Girls’ Hockey

Despite the restrictions and uncertainty surrounding school sport, it was fantastic for the girls to be able to play some inter-school fixtures and have some semblance of a hockey season.

Under the circumstances, the senior girls managed to enjoy a productive pre-season at school with two days of intense and high-quality training. What stood out in particular was the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by the girls as they were clearly delighted to be back on a hockey pitch. With some schools deciding not to play interschool fixtures, the whole programme was amended, and I was very pleased that we still managed to find schools were also willing to play, albeit with a reduced number of teams.

The first weekend saw the girls line up against Warminster School and with the emphasis on enjoyment and making the most of being out on the pitch together again, there were some fantastic team and individual performances.

The 1st XI were comprehensive winners as some very exciting attacking play resulted in some excellent goals being scored. The movement of Jasmine Spilsbury, Kitty Walker, Anya Evans and Georgina Woods in the front line was difficult for Warminster to deal with and the energy that Julia Schedl, Sophie Gould and Marcia Kennard showed from midfield was impossible for Warminster to compete with.

The U15As enjoyed a frustrating draw as they simply could not make their dominance count against a gritty and hardworking opposition. Despite the best efforts of Skyla Cannon, Honey Halperin and Mimi James, the ball simply would not go in and although Anouska Loveridge and Ellie Duval in the King's midfield controlled proceedings, it was a very scrappy affair.

Finally, playing in their first ever fixture for King's, the U14s enjoyed a comfortable victory as they demonstrated some of their huge potential. With so many exciting attacking options available through Lilah Bird, Harriet Vallings, Emily Weeks, Anna Ingvaldson and Araminta Wakelin and the solid defensive platform of Lucy Duval, Sophie Coverdale and Florence Wood, Warminster found it difficult to cope despite having some talented players of their own.

With the same three teams in action versus Marlborough College, in what was a very difficult fixture, there were some hugely encouraging performances.

The 1st XI battled their way to a 1-0 away victory with some excellent attacking play from Julia Schedl and Marcia Kennard whilst the defence of Davina Ellis, Millie Venner-Coombes, Isca Bird, Katie Wootton and captain Pip Venner-Coombes held firm and produced some outstanding last-ditch

Julia Schedl

Poppy Agabani Harriet Vallings & Araminta Wakelin

Marcia Kennard Sophie Coverdale

Emily Weeks

Equally the U15As showed outstanding fighting spirit to secure a 0-0 draw in a game either side could have won. Georgia McDade in the King's goal, alongside her defence of Jenna Coverdale, Rose Cobden, Ellie Grieve, Freya Cameron-Clarke and Ellie Williams.

The U14As faced very tough opposition but showed incredible determination to listen and improve, resulting in a very encouraging 5-2 loss. Some excellent goalkeeping from Alex Griffin was also a positive to take from the game, whilst Emma Sheldon, Bel Rundle and Ryanne Woods also demonstrated the progress they were making as they continue to adjust to senior school hockey.

Some midweek fixtures with Wells Cathedral saw the 1st XI defeat their talented side 1-0 with Liv Kunz at the heart of the defence controlling the game, whilst the U15As secured another 0-0 draw, whilst in a rematch later in the term, King's impressively won 3-2 courtesy of goals from Skyla Cannon (2) and Honey Halperin.

In their first match of the season the 2nd XI produced a fantastic performance to win 4-1, with Maya Wigram, Lily Ingvaldson, Natalie Wilmshurst and Charlotte Elway all impressing. In what ended up being the final fixture of the term, King's produced some very impressive performances against Millfield.

The 1st XI won 2-1 versus Millfield’s U16A team after two very well taken goals by Jasmine Spilsbury. The 2nd XI came unstuck as they lost 1-0, despite the best efforts of player of the match Lottie Rundle.

It was also great for ‘The Mighty 3rd XI’ to have their first run out of the season versus a ladies Yeovil and Sherborne Hockey Club side and although the result went in the favour of the visitors, it was fantastic for the girls to put some of their training into practice. Captain Imogen Dawe was

Finally, the U15As defeated Millfield U15Bs comfortably 4-0 whilst the U14A and U14B teams had difficult afternoons against strong opposition. However, in their first match the U14Bs showed outstanding work ethic and commitment with Winnie Dawes, Satine Miles, Hannah Motojima and Maisie Rees leading by example. Olivia Walker in the King's goal also had an excellent afternoon.

With inter-school fixtures not being allowed half term, I was hugely impressed with the way the girls embraced our ‘Crowns’ vs ‘Dolphins’ competition and it was fantastic to witness the competitive spirit which remained despite being restricted to playing internal fixtures only. As always, a huge thank you must go to the exceptional staff and all the girls for their unwavering enthusiasm and willingness to improve their hockey throughout the course of the season.

Girls’ U15A Davina Ellis