The stage was set at Nottingham for a weekend filled with intense competition and memorable performances, as the U16 Girls competed in the England Hockey Supra League National Finals, while the U18 Girls faced off against Teddington in the T1 Plate National Final, both showcasing the best of youth hockey talent.
Sevenoaks Hockey Club’s U16 Girls kicked off their campaign with a display of skill, and a dominant 5-0 victory over City of York, setting the tone for their performance over the weekend. In a nail-biting encounter against eventual champions Surbiton, the U16 Girls showcased their fighting spirit.
After two heated passes Sevenoaks dominated the game and held Surbiton to a 2-2 draw in a fiercely contested match.
The next day saw the girls up against Sutton Coldfield who tested their resolve resulting in a narrow 3-2 loss, but the girls bounced back with a 2-1 victory against home club Beeston, securing a well-deserved win to cap off their impressive campaign.
The U16 Girls’ journey at the National Finals saw them clinch a 5th place finish, as well as being the second highest scoring team behind tournament champions, Surbiton.
The U18’s journey to the final followed strong wins against Canterbury, Harleston Magpies, as well as a 600-mile round trip to Kirkby Stephen Hockey Club in Yorkshire.
In a very closely matched game, the U18 Girls played with skill, commitment and determination, right to the end. The Sevenoaks team started strong in the first half with constant pressure and possession, and very few chances at goal for both teams. Eventually, Sevenoaks’ pressure resulted in a goal, but it was disallowed, and then Teddington scored in the last minute of the half from a short corner.
Sevenoaks dominated the second half with numerous strikes on goal, including a narrow miss deflecting off the top bar. Cards were given to Teddington players reducing their squad to nine, but Sevenoaks were unable to benefit from the advantage as Teddington’s experienced goalkeeper thwarted every attempt on goal. The game ended on a controversial short corner decision, and Teddington claimed first place.
Both teams demonstrated immense talent, sportsmanship, and dedication throughout their journey to the National Finals and their performances were testament to the hard work and commitment put in throughout the season. Sevenoaks Hockey Club extend their thanks thanks to coaches Maddie Moore (U18 Girls) and Alex Salmon (U16 Girls), as well as the numerous supporters who travelled to Nottingham for the matches.
