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| Hockey Under 13 Girls Team 'Blog' |
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Eagle House U13/12B V Dolphin at Wellington Wednesday 27th January Eagle House 1 Dolphin 2 Team: Jaya Baxter (GK/Capt); Alys Whitehead; Holly Rhodes; Heidi Barrow;Lana Milner; Jenny Edwards; Laura Neat
This turned out to be a most entertaining game on a cold afternoon. Initially our team was rather disconcerted to see how tall some of the opposition players were, as well as having 2 boys in their ranks. Nevertheless we started at a good pace but tended to lose hold of the ball whenever we got into their half. Dolphin did not make that mistake and took an early lead but thereafter the exchanges were very even. In fact we even enjoyed a territorial advantage but could not finish off our moves to get that all important score. The second half began much as the first half had and Dolphin soon had a two goal lead. As our players became more used to playing with each other, they gained in confidence and played some really good hockey. All the girls worked hard especially Holly on attack and Jenny (who was voted player of the match) on defence. She also enjoyed one great run almost the length of the field which nearly to what would have been a spectacular goal. Holly was rewarded for her hard work with a well scored goal and we pressed hard for the equaliser. We had two short corners in the last minute, but could not score the all important goal as Dolphin clung onto their lead in a frantic last two minutes. All credit to both teams for putting on such a good game and especially to our girls who showed great spirit and committment throughout this enjoyable encounter.
Eagle House U13A V Lord Wandsworth Wednesday 25th November Eagle House 2 Lord Wandsworth 6 The score belies what a great game this was between two talented sides. Although Eagle House had most of the play for most of the match. Unfortunately Lord Wandsworth scored some fantastic break-away goals. At half time Lord Wandsworth were in the lead 2 - 1 our goal scored by Ashleigh. After the break we came out fighting and Charlotte scored a great goal from a short corner within a couple of minutes to equalize. However Eagle House just couldn't keep up the pace and allowed Lord Wandsworth to score 4 more! Some great play from Eliza on the wing in the second half and from Charlotte and Kim throughout the match. Eagle House U13/12 v Marlston House (away)Wednesday 11th November Eagle House 3 Marlston House U13(C) 1(Barrows 3) Squad: Holly Rhodes (GK); Menna Braithwaite (Capt); Amaya Enriquez; Heidi Barrows; Catherine Allum; Lana Milner; Laura Neat; Lucinda Brooker A mix of Eagle House U13 and U12 girls played the Marlston House U13(C) team on the same muddy grass pitch as the U13As had just finished on. This team had only played together for the first time the day before in some practice matches v the other Eagle House teams and it was only Holly Rhodes second time wearing the kit and playing in goal. Marlston House started sharply and had an early shot which Holly managed to clear over the halfway line, which boosted everyone's confidence. Menna Braithwaite led the team well as Captain and was involved in nearly all of Eagle House's attacking play. Heidi Barrows, also playing up front for the first time, went close on a couple of occasions after excellent through balls from Menna had created good shooting opportunities. Finally the deadlock was broken when another long ball from Menna was picked up by Heidi and she finished smartly into the bottom right hand corner. We didn't have to wait long for a second goal as a strong tackle at the back from Amaya Enriquez resulted in the ball going forward via Laura Neat to Heidi. With time and space Heidi found the bottom corner with a fantastic shot, which gave their goalkeeper no chance and made the score 2-0. With only a few seconds left of the first half Marlston House had one last attack, which resulted in a goal as Holly's protective kicker fell off whilst in the process of trying to make a save!!!!! (Halftime score 2-1) However a fantastic second half performance from Eagle House, including a number of saves by Holly and strong tackles in defence by Catherine Allum, was finished off by a well deserved third goal. It was scored again by Heidi and completed a quality match winning hat-trick as Marlston House were unable to reply again. Final score 3-1.
Eagle House U13A v Marlston House (away)Wednesday 11th November Eagle House 0 Marlston House 6
Squad: Jaya Baxter (GK); Kim Brant (Capt); Charlotte Earwaker; Alex O'Donnell; Alys Whitehead; Romy Attias; Eliza Hamilton-Fairley; Ashleigh Bishop After the disappointing 2-4 loss v Lambrook Haileybury on Saturday the girls were determined to show that they could turn a good performance into goals and get back to winning ways. Unfortunately the sight of a muddy, heavy and bumpy grass pitch at Marlston House meant that they needed to adapt to the conditions and try and play a different style of hockey. Marlston House began strongly and dominated the first half with three unanswered goals through some smart and determined play, which showed a prowess on their home turf. Ashleigh Bishop, having her best match so far this year, was superb in defence and came to the team's aid on a number of important occasions to keep the score down. After half time Eagle House finally started to show their ability going forward and created a number of chances for Kim Brant, Charlotte Earwaker and Eliza Hamilton-Fairley, but these were all either missed or saved by the agile Marlston goalkeeper. A break away following an Eagle House attacking penalty corner allowed Marlston House to increase the score line to 0-4 and two further late goals made the final score 0-6.
Eagle House U13A v Lambrook Haileybury (away)Saturday 7th November Eagle House 2 Lambrook Haileybury 4(Earwaker, Brant) Squad: Jaya Baxter (GK); Kim Brant (Capt); Charlotte Earwaker; Alex O'Donnell; Holly Rhodes; Romy Attias; Eliza Hamilton-Fairley; Ashleigh Bishop Full-colours were awarded to Kim, Charlotte and Alex and half-colours to Ashleigh for their outstanding performances so far this term.
Eagle House U13A v Leighton Park (away)Wednesday 4th November Eagle House 4 Leighton Park 1(Earwaker, Brant 3) Squad: Jaya Baxter (GK); Kim Brant (Capt); Charlotte Earwaker; Alex O'Donnell; Alys Whitehead; Romy Attias; Eliza Hamilton-Fairley; Ashleigh Bishop The U13s travelled to Leighton Park on the back of two very positive training sessions after the half term break and were keen to continue their winning run. A solid if unspectacular start to the game meant that the half-time score remained at 0-0. There were few chances created although Kim Brant went close on a couple of occasions and Alys Whitehead provided some much needed energy on the right hand side. Leighton Park's goalkeeper was in fine form and it was becoming clear that it would take something special to beat her. It was something of a surprise then that within one minute of the restart Eagle House had taken a 2-0 lead through two goals from Kim . A quick start and excellent persistence from Romy Attias, who had three shots saved in a row which was followed up by Kim, made the vital difference. Charlotte Earwaker was having a bigger influence on the match now and it was no shock when she scored from a penalty corner, with a trademark strike into the bottom right hand corner, to extend the lead to 3-0 and effectively secure the win. Eagle House seemed to relax after the third goal went in and Leighton Park grabbed a consolation strike to make the score 3-1. Spurred into action, good work by Charlotte and Eliza Hamilton-Fairley gave Kim an opportunity to complete her hat-trick and make the final score a comfortable 4-1 victory to Eagle House.
Eagle House U13A v Pangbourne College (away)Wednesday 7th October Eagle House 6 Pangbourne College 5(Earwaker 3, Brant 2, Hamilton-Fairley) Squad: Jaya Baxter (GK); Kim Brant (Capt); Charlotte Earwaker; Alex O'Donnell; Alys Whitehead; Romy Attias; Eliza Hamilton-Fairley; Ashleigh Bishop After a positive start to the season against Dolphin School and a further weeks training, there was much to look forward to as the U13s travelled to Pangbourne College for their second hockey fixture. Unfortunately it was clear that the heavy rain had made the grass pitches unplayable so the sports hall became the venue of a hastily arranged indoor match. With a mixture of indoor and outdoor rules agree upon, the game began and it was soon clear that Eagle House were in for a tough contest. Pangbourne College came out of the blocks quickly and look the much stronger of the two sides. After five minutes Eagle House were already 0-2 down and struggling to find their way in the indoor hall and adapt to the reduced space. A goal from a penalty corner by Charlotte Earwaker reduced the deficit to 1-2, but it was Jaya Baxter in the Eagle House goal who was seeing more of the action. A penalty corner and a field goal from Pangbourne stretched their lead to 4-1 and the match was starting to slip away as Eagle House struggled to contain Pangbourne's attacking threat and intelligent use of the side boards. A goal from Kim Brant shortly before halftime gave hope as the sides went into the break. (Halftime score 2-4) The second half was a different story as Eagle House started brightly scoring two quick goals, again through Charlotte and Kim, to level the score at 4-4. The standard of Eagle House's passing and movement had improved dramatically and was now causing Pangbourne's defence some real problems. A goal from Eliza Hamilton-Fairley took Eagle House in front for the first time and a Pangbourne reply was quickly countered with another strike from Charlotte, to seal an impressive comeback victory against a strong Pangbourne side. Final result 6-5.
Eagle House U13A v Dolphin School (home)Wednesday 30th September Eagle House 10 Dolphin School 1(Earwaker 5, Brant 3, O'Donnell, Whitehead) Squad: Jaya Baxter (GK); Kim Brant (Capt); Charlotte Earwaker; Alex O'Donnell; Alys Whitehead; Romy Attias; Eliza Hamilton-Fairley; Ashleigh Bishop; Heidi Barrow; Holly Rhodes; Amaya Enriquez Eagle House U13s got their season of to a good start against an inexperienced Dolphin School side on the astro pitch at Wellington College. Three early goals by Charlotte Earwaker and a good strike from Kim Brant gave Eagle House a commanding 4-0 lead. Dolphin School continued to work hard and were led admirably by their centre half who created a number of half chances for her side, but Jaya Baxter, Alex O'Donnell and Ashleigh Bishop were never really troubled at the back. In fact it was Eagle House who pushed on to score three more times before the break through Kim again and a fine run and finish from deep by Alex. (Halftime score 7-0) With Eagle House in total command of the game it allowed the full squad to get onto the pitch and it was great to see Amaya Enriquez represent the school after only playing hockey for the first time two weeks before. It was another substitute who scored next as Alys Whitehead sneaked onto the back post to finish sharply and extend the lead to 8-0. Dolphin School hadn't given up and their better second half performance was rewarded with a deserved goal. However there was only going to be one result, which was confirmed with late goals by Charlotte and Kim, making the final score a convincing 10-1. |
