On Thursday 22 November the U11 girl’s hockey team headed off to Lee Valley Stadium and the famous blue astro turf that is the home of England Hockey. After an early start, and scraping the first ice of the year off the cars and minibus, they arrived excited and eager to get on to the stadium pitch.
16 schools from all around the country were competing, so the girls knew that they had a tough schedule ahead. Split into four pools of four teams they played a round robin tournament within the pool. The pool matches took place in the morning and the girls played fantastically well not conceding a single goal. Unfortunately they were sadly unable to score one either, despite several good efforts going wide. After lunch, and a brief encounter with an old friend, Ollie Buncombe of WheelPower, and the opportunity to hold the Paralympic Torches, they headed off to the outside pitches to play in the Plate competition.
The first game was against Rosemead Prep School, they started well and followed advice meeting the ball well, pushing out wide to make some great attacking play into their attacking D but unfortunately they were not able to score and sadly conceded a goal on a fast break when Crescent’s defence where caught tracking the ball with no midfield players back in place to cover. 1-0 loss.
The second game against Abercorn School saw Crescent score their first goals of the tournament. There was some great passing through the midfield by Mia and Bexie, as well as use of defence by Lucy and Phoebe, allowing the girls to switch the ball and play it down the other side, where Olivia was positioned fantastically, in space, leaving her with a clear run in to the D where she was took a confident shot a goal to put Crescent in the lead. The second goal came from another lovely passage of passing and a good use of width by Mia who was able to run the ball into the D and safely hit it in to the back of the goal. 2-0 Win
Next was Oakfield Prep School and although we managed to maintain possession for most of the game the girls were unable to convert any of attacking play into goals. 0-0 Draw
The win against Abercorn School had put the team into the 3/4th play-off. Crescent faced Lewes Old Grammar again, who had gained their place in the match after penalty shuffles and sudden death. Unfortunately the wait to see who we were playing, dropping temperatures and fatigue from previous matches put the team on the back seat to a pumped up Lewes Grammar School and despite some fantastic passing and lovely play the girls went down 1-0.
The girls take away some fantastic memories after a wonderful day playing at such a prestigious venue. As always their behaviour, manners and conduct were second to none and they were a credit to both their school and their parents!
A great performance by all of the girls, representing the school well and upholding the Crescent values making us extremely proud.
Mrs McCollin and Mrs Dowling
Team – Captain Rebecca Monteith, Cara Ridd, Mia Webb, Olivia Monk, Lucy Hardy, Amelie Frere, Phoebe Causer and Amy Robinson.
