November and the U13 competition was hosted at Millfield School, Somerset, the very next day. Both days were incredibly busy, enjoyable and also very successful for the girls and Cranleigh Preparatory School as a whole.
The U12 team travelled to Bristol the night before and after a filling meal and a good night’s rest they were raring to go and ready for a busy schedule ahead.
With the weather heavily overcast, the team’s performances in the group stages definitely helped brighten up everybody’s mood. They enjoyed wins against Stonyhurst (2-0), Millfield (3-2) and St. Hugh’s (4-0), with their only blemish against Brighton College (2-5). Despite this result, Cranleigh topped their group and would play Foremarke Hall in the semi-final.
Both teams played some fantastic hockey and created chances in a very tense game of hockey. Unfortunately, Foremarke Hall managed to take a couple of chances, running out 2-0 winners and progressing to the final, where they would eventually lose to Hurstpierpoint.
Cranleigh contested 3rd/4th place, against Millfield (once again). Both teams looked very tired and, at points, the game looked as if it was being playing in slow motion. Despite this, Cranleigh found moments of brilliance and grabbed a well-deserved win (3-0) to claim 3rd place.
The following day, it was the turn of the U13 girls, who had also travelled up the night before and enjoyed a comfortable stay at the Wookey Hole Hotel.
With 16 teams contesting the finals, the squad knew they would have to play some brilliant hockey. They did just that, and started with strong wins against Fettes, Hazlegrove School and Swanbourne House; 2-0, 2-1 and 3-0 respectively. Topping their group, with 3 wins out of 3, Cranleigh looked in good shape.
In the quarter finals Cranleigh took on Orwell Park, emerging with a 3-0 win which saw them progress to the semi-finals.
Next up were Millfield, the hosts of these final competitions. The game was played to its full, with both teams displaying hockey that was worthy of the final itself; at times it was breath taking and there was excitement all the way through. Millfield scored an early goal which put Cranleigh on the back foot. However, Cranleigh fought back and scored a wonderful equalising goal. After normal and extra time, the game finished in a stalemate; the result would be decided by shuffles. In the end, Millfield came out with a victory and progressed to the finals where they would play Foremarke Hall. The Cranleigh girls would have to pick themselves up and contest the bronze medal.
In the 3rd/4th playoff Cranleigh played against a strong Dean Close side. The Cranleigh team showed great strength of character and fought hard to win 2-1 and claim the bronze medal.
Director of Sport, Alison Jolly, said “Even though each of the Cranleigh teams were disappointed after their respective semi-final match, they managed to keep their spirits high and I think they saw the bigger picture; 3rd in the country is an incredible accolade and one they both fully deserve.”
A summary of the U12 results are as follows:-
Played 6, won 4, lost 2, goals for 14, goals against 9 = 3rd place
A summary of the U13 results are as follows:-
Played 6, won 5, lost 1 (on shuffles), goals for 12, goals against 3 = 3rd place
Well done to both teams!
HT
