Girls Hockey - Senior Plate Final
On Monday 11 March, the 1st XI Girls Hockey Team played Friends’ School, Lisburn in the Ulster Schools’ Senior Plate Final at Playball, Stormont.
The FSL team was strong featuring a number of Ulster and Ireland representative players in their ranks. Our girls were not overawed, though, and started the game with determination and belief galvanised following excellent wins against Ballymena Academy and Regent House in the previous two rounds.
We pressed the FSL defence and put them under pressure which resulted in a series of penalty corners early in the first quarter. FSL weathered the storm and began to grow into the game; however, we were defending resolutely epitomised by Lucy Storey who was everywhere and stopped a thunderous FSL short corner on the line to keep the score 0-0.
Emma Mackey was in excellent form in nets making a string of fine saves; however, she could do nothing about the first FSL goal which came just after the break. With tiring legs in Q4, FSL scored a scrappy second and a superb third to seal the win 3-0.
Our girls can hold their heads very high. The early season form had not been great; however, through hard work, togetherness and determination, they plotted their way to a spot in Finals Week and for that alone, they can be justifiably proud of their efforts. On a different day, if we had taken our early chances, we may have caused an upset. It was not to be and congratulations must go to Friends’ School on their win.
Thank you to the many current and ex-pupils, parents and staff who came along to support. We are very proud of the girls who represented the School impressively.