Christ College girls book their place in the National Hockey finals for the second year running!

15 Mar 2012

After the drama of the South Powys championships, which saw Christ College go through on goal difference from Crickhowell thanks to a last minute Catrin Bush equaliser, all eyes were now set on the U18 County Final at Llandrindod against Welshpool. With both the retention of their title at stake and qualification for next year’s National Finals, the 1st XI faced an opponent that they had not played at hockey for 4 years, who had themselves brushed aside a formidable Llanidloes team in their own North Powys competition. Within minutes of the match starting, however, it soon became apparent that the sides were very much mismatched and at different ends of the development spectrum. With a swift passing movement from left to right, the Christ College team drove straight through the Welshpool defence for Annabel Jones to score the opener. This was followed only minutes later by a second from Rosie Woodrow. With Welshpool struggling to form any pattern of play beyond defence, Christ College continued to exert massive amounts of pressure, with two further goals from Woodrow and Kira Neigefink being scored before half time, leaving the score at 4-0 by the break.

After half time the young Welshpool side continued to marshal spirited defence but simply could not do anything with their limited possession beyond attempting to catch Christ College on a break – a threat that was stifled by the superb work of defensive pair, Danni Osborne and Jess Doney. Further goals from Jos Beaumont and Rosie Woodrow (completing her hat-trick) followed and despite Welshpool scoring from their solitary penalty corner, a final goal from captain Bea Wigmore saw the match end with a crushing 7-1 result. For the second year in a row, Christ College now move on to the U18 Nationals on Tuesday 6th March having laid down a huge marker to their likely opponents. Could this finally be the year that the National Trophy is at last draped in Green and Gold?

Photo: CCB’s 1st XI and Powys Champions