Senior Girls Hockey League Final Report
The Senior Girls’ Hockey Team reached their League and Trophy finals this season; an achievement that last happened in 2016.
The League final was played on Monday, 3rd of March in the Three Rock Rovers hockey club. The team was buoyed by defeating their opponents, Newpark Comprehensive School, 4-0 in a previous league encounter. The coaching staff made it clear that there should be no complacency as finals have a knack of upturning form.
The warm, clear, sunny day combined with two supportive and positive sets of supporters set the scene.
From the start, the St. Columba’s side strung flurries of coordinated passing movements together but could not make the circle entries and score the goal their possession warranted. In saying that, Newpark defended their circle tenaciously and a couple of speedy forwards posed a constant counterattacking threat.
This pattern continued throughout the second half when short-range opportunities on the left-hand post were not seized. In the final minute, Newpark won a corner, which our goalkeeper AJ Ediale calmly dealt with.
The 0-0 draw took the game into five one-on-one shootouts. AJ Ediale saved Newpark’s first three attempts, closing down their attackers quickly and agilely, staying on her feet. St.Columba’s first attempt was efficiently scored by Polly Pringle, but that encouraging start faltered. We did not score another, while Newpark scored their final two, meaning they took the league title.
The final result was disappointing as we knew we had let the game get away from us. However, the match was played in an excellent spirit and both team Captains congratulated each other’s sides for that in their acceptance speeches. We can be sure that Holly Murray and her team will do their utmost to reverse this result in next Monday’s Trophy final; it may well be against the same opposition. (Playing their semi-final tomorrow).
(N.Bradley-Brady, O.Cowan, AJ.Ediale, A.Genetzke, T.Larke, F.Lodewijk, M.Mann, A.McCoole, C.Mellenthin, H.Murray (Capt), C.Penwill, R.Pollock, S.Pollock, P.Pringle, S.Walker, P.Wiesner, )
