Tag Archives: girls’ hockey

Girls’ First XI Hockey v Embley Park

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

On Wednesday the girls’ first XI travelled to Embley Park School and played an adapted format game (four quarters as opposed to two halves), which provide a lovely opportunity to rotate a number of positions.

The first quarter involved both sides turning over possession on a regular basis but it was the Bedales side who held most of the attacking territory. A calm finish from Mathilda Douglas after a well worked team move and another goal from a short corner drag flick from Alisia Leach put the Bedales side 2-0 up going in to the first interval. The second quarter saw a ramp up in intensity and better retention of the ball from Bedales, with Mathilda Douglas adding to her tally. The third quarter was probably the stand out for Bedales in terms of attacking possession – the Bedales side attacked at speed and were efficient in front of goal. Kamaya Nelson Clayton picking up a hat-trick inside 15 minutes. The final quarter saw Embley rally and put together some powerful drives in to the circle, deservedly winning a number of penalty corners. However, Bedales captain Esther Stewart, Shanklin Mackillop-Hall and goalkeeper Matilda Gellatly were on hand to keep Embley at bay.
 
A special mention must go to Sammy Smith, who had arguably her strongest game of the season and deservedly picked up player of the match. An enjoyable game and good preparation as the side head to Abingdon next week for the South Central regional finals.

Match report: Girls’ Second XI Hockey v Alton School

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

The late Wednesday afternoon fixture saw the girls’ second XI back in action. The opposition was a strong Alton side who had the majority of the attacking play in the first half. However, they were kept at bay for long periods due to the goalkeeping of Tilda Gellatly, who had shown incredible commitment to the Bedales hockey programme by playing for the first XI in the afternoon before travelling back to fill a slot in the second XI, which was wonderful to see.

Alton were deservedly 2-0 up at half-time but a positive team talk and approach in the second half saw the Bedales side come out fighting. Forward running from Sage Bidwell and Izzy Land always meant that the Bedales side had an attacking threat; they were ably supported by the impressive Ava Sender Logan alongside the hard-working and influential Katie Mansbridge and Lula Goldring. 

Despite the best efforts of full back Maya Cressman, the Alton side ran in three late goals to finish 5-0 winners, a score not fully reflective of just how close the game had been. A really valuable game in terms of development for the team and plenty to take into next week’s game.

Girls’ First XI Hockey in the Hampshire Hockey U18 Trophy Tournament

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

On Wednesday, the incredibly committed girls’ first XI hockey team travelled to Southampton Sports Centre to take part in the Hampshire Hockey U18 Trophy Tournament. After a sporadic two years of hockey, this was always going to be a tough ask, both physically and mentally. Things got off to a tough start as the Bedales side faced a direct and powerful KES Southampton side and were unfortunate to lose the influential Alisia Leach when a rogue lifted ball struck her ankle. The first game ended in a 2-0 loss for Bedales.

It is, however, a huge testament to this side that they regrouped. Alisia returned to play through injury and the team were determined to bounce back, Ruby Cole sparking some inspiration with her tough tackling, timely interceptions and accuracy when building an attack. The next two games followed very similar patterns: a lot of attacking possession but not enough finesse in the final third and opposition always a threat on the counter attack. However, this was consistently dealt with by full backs Shanklin Mackillop-Hall (fresh from completing her Gold DofE) and captain Esther Stewart striking the right balance of being calm in possession and combative when looking to win tackles and make interceptions and an emergence of Gala Pearson winning a lot of ball high up the pitch. This resulted in two 1-0 victories and put the Bedales side back in chance of coming in the top two places.

The fourth game was a 1-1- draw in a competitive and enthralling game vs Lord Wandsworth College B. Confidence was now flowing through the Bedales side, with Rebekah Leach pulling the strings from centre half and Leela Walton dominating in possession.

The final game vs Peter Symonds’ second XI was by far the best performance. The deadlock was broken from a deflected short corner strike that was brought down neatly by Rebekah and calmly slotted home and this was followed up with a thoroughly deserved hat-trick for the ever threatening Mathilda Douglas, who was assisted greatly by the driving forward runs of Sasha Arney and unbelievable work rate jumping back and winning the ball from Kamaya Nelson Clayton.

The side have now qualified to go through to the regional rounds in November. This is only the second time ever that a Bedales side has reached this level and the team should be incredibly proud of themselves.

Match report: First/Second XI Girls’ Hockey v Gordon’s School

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

On Wednesday afternoon, we were both pleased and excited to host Gordon’s School for a first and second team girls’ hockey fixture. This was the first time the two schools had met, but knowing the calibre of Gordon’s, we knew we would be in for an incredibly tough two games.

In the first team match, Gordon’s came out blazing, going 1-0 up with an excellent reverse stick finish inside the first five minutes and within 15 minutes a slightly shell-shocked Bedales side found themselves 4-0 down. However, slowly but surely, the Bedales side picked up the pace of the game and started to earn more possession, increasing their pattern of passes and attacking threat, much of which was implemented by the impressive Alisia Leach.

Credit to the Gordon’s side who continued to move the ball round well in the second half and were a constant threat going forward. The scoreline could have been vastly different if it weren’t for the numerous tackles and interceptions made by centre half Rebekah Leach and the two full backs, Esther Stewart and Shanklin Mackillop-Hall. Towards the end of the second half, the Bedales side earned themselves a consolation goal – the hard-working Sasha Arney, chasing down a ‘lost cause’ to bravely bundle the ball over the line following a freak deflection off the post. Fantastic game against a quality opposition.

The second XI game was a much closer affair, with the Bedales team the more threatening in the first half, mainly down to the incredible stick skills of Anna Tasker at left forward and the incredibly impressive Sage Bidwell at right forward. At half-time, Bedales were 2-0 to the good, with a debut goal for Issy Robinson and a calm finish from Kamaya Nelson-Clayton, following a fantastic drive to the baseline from Sage.

The second half was a different story as the Gordon’s side shut down many of our attacking outlets and gained more and more sustained possession in and around our defensive circle. Goalkeeper Rosie Voyantzis and the full back pairing of Lally Arengo-Jones and Maya Cressman were all incredibly impressive but couldn’t stop a strong comeback from Gordon’s, who ended up winning 3-2.
 
A fantastic afternoon of hockey.

Match report: 6.1 Girls v Boys Hockey

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

Last Thursday, the 6.1 girls played against the 6.1 boys in what has now become an annual fixture for this cohort, having originated in Block 3.

Having won the last three years, the boys approached the game with confidence, possibly neglecting some valuable preparation time and were caught on the hop as the girls came flying out the blocks. Goalkeeper Patrick Bell and the central defensive pairing of Bade George-Coker and Archie Tier were the saviours for the boys’ team. However, with relentless attacking pressure from the girls – in particular Alisia Leach, Sasha Arney and Mathilda Douglas – it was only a matter of time before the deadlock was broken, with Alisia flicking in a low, powerful shot from a short corner to the delight of a partisan crowd.

An inspirational half-time team talk from the managerial team of Joseph Thanki and Harry Hornsby saw the boys’ team start the second half with renewed vigour. Despite this, and the skilful, quick attacking exploits of Paddy Arrowsmith, Joe Withers and Jamie King, the girls remained resolute, with Esther Stewart and Shanklin Mackillop-Hall, as ever, providing a calming influence at the back. As the boys’ fitness levels began to drop the girls’ side came into the game more and more. Increasing influence from Gala Pearson and Fleur Donovan ensured the girls side retained more attacking possession. Despite one last breakaway attempt from the influential Cosmo Hurwitz, the girls’ team held their nerve to emerge victorious.

Once again a really enjoyable game. Bring on the final game in 6.2…!

Match report: First XI v ‘All-Stars’ girls’ hockey

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

On Wednesday, the much anticipated hockey fixture between the first XI and ‘all-stars’ took place. The all-stars squad was made up of a number of the top performers across Blocks 3, 4 and 5, and was assembled to deliberately challenge a talented and hard-working first team.

As anticipated, the first team came out firing on all cylinders and looking to take advantage of the new look opposition, who were trying to find their feet. However, the all-stars managed to survive the initial onslaught, much owed to England trialist goalkeeper Josh Baty, who had kindly stepped in to fill that position to ramp the game up another notch. Despite the bulk of the attacking possession falling to the first team it was the all-stars who took the lead, through a fine individual goal from Kamaya Nelson-Clayton.

As the game progressed, Rebekah Leach began to have more and more influence for the all-stars, winning numerous tackles, interceptions and displaying an excellent range of passing. The final 10 minutes of the half saw a thoroughly entertaining battle between Rebekah and her equally impressive sister Alisia, who was driving the first team forward. However, no more goals were added and the first team went in 1-0 down.

The second half saw a further ramp up in intensity from the first team, driven by the tireless Mathilda Douglas, who was constant threat. But 15 minutes in and the all-stars defence had stood firm: with Block 3 Eliza Hayward in outstanding form. The all-stars team were now reduced to breakaways and counter-attacks but with the skilful Clara Stannah and pacey Rosy Riley they were always a threat.

However, a mature and calm approach from Esther Stewart and Shanklin Mackillop-Hall ensured nothing came from these breakaways and this calmness began to spread through the first team, firstly,with Gala Pearson cooly converting the equalizer after a melee in the D and then finally with Mathilda Douglas drilling home a deserved goal for her and a deserved winner for the first team. The final result was 2-1 in a competitive and enjoyable fixture. I am sure there will be calls for a replay (and hopefully so!)

Match report: Block 3 v Block 4 girls’ hockey

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

Wednesday afternoon saw the rematch of the Block 3 v Block 4 Hockey match. With both teams making improvements as the season has progressed, it was incredibly pleasing to see them transfer these in to a match scenario.

The game started at a great pace and huge credit to both teams who managed to maintain this pace for the duration of the match, highlighting not only their fitness levels but increasing technical ability. There was very little to choose between the two sides and it was deep in to the second half before the deadlock was eventually broken as Ottilie Douglas managed to sneak a goal past the incredibly impressive debutante goalkeeper, Mila Lloyd-Stevens, to put the Block 4 team 1-0 up.

The Block 3 side were always a threat going forward with the skilful Clara Stannah consistently linking with the impressive forward running trio of Evie Donovan, Rosy Riley and Lucy Standish. However, the Block 4 side remained defensively strong, much of this owed to the work of Greta Stillwell, who made an impressive dash from an appointment to make the game in time and Rebekah Leach, who alongside her excellent work rate, stood out for her composure on her ball.

There was one final piece of goalmouth action as the Block 4 side converted a final minute penalty corner to win the game 2-0.

Match report: 6.1 v Block 5 girls’ hockey

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

Wednesday saw another round of internal hockey fixtures and the first game of the season ‘under the lights’. Both the Block 5 and 6.1 teams had been particularly impressive in training over the last week or so, but it was the 6.1 team who burst out of the blocks with centre forward Mathilda Douglas looking particularly threatening, putting her team 2-0 up within the opening 10 minutes. A high press from the 6.1s ensured constant attacking pressure and a cool finish from Fleur Donovan, followed by a completion of a first half hat trick from Mathilda, led the 6.1s into the break 4-0 to the good.

The game was in danger of running away from the Block 5s, but a re-group at half time saw a much improved performance and it was the Block 5s who opened the scoring, through the ever dangerous Kamaya Nelson-Clayton. Despite constant attacking pressure from the 6.1s the Block 5 side stood firm with some excellent tackling from Ava Sender Logan and always posing a threat on the counter attack from Zoe Lobbenberg and Kamaya. As the game developed we saw more and more of the increasingly impressive Lally Arengo-Jones and captain, Leela Walton.

Despite the improved performance from the Block 5s the 6.1 team deservedly scored again, once again a fantastically calm finish from Fleur.

The Block 5s are in action again next week versus the Block 4s. The 6.1s will have to wait a couple of weeks before they take on the ‘all-star’ team.

Girls’ First XI Hockey v Christ’s Hospital, 20.11.2019

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By Mariela Walton, Teacher for Girls’ PE & Games

This week, the girls’ first XI travelled to Christ’s Hospital for the final game of the season. Arriving with only ten players, we knew we were already on the back foot. After a quick warm-up, the game got underway. It was clear from the outset that Christ’s Hospital were a strong side, and their attack down the right was extremely threatening.

Despite some excellent defending from Hannah Mazas and Bella Doyle, Christ’s Hospital managed to get the first goal, with an outstanding shot from the top of the D. Bedales worked exceptionally hard for the first half; Alisia Leach was excellent, and she controlled the play in the centre of the pitch, and her relentless defence distributed the ball brilliantly. However, time was against us, and we finished the first half 1-0 down.

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U16 Girls’ Hockey v Christ’s Hospital, 20.11.2019

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By Kevin Boniface, Head of Hockey

On 20 November, the girls’ U16 hockey team travelled away to play Christ’s Hospital. The first half was a very one-sided affair, with Christ’s Hospital dominating the attacking possession and only the occasional individual run from Nell Freeborough providing any respite for the Bedales defence.

However, at half time, Bedales were very much still in the game, finding themselves only 1-0 down thanks to some fantastic saves from goalkeeper Tilda Gellatly and some last ditch tackles and interceptions from Emma Nelson and Shanklin Mackillop-Hall.

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