Cranleigh’s U12A girls’ hockey team went to Ipswich School on Friday for the IAPS National Finals full of confidence on the back of some excellent performances and a victory at the recent Seaford College tournament. There were a few understandable nerves in the squad during the team breakfast, but also a lot of excitement and desire to get started.
The first game was against Bromsgrove Prep, a well respected hockey school and undoubtedly a tough opening fixture. Cranleigh got off to the perfect start with two quick goals by Grace H, continuing her excellent recent scoring run. This gave the girls an early advantage which they never looked like conceding and so it proved as they safely closed out the match 2-0.
The next two pool games were tight and nervy affairs against The Elms and Sandroyd, which both finished 1-1. A lesson learned that in these short 10 minute matches going 1-0 up was never a safe scoreline as an error or a quality piece of play would quickly wipe out any advantage. Grace again scored both goals to take her tournament tally to four.
In game four against Kings Hall, Sasha P scored after a lovely cross by Tallulah H and then followed it up with her second of the match from a PC. That second goal proved key as Kings Hall pulled one back, the last goal the girls would concede all day, but that’s how it stayed and a vital 3 points were secured.
The final two pool matches were more comfortable and the girls won them 3-1 against Chigwell Junior School with Grace scoring a fantastic hat-trick and 1-0 against a tenacious Twyford outfit with Grace again grabbing the winner. It really was a team effort with some quality passing throughout and assists in the midfield by Kyarra S, Charlotte B and Camilla B.
By topping Group B, Cranleigh would play Foremarke Hall, Repton’s Prep School and frequent recent national title winners. As expected it was an incredibly tight match and although the girls could have won it in normal time, it took a Golden Goal from Camilla to take the team into the semi final with a 1-0 victory. Lauren C and Sophie P-T were outstanding at the back and Lucy M had to make a vital save in the second half to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
The semi final against Holme Grange would prove to be a very frustrating affair as numerous chances went by and plenty of PCs were not taken. Cranleigh hit the post in the last minute and with the score at 0-0 another extra time period was played. Even with all the possession and chances, the girls could just not get that first goal and the match went to penalties. Holme Grange stood up to the pressure admirably and closed it out by scoring their first two shots and going into the final.
Even after this disappointing result the girls quickly picked themselves up as they were determined to fight for 3rd place and a bronze medal. With Sasha leading the team from the middle of the pitch, Cranleigh really did give everything in this game and it was great to see Tallulah pop up with the winner just before half time. With no further goals scored and 3rd place secured, it just meant a short wait for the presentations and nine happy girls collecting a well deserved medal.
Squad: Lucy M, Lauren C, Sophie P-T, Sasha P, Charlotte B, Kyarra S, Grace H, Camilla B and Tallulah H.
Goal Scorers: Grace H (8), Sasha P (2), Camilla B (1), Tallulah H (1)
Results: Played 9, Won 6, Drew 3, Lost 0, Scored 12, Conceded 3
| Game | Opposition | Score | Scorer |
| Pool Match | Bromsgrove Prep | 2-0 | Grace 2 |
| Pool Match | The Elms | 1-1 | Grace |
| Pool Match | Sandroyd | 1-1 | Grace |
| Pool Match | Kings Hall | 2-1 | Sasha 2 |
| Pool Match | Chigwell Junior | 3-0 | Grace 3 |
| Pool Match | Twyford | 1-0 | Grace |
| Quarter Final | Foremarke Hall | 1-0 | Camilla |
| Semi Final | Holme Grange | 0-0 (0-2 aps) | – |
| 3rd/4th Place | St Olave’s School | 1-0 | Tallulah |
