D, making it extremely hard to score. Haileybury forced a string of short corners and Grace Whittaker finally broke the deadlock with the winning goal just before time.

Haileybury were really on song by now and beat a good Simon Balle team, 3-0, playing some excellent hockey and finding it somewhat easier to play against the better teams. Jessica fired in two more goals (almost breaking the goalpost with the power of her second shot!) and Lizzie grabbed the third.

There was more frustration for Haileybury when Turnford simply put all 11 players in the circle with their GK and defence, stopping the ball by any means possible to stop a goal.

John Warner were little better, but Haileybury managed to find the net twice – Jessica’ and Grace again on target.

The last game was against Broxbourne A with Haileybury needing a win to secure the title. Inevitably, it was Jessica who scored early to settle any nerves and lead Haileybury to victory.

Jessica was undoubtedly the class act of the whole tournament but she had tremendous support from the whole squad – several of whom barely touched the ball more than a couple of times in all seven games! Congratulations to everyone.

RESULTS

v Presdales A drew 0-0
v Presdales B won 3-0
v Broxbourne B won 1-0
v Simon Balle won 3-0
v Turnford drew 0-0
v John Warner won 2-0
v Broxbourne A won 1-0