Yesterday, the 1st team hockey girls headed to St Mary’s Ascot for the Berkshire Hockey Tournament. Considering most of the girls have not played much hockey since the end of the season it was important to get into the groove quickly.
In the first group stage, the girls played against The Abbey, Downe House, Holme Grange, and LVS. They won 3 and drew 1 game, which came against Downe House, but the girls finished top of the group and gave themselves the best chance in the cup group stage. Cheam went onto face Dolphin and won 5-0 meaning that a win in the next game would be good enough to qualify for the semi-finals. The girls faced Elstree and went 1-0 down early on. However, the girls rallied around one another and clicked into gear scoring 3 unanswered goals to win 3-1.
Onto the semi-finals, where Cheam faced Eagle House. A tough game which ebbed and flowed, with Eagle House having a lot of possession and chances but Ophelia, who stepped in late to play in goal, made some vital saves to keep us in the game. Cheam managed to score 2 break away goals resulting in a 2-0 win and a place in the final where they faced Thorngrove.
Cheam took an early lead in the final, but Thorngrove came back and scored a late goal, meaning it ended 1-1. To penalty flicks it went with both teams scoring and both keepers making saves. After 3 flicks, the score was 2-2 so onto sudden death. Ophelia managed to make a vital save before Florence stepped up to win the shootout. Because the girls got into the final, it meant they qualify for the South England Finals in 2 weeks’ time. A superb achievement and onto the next tournament.
13 May 2024 
