Mrs Howlett (Deputy Head of Sport)

The U13 hockey team have been on a long but magnificent journey that first started back in September. They have been competing in the prestigious Independent Schools Hockey Cup, a knock-out competition that sees the top-hockey playing schools compete for the title of National Champions.

Having beaten a number of talented schools on route, BGS earned themselves a well-deserved place at the semi-final and finals day last Thursday. Drawn against last year’s winners and the defending National Champions, Reigate Grammar School, it was going to be a tough match. We could not have asked for a better start to the match earning a 2-0 lead early in the first half. The game was end-to-end and Reigate showed great resilience levelling it up at 2-2. 

We went goal for goal with each other but in the second half, we were always chasing and simply ran out of time at 5-4 down to get the equaliser. However, we could not be too downhearted because the performance was one of passion and determination.

A top two spot was now beyond us, attention now focused on a third place finish from the 3rd/4th playoff.  We were up against Royal Grammar School, Newcastle. Having initially gone down by two goals the team drew back to level, 2-2. This should have been our springboard to push on and take the lead but the girls could not capitalise from any possession to score.  They were caught by two breakaway goals that gave a final score of 2-4. 

It would have been easy to leave disappointed on the day but to finish fourth nationally in such a well-respected competition is no mean feat. The girls were an absolute credit to the school and have been a delight to coach all season. This tournament saw the end of their seven-aside hockey as next year they embark on the new and exciting challenge of 11 aside matches.  It will be great to see all the hockey players in Year 8 develop through this transition period and I look forward to supporting any future successes that may come their way.