Aluredian
61
T
he 2008 hockey season
proved to be one of the most
exciting seasons of recent
years, but only after
recovering from a rather shaky
start early on. We only
managed to win one of our first three matches,
losing two games we should really have won.
This proved the turning point in the season as
our key players, ably led by Tori Canning and
Louise Webber, rose to the challenge and
started to achieve the high standards we set
ourselves at the beginning of the season.
We started to find our form against Exeter
School, with a comfortable 4-1 victory, and
followed this up a day later beating Queen's
3-1. Hattie Cunningham dominated play from
her position as sweeper and this created many
goalscoring opportunities for Laura Smith and
Rebecca Potter up front.
In the County Cup, we played some
magnificent hockey to reach the semi-final and
successfully beat Taunton School, thanks to
some outstanding saves in goal from Hannah
Cartwright, and we finished as deserved
runners-up in the final to Millfield. Travelling
away to a very strong Canford side once again
brought out the best in us. Character and
excellent defence kept us in the game as they
took an early lead, only for Olivia Taylor to
equalise just before half-time. Determined
work by Heather McKenzie and Emma ClydeSmith
and a superb work ethic from the whole
team ensured a thoroughly well-deserved draw.
Our mid-season tour to Barbados was an
unforgettable experience. On the pitch we
dominated every team we played against.
All five of the hockey games were won, a total
of 16 goals scored without a single goal
conceded all week! It certainly increased the
unity within the squad and running around in
the heat also improved our fitness significantly.
Laura Smith had an outstanding tour, but every
player involved contributed to its success.
Back in the freezing temperatures of the UK,
we managed to dominate Sherborne Girls
thanks to some excellent build-up play from
Charis Elphinstone and Alex McKean, and a
superb strike by Laura Smith saw us to an
impressive 5-2 win. Jodie Burrows and Holly
Domellof also put in strong performances.
After two tightly contested matches against
Blundell's and Bryanston we finished our
season by beating West Somerset - a fitting
and very pleasing way to end an excellent
season, and for Tori Canning, Louise Webber,
Heather McKenzie and Alex McKean to bow out
after contributing much to King's hockey over
the last few seasons.
It was an absolute pleasure working with these
girls. Their determination and focus throughout
the season is what impressed me most. The
62 group set the example, and the younger
members of the team have the ability to build
on this year and can look forward to some
successful seasons ahead.
I wish to thank each member of the squad for
making my last season such a special one for
so many reasons. I'd like to thank Tori for
being such an outstanding captain and to
Hattie Cunningham for being such an effective
club secretary. I hope that girls' hockey at
King's goes from strength to strength and I
wish everyone involved all the best for future
seasons. Enjoy the opportunities that King's
creates; it truly is a special place - make the
most of this privilege. It wouldn't quite be the
same if I didn't finish by saying: "Ladies, jog
on!"
Olivia Taylor challenges for
possession against Wells
Cathedral School
Girls'
Hockey
1st XI
by
Andy Jones