On Sunday 23rd April, Sevenoaks HC arrived for the South East area final, and the U10 girls were ready for some tough competition. Whilst the parents were concerned about the players’ laid back attitudes, the girls showed them that fun and friendship are the key attributes to team success!
The squad have trained throughout the season and their lively attitude and abundance of energy has resulted in ups and downs at training. However, it has been utilised positively resulting in successes on the pitch when it really counted.
The girls knew they had a hard act to follow since last year’s U10 girls won the South East area final with conviction. This year’s squad started the tournament with three strong wins against East Grinstead, Eastbourne, and Old Georgians, with goals from Sophie, Charlotte S, Charlotte T, Lottie, Sadhbh and Betsy.
They lost to Knole Park in the group stages just as the final whistle blew. Tiredness and loss of structure on the pitch got the better of them against Woking and they lost 1-0 in a one-sided game.
Fortunately, a strong goal difference resulted in the girls making the final against local Kent team Knole Park. Having been beaten by them earlier in the day the Sevenoaks girls had absolutely nothing to lose.
It was an excellent display of hockey by both squads, and Sevenoaks fought hard passing the ball around the pitch creating lots of opportunities. Knole Park had many short corners which they were unlucky not to convert, however the Sevenoaks defence line, with Penelope in goal plus defenders Lexi, Sadhbh, Omaya, and Betsy, worked tirelessly to keep the short corners out.
Half way through the game, the match opened up as Penelope R passed a strong ball out of defence to Sadhbh who took on two players and slotted the ball to Charlotte T who was on the right-hand side of the D.
Charlotte calmly and confidently swept the ball into the back of the net giving Sevenoaks the 1-0 lead. Both teams battled away until the final whistle blew however Sevenoaks proudly took gold.
A superb season of hockey from all the Sevenoaks players! They have an exciting future ahead with the opportunity to tour to Belgium in September, after which they will join the very determined and talented U11 girls squad creating a strong squad for next season!
