HC Knole Park’s junior section was back in outdoor action once again this weekend in the England Hockey National Cup. Having qualified for the National Quarter Finals before Christmas there was much anticipation and excitement for these matches.
Both of Knole Park’s U16 girls’ sides played Surbiton HC in the Tier 1 and 2 Championships. The U16A Girls won 3-1 in a close and well fought contested match. Surbiton took the early lead, however a stunning equaliser from Lottie Bingham brought the scores level. Just before half-time Alessia Turner latched onto a rebound to give Knole Park a slender 2-1 lead going into the interval. In a dominant second half display Knole Park’s Phoebe Gough-Cooper netted from close range to extend the girls’ advantage and secured the team’s passage to the National Semi-Finals. The U16B Girls also took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break with goals from Elsa Taylor and Amy Wakeham-Dawson. However, Surbiton were clinical in the second half and scored three unanswered goals to win 4-2.
The U14A Girls played Wimbledon in their Cup quarter final. The girls took an early lead through an Evie Whitehead penalty corner strike. However, Wimbledon equalised and then took the lead soon after. Boadicea Cannon levelled the scoring to 2-2, only for Wimbledon to retake the lead from close range. Biba Mills netted just before half-time to make it 3-3 at the break. In a much improved second half Mills scored her second of the match, only for Wimbledon to now peg Knole Park back. In the dying moment Knole Park had a few chances to find a winner, but just couldn’t quite make the break through. The match had to be settled on penalties and goals from Cannon, Isla Johnson and Lilly Holmes ensured Knole Park U14A Girls were through to the National Semi Finals!
In the South-East League, Knole Park’s U14A Boys played Epsom HC. In a great match, goals from Iggy Muñoz and Harry Lewis made it 2-2, only for Epsom to steal a 3-2 win on the full-time whistle. Despite the defeat, the boys stay second in the league and have their National Quarter Final in the EH Plate to look forward to in a few weeks’ time. The U18A Girls also have their National Quarter Final in the EH Cup in a few weeks’ time.
HC Knole Park’s Women’s 1s continued their winning run with a 13-0 victory against Sevenoaks. Four goals from Ruth Bingham set Knole Park towards victory. A hat-trick from Jess Lewis and a brace from Amelie Allen, as well as goals from Amy Wakeham-Dawson, Polly Brownlow, Mackenzie Ward and Lucie Jones completed the scoring. In the EH Cup, Knole Park played London Edwardians and in a comprehensive performance won 3-0. Two outstanding finishes from Annabel Cheveley and a great team goal finished by captain Elloise Paler see Knole Park progress through to the next round to face the British Army!
Knole Park’s Women’s 2s played Burnt Ash. In a one-sided match Knole Park won 10-0. Alessia Turner and Boadicea Cannon both netted hat-tricks in the win. These wins keep Knole Park top of both their respective divisions.
HC Knole Park’s Men’s 1st team closed the gap between themselves in third and Sutton Valence in second with another fantastic performance. Goals from Adam Ward (2), Duncan Parnis, Moritz Hippe, Louis van den Rijse & Mack Copp sealed a superb 6-1 win.
This weekend, the Men’s 1st team host Marden Russets HC and the Women’s 1st team face Bromley and Beckenham. The Women’s 2s have received a walkover from second placed Tunbridge Wells.
