Neatherd High School: U12 Girls' Hockey Yesterday saw our Yr 7 Hockey players busy again as we took our turn to host the second of our mini tournaments against Northgate. As in the 'first leg' the girls were as enthusiastic as ever, and quickly settled in to playing a good standard of hockey for a relatively inexperienced in game playing group. Milly and Hannah were our goalkeepers for this event and each did themselves proud, particularly as neither had played this role before or had any practise!! As always their ability to 'get stuck in' and want the ball is a pleasure to watch, and although it wasn't always always pretty, it's not very often that the girls didn't come away with the ball when tackling their opponent! We tried to use the space available, more often than not we were first to the ball, we really tried to do the basics right. Elisha and Holly played out field this time and did a fabulous job. Elisha making some good runs with the ball and Holly making so many effective tackles, never giving up until she had won the ball! Ellie, once again, played with such determination and has such confidence on the ball, incredibly skilful. Jasmine, always in the right place at the right time, was unlucky not to score more goals. Katie B, Hannah C, Kiera and Bethany, doing exactly the right thing when required in defence and midfield, without having to be reminded. Kayleigh using her powerful hit to send the ball into space for her team mates to run onto, or accurately sending the ball to her forwards. In fact she scored a goal, but the silly ole umpire (that'll be me) was a bit whistle happy and blew for a short for a foot foul, just before she knocked the ball over the line (soz)! Goalscorers also included Ellie, Jasmine, Katie L and Molly. Lauren and Hannah C making their debut for school, really positive performances. Isla, sending some strong balls out from short corners. Lucy working relentlessly in midfield, defending and attacking when required. Neatherd squad: Ellie Ampleford, Jasmine Hudson, Elisha Smith, Holly Lloyd, Lauren Parkinson, Hannah Charmen, Molly Ashton, Milly Ogden, Kayleigh Munt, Katie Lockhart, Katie Bottomley, Hannah Reid, Isla Reid, Bethany Payton, Lucy Gedge and Kiera Stubbs. Northgate A just pipped us to 1st place this time, Neatherd A 2nd, Northgate B 3rd and Neatherd B 4th. (Both B teams in 3rd place on points but Northgate scored one more goal than us). A massive thank you to Georgia Winter and Jasmine Munt who kept score for, coached and encouraged a team each. Well done everyone!!