The U14 and U16 sides created BGS hockey history by qualifying for the Investec National Schools Championships for Girls Finals play-offs.

Two BGS teams have never reached this stage of the competition in the same year, with the U14s and U16s just one step away from the National Finals at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

The two sides achieved this feat after coming through the East Regional Finals at Redbridge Sports and Leisure Centre, east London, on Tuesday (22nd November).

The U14s made the perfect start by beating Sevenoaks School 2-1, which was followed by a 3-0 triumph over New Hall School. A narrow 3-2 defeat to Norwich School left BGS second in their group, resulting in a play-off tie against one of the other regional runners-up in January.

The U16s also earned a play-off tie, as they ended the day in east London on a high note. After a 1-1 draw with Framlingham College and a 2-1 defeat to the Leys School, BGS required a win in their final match to avoid elimination. The girls kept their cool to register a 1-0 win over Felsted School.

Mr Mason-Mcleod, Head of Hockey at BGS, said: “To have two teams qualify for the National Finals play-offs for the first time is a brilliant achievement.

“Both teams produced some outstanding hockey throughout the day, with the U16s showing immense character to bounce back and win their last fixture of the day – knowing any other result would have meant elimination from the competition.”

BGS also tasted success in netball on Monday (21st November), winning the U13 North Bedfordshire District title.

The U13As coped the best in the torrential rain, conceding just one goal in five pool matches.

The girls then won their semi-final 8-0, followed by a 6-1 win in the final against Lincroft Middle School.