Boarding News

On Saturday 4 October, the U11 and U10 Netball teams travelled to Dame Alice Harpur School to take part in the Year 5 and 6 Netball High Five Festival.  Due to there being so many teams, the teams were split into two sections.  The U11 team faced a tough section with local rivals DAHS Year 6 A.

The U11's first match was against DAHS Year 5.  The girls started slowly and at half time were winning 1-0.  However, we knew we had to up our game if we were going to have any success at the tournament.  In the second half, we started to play better and the final score was 2-0 to Bedford High School for Girls.

For the second match we were more focused and determined and this was reflected in the score.  By half time, we were winning 3-0.  In the second half, we were playing some superb netball and heavily dominated the game.  Our accurate passes and sharp shooting ensured we won comfortably 9-0.

We then faced Newnham and our easy win in the previous match had made us lose focus.  The first half finished 2-1 to us, however we knew we needed to play better to win.  In the second half, Newnham proved to be tough opponents but the girls went back to basics and dictated the pace of the game, the final score was 4-2 to Bedford High.

Daubeney were our next opponents.  The girls played well and we won 5-0.  We then played Harrold Year 5 team.  The girls worked extremely well as a team and won 7-1.

The final match before the play offs was against DAHS Year 6. The girls were focused and determined to win.  They started off strong and quick passes and great shooting led to the 4-0 lead at half time.  In the second half, we dominated the play and at full time, we had won 8-0.

It was now an agonising wait to find out who we were playing in the play offs.  As we had won all our matches, we won our section and now had to face the winner of the other section, who was Lincroft Year 6 A.  As our Year 5 team had already played them earlier in the tournament, we were able to get some hints about their playing style and any players to watch out for.

The girls started off focused but Lincroft's fast game pace soon dominated our match and the 2-1 score to Lincroft at half-time left the Bedford High girls disheartened.  After a positive team talk, we went out determined to play our own game.  In the second half, our skills and game play improved.   We equalised, then overtook Lincroft in the score and eventually won 5-2.

All the girls worked really hard and deserved to win.  It really was a team effort and every girl played their part and deserved their place on the team.

Fiona Ramsbotham was agile on court and marked tightly, her dodging was superb and she proved to be very difficult to mark.  Harriet Ensor- Clinch gave 100% and made some great interceptions.  Her passes were both powerful and accurate.  Laurel Stewart was strong in defence- she regularly intercepted the ball and jumped for the rebounds ensuring they only had one chance to shoot.  Alicia Leech moved well around the court, frequently finding space and losing her player.  She was the second top goal scorer, scoring 8 goals.  Holly Dabson was our top goal scorer, scoring a total of 11 goals, her shooting was accurate and she was able to score from practically everywhere in the goal circle.  Nancy-May Thorne was strong in defence.  She made some vital interceptions and marked her opponent, making it hard for them to gain valuable scoring opportunities.  Leo Field-Foster displayed great movement on court, especially in the goal circle and created some lovely scoring opportunities.  Rosie Davies was a key player in both attack and defence.  Her movement was superb and her speed ensured she could easily mark her opponent but get free when possession changed.  Well done girls!

Squad: H. Dabson, R. Davies, H. Ensor-Clinch (c), L. Field-Foster, A. Leech, F. Ramsbotham, L. Stewart, N. Thorne.

The U10 team gained some valuable experience, played plenty of matches and finished a very credible 10^th.  There was a definite improvement and clear progression throughout the matches.  The scores were as follows:

BHSG Year 5 vs. Lincroft Year 6            4-0       Lost

BHSG Year 5 vs. DAHS Year 5              1-0       Won

BHSG Year 5 vs. DAHS Year 6 B           2-0       Lost

BHSG Year 5 vs. St Andrews                4-0       Won

BHSG Year 5 vs. Lincroft Year 5           3-0       Won

BHSG Year 5 vs. Harrold Year 6           5-3       Lost

They played Lincroft Year 6 B in the play offs and narrowly lost 2-1.  A special mention must go to Octavia Cavill who scored 8 goals which is incredible when you consider that the BHS U10 team scored 12 goals in total and Kate Axford who was player of the tournament.  Her persistence and determination were exceptional and her ability to remain positive when faced against a tough opponent was a great example to the rest of the team.  Well done to all those involved

Squad: K. Axford, O. Cavill, E. Collett, I. Gurney, C. Kearney, K. Parrish, E. Parocki, E. Salmon

I would like to say a huge thank you to Miss Cole and Miss Halliwell whose knowledge and expertise were invaluable on the day.

I would also like to thank all the parents who came and supported the team.

Miss S. Fisher