Hockey success
During the course of just one week the 1st XI and U16 teams both secured regional quarter-final places and the U14s booked their slot at the the regional semi-finals. A tremendous series of hockey fixtures for Eastbourne College girls. Brief reports below:
1st XI
The 1st XI had a slow start in the opening game of the regional heats scoring in the last minute against St Edward’s for a 1–1 draw – this proved very important. Having then beaten Peter Symonds’ College 6–0, the team knew that a result against Ardingly (who they had beaten in the Sussex Cup Final) would result in progression to the quarter finals. 1–0 down at half-time the girls changed their formation, rallied and won the game with style (3–1). Ardingly then drew 3–3 against St Edward’s, having been 3–0 up. This meant Eastbourne topped the group for a home quarter-final against King Edward’s VI, Southampton (KES). The next round will be played at the College Beresford pitches – date to be announced.
U16s
The U16s won two of their three group games to qualify for the regional quarter-finals. A comprehensive win was preceded by the only loss of the day against the national winners from last year, Cranleigh. Thanks to some last minute pitch changes it was a slow start but the team responded well and fought till the end going down 3–1. After a 7–0 win against Latymer a draw was all that was needed against KES. Thanks to goals from Amelia Baron and Issey Siggs, who had run 60 metres to be in the right place to push into an open goal, it meant a last minute consolation goal for KES was not enough and the U16s progressed to the next round. On the day Amelia Baron scored nine goals, seven of which she scored against Latymer, thanks to some excellent team play too. A superb achievement.
U14s
After a slightly sticky start, the U14s successfully qualified for the regional semi-finals. Having lost 4–1 to Surbiton High School they knew that had to play their best hockey to progress any further. They met Cranleigh next and played absolutely superbly to win 2–0. It all came down to their last game against Wycombe High School where the Eastbourne girls played with true grit and determination to win 3–0. They finished in second place overall and now progress to the regional semi-finals.
