School News

On a hot, yes hot, Friday 19 September the U13 XI hockey team were involved in a very exciting after school fixture. A school from South Africa was touring the UK and had requested to play our U13 team.

The girls could hardly contain their excitement as they boarded the school mini bus which was taking them to Bedford School astroturf. As they disembarked the bus the girls were keen to see if their opposition had arrived. The crowds began to build up as parents came to support their daughters and the team in this exciting fixture.

The girls knew this was going to be a tough game as the South African team, Stirling Primary School, had been playing 11 a-side hockey since they were in year 6 and this was the end of their season. For the Bedford High School for Girls U13 team this was only their 3rd match in an 11-a-side formation. From the  push back Bedford moved the ball around well but Stirling Primary School showed they were a lot stronger on the ball and could transfer the ball to each other with greater consistency and flare.

The centre defence for Stirling Primary School was absolutely outstanding and left many of the parents in astonishment at how hard a 13 year old girl could strike a ball. It was not only hard but it was accurate and it often tore Bedford High's Defence apart. Bedford High worked hard to prevent Stirling Primary School from scoring, with some fantastic defending by Annie Tidd, Lucy Page, Larissa Keyte and Frances Kendall, but they were soon broken down with some quick passing and skilful play from the South African's. As the whistle went for half time the score was 2-0 to Stirling Primary School.
 
Bedford High School for Girls knew what they needed to do in order to break through Stirling's defence. However Bedford High's lack of experience in 11-a-side fixtures meant that they were not used to the large pitch and the fitness required to play a full pitch game. Stirling Primary School continued to apply high amounts of pressure resulting in Bedford High having to work extremely hard to mark their players. Due to fatigue in the second half and poor marking Stirling Primary School fired three more goals home.

However BHSG were not ready to give up and due to some excellent linking play from the midfielders of Hana Staddon, Louisa Cocksedge, Georgina Hind and forwards Alice Devaney and Kim Clifton the ball was crossed in towards the goal allowing Christina Bland to get her stick to it and put it in the back of the net! Stirling Primary School were not wishing to finish the game having conceding a goal and attacked Bedford High at high pace. After some fantastic hockey from the South African's they came through to the 'D' and struck the ball at goal only to see Bedford High's goalkeeper Zayneb Farhoud match the shot with a great save. This left the final score at 5-1 to Stirling Primary School.
 
Although the game was lost for Bedford High School for Girls, the girls clearly enjoyed the game and were extremely impressed by the South African side.  Hopefully the girls learned a lot from their opposition and they can go on to be a successful team themselves. Well done to all who played and I hope the girls who hosted the South African girls enjoyed their evening and picked up some helpful hockey tips for the season ahead!!

U13 TEAM: Zayneb Farhoud, Annie Tidd, Lucy Page, Larissa Keyte, Frances Kendall, Hana Staddon (C), Louisa Cocksedge, Georgina Hind, Kim Clifton, Alice Devaney (VC), Christina Bland, Bella Bonadies, Harry Elston, Katie Dabson and Lulu Cave.