Hockey

GIRLS' GAMES

HOCKEY 1st and 2nd XI

This has been a very successful season for the 1st XI, but more important than that they have enjoyed their hockey, playing the game in a friendly yet competitive spirit.

Early on in the term four girls were selected for the York Area Under 18 Squad. These were Sophie Jackson, Angela Rosindale, Julia Thompson and Nic Westwood — a commendable achievement which proved to be a very worthwhile experience for the girls concerned; however, towards the end of term this commitment, plus school matches, demanded much of them.

The team had a run of wins which carried on, interrupted by only one draw, until the 13th(!) match. This success was triggered in the second game of the season where the girls had a good win against Leeds High School, and it was immediately evident that Sophie Jackson's workrate, skill and captaincy were going to be the deciding factors in many close games. Perhaps the best win of the first half term was over York Sixth Form College, a strong team against whom we played intelligent hockey, making good use of our wings Emma Ward and Angela Rosindale, which countered the Sixth Form College's domination of the centre of the pitch. Up to this time the good weather had contributed to the high standard of skilled hockey played by the side. However, against Giggleswick the wind almost took over, but with the defence showing characteristic determination, allied to Nic Westwood's strength in attack, both conditions and opposition were overcome.

With a good team it was perhaps disappointing that they made a comparatively poor showing in the 1st XI Tournament. However, on reflection the team tended to be slow and methodical in build-up and short tournament games were not their forte. After endless 0-0 draws they scraped into the semi-finals where they lost by a penalty corner to Queen Margaret's, the eventual winners. Anne Suttill made some excellent saves in goal, and continued to play consistently well throughout the term.

After half term there were some more good wins, notably those against Mount St. Mary's and Ackworth. Only towards the end of term did the momentum run out. Away at Worksop a jaded team gave a lack-lustre performance and the resulting loss was no surprise. On their heavier pitch our lack of power, especially in hitting, was very noticeable. Indeed the team were to make hard work of the last few games of term. Fortunately a good result at the beginning of December against Barnard Castle revived the spirits, so it was a shame to play against a strong Scarborough College with a below strength team. Despite losing, Connelee Morris and Louisa Sans played with determination, as they had done from the start of the season.

Under the captaincy of Melanie Gibb the 2nd XI had a good term, winning half of their matches. At times it was difficult to give as many players as possible a game while retaining a nucleus of players to give the team stability. The first two games of the season were high scoring wins over Manor and Fyling Hall — in both Sarah Durham was very strong in attack. They continued undefeated until the middle of the season when the team suffered a 0—5 loss against Mount St. Mary's. Here they failed to concentrate under pressure and silly mistakes crept into their play. Losses by one goal against Hymers and Worksop were close games which could have gone either way. On the plus side there were two convincing wins against Durham and Queen Mary's, Baldersby Park where they showed some good teamwork. Particularly towards the end of term Eleanor Bowling displayed promising stickwork in attack; Laura Clark, Emily Strong and Pippa Smith played well in defence throughout the term.

Many thanks are due to the groundstaff for the superb condition of the pitches; this has a great bearing on the type of hockey played and adds enormously to the enjoyment of the game.

P. Fletcher

The following represented the 1st XI:

E. Bowling, L. Clark, C. Cooper, S. Durham, S. Jackson*, C. Morris*, S. Musgrave, S. Pitt, I. Pollard, A. Rosindale*, H. Sans, L. Sans*, P. Smith, A. Suttill*, J. Thompson*, C. Walker, E. Ward*, J. Webster, N. Westwood*.

* Colours

Caps awarded for excellent play to Sophie Jackson. The Jackson-Pacey Cup for most improved player to Julia Thompson.

The following represented the 2nd XI:

E. Bowling, L. Clark, E. Copley, S. Durham, J. Ensor, C. Farrow, M. Gibb, C. Lawson, C. Malster, S. Pitt, R. Robertson, V. Robinson, S. Sanderson, H. Sans, L. Sans, D. Smith, E. Strong, G. Taylor, S. Tilston, C. Walker, J. Webster, S. Williamson, D. Wooding.

Results 1st XI

Tadcaster H.C. Home Won 1—0 Leeds High School Away Won 2—0 Fyling Hall Home Won 5 -0 York Sixth Form College Home Won 1—0 Giggleswick Home Won 3—2 Under 18 Tournament Away Semi-finalists Pocklington Home Won 2—1 St. Aidan's Away Drew 1 — 1 Queen Margaret's 2nd XI Home Won 3—0

Bootham Home Won 3—0 Mount St. Mary's Away Won 2—1 Ackworth Away Won 1—0 Tadcaster H.C. Away Won 3—1 Worksop Away Lost 0—3 Durham Home Drew 1—1 Barnard Castle Home Won 3—1 Scarborough College Home Lost 0—3 Retiring Captain's XI Home Lost 0—2

Results 2nd XI

Manor Home Won 3—0 Fyling Hall Home Won 5—0 York Sixth Form College Home Won 3—2 Giggleswick Home Drew 2—2 Queen Margaret's 3rd XI Home Won 3—0 Mount St. Mary's Home Lost 0—5 Queen Mary's Home Won 3—1 Ackworth Away Lost 0—3 Hymers Home Lost 0—1 Worksop Away Lost 0—1 Durham Home Won 3—1 Scarborough College Home Lost 0—3

Results:

v Giggleswick v Manor v Queen Margaret's v Bootham v Mount St. Mary's v Queen Mary's v Ackworth v Hymers College v Worksop College v The Mount v Fyling Hall v Scarborough College Away 5—2 Home 0—7 Away 1—3 Home 3—0 Away 0—0 Home 2—0 Away Home 1—1 3—0 Away 0—3 Away 1—1 Away 2—3 Away 0—3 Won Lost Lost Won Drawn Won Drawn Won Lost Drawn Lost Lost

The following represented the team:

C. Alton, R. Gill, R. Gilbert, A. Mulryne, K. Walsh, P. Whiting, J. Swallow, K. Charman, H. Clark, L. Francis, S. Marshall, E. Metcalfe, C. Taylor, C. Tong, S. Richards.

W. M. Shepherd

U.14

U.15 XI

The U.15 XI had an unfortunate start to the season with the first two fixtures against Leeds Girls High School and St. Aidan's both cancelled. This meant that the first match was not until October 6th, when they had a fine 5-2 win over Giggleswick. This was followed by a 0-7 defeat by Manor School who had an excellent team with strong hitters. Although we tackled well the passing was slow and of insufficient depth. Heidi Clark scored the goal in the 1-3 defeat by Queen Margaret's. By this stage of the season the girls had started to play as a team and provide more support for each other whilst defending. The hitting was still not good, but improving as was general confidence. The game against Mount St. Mary's was very good with everyone" giving 100% in a well-contested match. A draw was a fair result although there were many near misses at the goal. A combined U.15/U.14 team played the Hymers U.15 team and Rachel Owen-Barnett scored a well-executed goal. The team were outclassed by Worksop who scored all three goals in the first half. The journey seemed to send many of our players to sleep although there was a big improvement in the second half! The next two matches against The Mount and Fyling Hall were played on very bumpy pitches — a great leveller as we mostly had the ball in our attacking half on both occasions.

The general standard of play improved greatly during the season, especially the accuracy of the hitting. The middle link players of Ann Mulryne, Kathryn Charman and Penny Whiting did a particularly good job, as they were often under a lot of pressure.

The U.14 hockey team began the season with an excellent 3-2 win over Leeds Girls' High School. Lisa Thompson, a new player to the forward line, scored all three goals, a job made easier for her because of the welltimed forward passes into the circle by the rest of the forwards (notably Rachel Owen-Barnett).

Unfortunately the next match against St. Aidan's was played on a 'redgra' surface, something our girls are completely unfamiliar with. The team found it very difficult to adapt their game. Consequently their hitting and tackling let them down badly resulting in an 8-0 defeat.

A deflated U.14 team lost their following two games against Manor and Queen Margaret's. It has to be said, however, that after being 4-0 down in their match against Manor, they fought back brilliantly, playing some excellent attacking hockey, and pulled back to 4-2. They could well have earned themselves a draw in this match, but for some "off target" shots on goal.

The girls seemed to pull together and really play as a team in their next three matches. The defence was solid. Some sound hitting and tackling by Hannah Fieldsend and Cathy Dixon at the back meant that Daniella Lipman had very little to do in goal. The halves particularly showed their expertise in these matches; always there for a tackle when needed, and almost always in the right position to support the forward line and feed the ball through to them. Because of this fine team work, the forwards were able to score goals, resulting in a 3-0 win over Bootham, a 6-2 win over Mount St. Mary's, and a 3-0 win over Hymers.

Despite these fine wins, the U. 14's lost their last three matches, which lacked the positive team work we had seen previously. The defence in these matches was put under pressure by strong attacking opposition.