Hockey

GIRLS' GAMES

HOCKEY

1st, 2nd and 3rd XI

This year we played the Old Girls' match at the start of the season which proved far more successful and it was good to see them raising fifteen players for the occasion. Rachel Owen-Barnett, as 1st XI captain, characteristically made all the newcomers to the team feel quickly at ease and the resulting 2-0 win augured well for the season.

Our main problem this year was in having too many forwards; consequently some players found themselves having to adapt to new positions. We also had a new goalkeeper. Colette Humphreys had not-played in goal before, in fact had not played hockey before! She was persuaded what a good game it was and before her jaw dropped too much she had a helmet on and that was that! She improved with every game and her agility and eye for the ball meant she made many good saves throughout the season.

We first played York Sixth Form College and for reasons best known to ourselves played three 'thirds'. The girls thought the idea of two half-times and therefore two 'breathers' an excellent one, though the rather more subtle reason was for two team talks. Either way, the result was an encouraging draw which was pleasing considering the Sixth Form College's strength of club players.

Rachel Owen-Barnett and Danielle Powley were selected for the York and District Under 18 team, and both they and the team as a whole were in full spate against Tadcaster H.C. with Katy Ramskill scoring a fine hattrick. Lulled by this easy win they played a very liid-back first-half against Ackworth to find themselves a goal down at the break. They played a vasdy different second-half pulling back a goal but despite numerous shots ju st could not score the winner. In these first games Katy Pittman and Emma Combe were proving their tenacity in defence, not only tackling well, but also giving gooc passes upfield.

Memorable is the word which springs to mind for the match against Mount St. Mary's, although maybe not for the right reasons! After a coach journey with a half-hour queue on the Ml8 then a driver who insisted he knew which way to go on the Ml (but did not) we were running an hour late. So with players having changed on the coach (no comment) and a run down the path at Mount St. Mary's serving as a warm-up, we began. It was a hardhitting end-to-end game with a resulting 2-2 draw, though here I have to admit it was a shame I had to disallow two of our goals — whose side was I on? But as usual he team was in remarkably good spirit about the whole afternoon. Sadly though it was enough to finish off Rachel until November with glandular fever. So we had o think again.

The next week we travelled to Worksop to play on their astroturf pitch. The team gave an excellent performance with Rowena Smith and Katy Ramskill working hard in midfield. The 0-0 result gives no clue to the calibre of the game. After this Durham were outclassed. Nicky Orwell, now as central striker, gave a wonderful display of stickwork to score four of the five goals. Rather a dull afternoon for the defence though.

In the 1st XI Tournament we played extremely well to start with but then ran out of steam in the semi-finals. Likewise at Giggleswick it was rather a lack-lustre performance, although in the end we did well to come back from 0-2 down to equalise.

After half-term we beat Pocklington 2-0 with a good team effort; Danielle Powley playing particularly well in midfield, and Rowena Smith and Rachel Owen-Barnett's hard work rewarded with goals. Despite losing to St. John's College this was a well-contested match but the faster astroturf showed up a few gaps in defence. There were two drawn matches against Hymers and Barnard Castle but both were very good games. During the last week we suffered two losses, one against the Sixth Form College on a very boggy pitch and one against The Mount. Obviously it had been a week of too much celebration; a very successful hockey dinner and other House dinners were maybe the cause of many players looking distinctly jaded! But certainly the team has been a very pleasant one to coach — maybe just too nice in the game, sometimes lacking that bite which takes a team from drawing to winning

For the 2nd XI the season was a little delayed as their first two matches were cancelled by the opposition, unable to raise learns. When they did start they were obviously raring to go and won their opening three matches in style. There was strength on the forward line with Rosie Neave scoring four goals in these three games and Rachel Malster playing well on the left wing, as she did throughout the season. There was a hard game at Worksop where a goal was scored against them in the last few minutes, but a good effort nevertheless. It took some time to get the right combination in defence and they struggled a little when put under pressure, but Emma Pope made some good saves in goal and Pru Bundy played with determination and enthusiasm in midfield. Despite two losses towards half-term to Giggleswick and Bootham, they picked up again in the latter part of the term with some excellent wins against Pocklington, Hymers and The Mount. Helen Atkinson and Louise Hudson combined well in attack throughout the term.

The 3rd XI had just two games, against Durham and Bootharr. They won both and played with spirit.

My thanks to Rachel Owen-Barnett as captain, and Katy Pitt man for stepping in to take her place, and to Rosie Neave for captaining the 2nd XI. Also to all players in whatever team, it has been a good season. I have enjoyed taking the teams and judging by the matches the girls have enjoyed playing. That is what it is all about.

The following girls represented the 1st XI: H. Atkinson, P. Bennett*, F. Buchan*, P. Bundy, E. Combe*, C. Humphreys*, R. Malster, R. Ogden*, N. Orwell*. R. Owen-Barnett**, K. Pittman**, E. Pope, D. Powley**, K. Ramskill*, E. Sherbourne*, R. Smith**, J. Tetlow, J. Toms. * = Colours ** = re-awarded Colours

The Jackson-Pacey Trophy for the most improved player: Emma Combe.

The following girls represented the 2nd XI:

H. Atkinson, P. Bennett, P. Bundy, F. Buchan, S. Carter, L. Evans, C. Hook, L. Hudson, R. Malster, C. Neale, R. Neave, E. Pope, S. Richardson, N. Scrivens, J. Tetlow, J. Toms, M. Tyler-Childs.

The following girls represented the 3rd XI:

F. Alexander, L. Castle, C. Brassington, C. Davies, L. Ellerbeck, L. Evans, M. Hart, A. Newby, E. Pope, J. Ray, K. Richards, R. Weatherall, H. Williamson, A. Zimmermann.

Results — 1st XI:

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Old Peterites York Sixth Form College Tadcaster H.C. Ackworth Mount St. Mary's Worksop Durham 1st XI Tournament Giggleswick St. John's College Pocklington Queen Margaret's Hymers Barnard Castle Scarborough College York Sixth Form College The Mount

Results — 2nd XI: York Sixth Form College Ackworth The Manor Mount St. Mary's York College Worksop Queen Mary's Giggleswick Bootham 1st XI St. John's College Pocklington Queen Margaret's Hymers Scarborough College The Mount Home Home Home Home Away Away Home Away Away Away Home Home Home Home

Away Away

Home Home Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home Home Home Home Away

Home Home Won 2 -0 Drew 0—0 Won 5 -0 Drew 1—1 Drew 2—2 Drew 0—0 Won 5 -0 Semi-Finals Drew 2—2 Lost 0—2 Won 2—0 Cancelled Drew 1—1 Drew 1—1 Cancelled Lost 0—1 Lost 0—2

Cancelled Cancelled Won 2—1 Won 3 -0 Won 4—0 Lost 0—1 Won 1—0 Lost 0—1 Lost 0—1 Drew 0—0 Won 4—3 Cancelled Won 4 -1 Cancelled Won 3—0

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Results — 3rd XI: Durham 2nd XI Bootham 2nd XI Won 2—0 Won 1—0 P. Fletcher