W
ith a squad containing many
youngsters, we started the
season with our eyes on
something of a development season, but
the girls soon showed determination and
courage beyond their years with a battling
0-0 draw against Wellington School in the
first match of the season.
In the hotly contested local derby with
Richard Huish, we played with a terrific
tempo, and Tarn McIntosh scored a
spectacular lobbed goal which was
always going to be goal of the season
despite this being only the second game
of the term! Pippa O'Neill went on to
secure the win with four further goals.
Cheltenham were next, and despite an
evenly contested match, the Cheltenham
captain and junior international turned
the game in their favour for a 2-0 win.
With such a competitive fixture list still to
come, we knew we had to bounce back
quickly, and we did just that against
Taunton School. Fourth former Grace
Murray scored her first goal for the 1st XI
in this match as we pushed Taunton
hard, but we were unable to hold onto
the lead and it was left to Flora Evans to
earn a well-deserved 2-2 draw.
Exeter School was an entertaining game
in which King's fielded an even younger
side than usual, with 3rd former Lucia
Abajo and 4th former Alex Taylor making
their debuts. Then against Sherborne we
had to defend stoutly for long periods of
the game, and even after ten penalty
corners Sherborne could not put the game
out of sight - thanks to a string of
outstanding saves by goalkeeper Alia
Hamaoui the game ended 1-1.
Captain Melissa McFarlane led from the
front against West Buckland finishing a
neatly worked penalty corner, but once
again we fell behind and had to rely on
Alia to save the first half. A new-found
energy and desire in the second half
found halves Georgina Adcock and Gussy
Hydleman dominating the game out wide,
and Tarn finished off another goal to earn
us the draw.
The Blundell's game too finished honours
even after a King's side hit by an early
injury had to put in a terrific defensive
performance to deny a talented Blundell's
team who had beaten us 5-1 the year
before. This fantastic effort was once
again led by captain Melissa McFarlane,
with great support from Elle Bracher.
So far in the season, with only two games
remaining, we had battled our way
through to just the two defeats at the
hands of more experienced and skilful
teams, and this was largely due to the
tenacity and determination of the five 62
players, Charlotte Dathan, Elle Bracher,
Georgina Adcock, Flora Evans and
captain Melissa McFarlane. Hopes were
high to finish on a winning note, but it
was not to be, as Bryanston and Queen's
were to prove just too strong and
experienced.
A huge thank you must go to all the
team, and especially the 62 players who
worked so hard throughout their final
season of hockey at King's - Flora Evans,
Georgina Adcock, Elle Bracher, Charlotte
Dathan and of course captain Melissa
McFarlane who gave her heart and soul to
the team.
60
Girls'
Hockey
1st XI
by Steve Shaw
Flora Evans slips through the Blundell's midfield
during the 1st XI's well-deserved draw