U10's at the LGJS Hockey Tournament

On Wednesday 18^th November, the U10’s travelled to Leicester to play in a tournament at Leicester Grammar Junior School.

The girls played their first game with determination and gave us a strong display of defending, holding Stamford to just one early goal. By the end stages of the game, the Copthill defenders of Lily Newman and Gemma O’Flaherty had found their feet and with calm heads produced some splendid tackles, breaking up the Stamford attack and denying them to chance to shoot at goal. Although we finished 0-1 down, the performance was just what the girls needed to start off with.

Next up were Ratcliffe, where our girls seized the bull by the horns and attacked from the start.  The Ratcliffe defence had their work cut out by some brilliant passing and moving from Charlotte Dean and Emily Anderson, the result of which was a fantastic goal! The girls continued to play the ball forwards, resulting in some lovely runs up the pitch. Sadly we just couldn’t find the back of the goal again despite some relentless attacking.  We were unlucky to concede in the last minute, despite some fierce tackling from Isla Fulluck and Bea Selkirk but the girls were very pleased with a 1-1 draw.

Then girls then went on to play LGJS. Again we started with some great attacking play and it was brilliant to see the girls playing with confidence and working well together. There were some confident runs up the pitch from India North and Ivy Kettlewell but despite a number of shots on goal, we were denied a score. At the other end, Jemima Hitcham (captain) did a sterling job of keeping out the Leicester attack. The goalless end score really doesn’t reflect the quality of the play during this game, the girls were brilliant!

Our final game was against Witham Hall and on paper was our hardest match. The girls were fired up for this one and produced their best work yet. Witham scored early on and the heavens opened shortly after the goal (as shown by the photo below!) but in true Copthill style, this only served to fuel the girl’s enthusiasm and drive! They tackled confidently, used the wings to pass the ball out, passed and moved, created spaces, and tried to get shots in. We were terribly unlucky to concede another goal towards the end of the game but the girls finished with their heads held well and truly high.

The girls went home as the 'Team of the Tournament' for their enthusiasm, positive play and excellent attitude. This was an accolade that they thoroughly deserved. They were a real credit to themselves and the school and they should be very pleased with their hard work, enthusiasm and determination.

Well done girls - it was a pleasure to work with you, both Mrs Westwood and myself were incredibly proud of you all - you were fab!

Lisa Lamb