Hockey hits new Heights

Our Under 18s First XI Hockey became the most successful girls's team in the school's history by scooping fourth place at the Tier 4 National finals day, in early March

The girls journey to success began when they earned their place on finals day by coming second in the Under 18, Tier 4 South regional finals day in December in a four way ‘round robin’  also involving St Mary’s Ascot, Reading Blue Coat and Mill Hill schools

No team scored more than a single goal in three matches which were ‘very tight and intense’, according to Coach and Sports Teacher,  Ms Pip Mitchell. Harrodian scored early in their opener against St Mary’s and led throughout, only to concede an equaliser two minutes from the end. Then, they dominated against Reading but were beaten by a ‘sucker-punch’ breakaway goal.

According to team Captain, Amelia, as they lined up for their final match against Mill Hill, the girls were nervous but determined: ‘We knew we had to win to have any chance of getting to the Nationals,’ she says ‘So we wanted to play well and cut out mistakes’. A penalty stroke coolly converted by Poppy enabled Harrodian to take the lead. ‘Then,’ says Amelia, 'we kept possession well and defended strongly to see out the victory.’ Back in December Miss Mitchell was full of praise for the team. ‘They played with great skill and  commitment in the first two matches without enjoying the best of luck,’ she says. ‘So, to win their final game and get the second place required to make the finals needed cool heads and courage.’

The team built on its excellent form in midwinter fixtures. In their final match before the round-robin tournament, the team warmed up with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Streatham and Clapham High School, playing with the blend of energy, team spirit, level headedness and skill that had brought them success all season.Remarkably the first XI Hockey then survived a day of high drama and tension in the National Finals day at Reading to claim fourth place. The tournament brought together 10 teams from schools all over the country which were divided into two mini leagues with the winners of each qualifying for the final and the two runners up making the 3rd-4th play off match. Harrodian bounced back from a losing start against Wells Cathedral School to record a win against Barnard Castle and draws against Rugby and Parmiter, a record which took them to the 3rd-4th play off which they lost narrowly to Hymers College.

According to team captain, Amelia, the low-scoring nature of the games didn’t reflect the day’s excitement and tension. ‘What struck us was just how much better defences are at national level,’ she says. ‘It took us time to adjust to the idea we wouldn’t be scoring lots of goals and that we just needed to keep going.’

The girls’ progress in the tournament owed as much to their unity, energy and never-say-die spirit as it did to their hockey skills. Key late goals from central defender and short corner specialist Poppy, (described by Amelia as ‘our not-so-secret weapon’) rescued a draw against Parmiter and turned apparent stalemate against Barnard Castle into a crucial last-gasp 2-1 win.

Team Manager, Marcus Howard was impressed both by the team's resilience and their cool heads. 'The national finals marked a step up to one of the highest levels of school sport,' he says. 'And the whole squad took that step confidently in their stride.'  Miss Mitchell agrees  ‘We’re so proud of them,’  she says . ‘They’ve set a new benchmark for Harrodian hockey.’

Ben Proudfoot, Head of Harrodian Sport agrees. ‘We’re delighted our most senior hockey team has competed so well and performed with such grit and resilience in the Nationals,’ he says ‘They’ve established themselves as Harrodian's best ever hockey team and they – and their coaches – can be very proud of that.’