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National Champions
On Friday and Saturday 5th and 6th March Bedford High U19 A and B lacrosse teams played in the National School championships.
Bedford High's U19 A team have have showed promise all season. On Friday they beat Caterham 2 - 1, Malvern St James 2 - 1, Cranleigh 3 - 0, Royal 4 - 0 and Uppingham 3 - 0 losing only to Godolphin 3 - 2. With such excellent results they qualified to play in the Division 1 competition where they were unbeaten in their section with wins over Cheltenham ladies College, Royal Grammar School, Sherbourne, St Albans and Malvern St James with a draw against St Pauls'.
This set of results took them as winners of their section into the semi finals against St Mary's Calne where despite conceding an early own goal the team came back to with a 4 - 2 win to book their place in the final. St Albans had won the other semi final and were determined to gain revenge for the defeat they had already suffered at the hands of Bedford High earlier in the day.
Bedford High's clinical finishing by Sarah Yeomans just proved too strong and despite one inspirational goal from the St Albans camp it was not enough to deny Bedford High a 2 - 1 win and the Division 1 trophy.
Bedford high player of the tournament was Sarah Yeomans but she was supported by a squad of players who played with such consistent skill, flare and finesse that they were a joy to watch. Olivia Jensen captained the side leading by example. The other upper sixth players also showed the benefit of experience with Emma Mc Queen invincible in goal and Katie Corkery playing a vital but unselfish role in midfield.
The defensive combination of Bryony Couchman, Paige Birley and Rosie Knight read the game brilliantly and worked together as a tight unit. Helen Bithrey showed her class in the defensive midfield and Rachel Friman saved the best lacrosse she has ever played for the tournament that mattered! Aoife o'Connor also impressed in midfield and Izzy Pugh was once again the engine of the team in the centre.
Claudia Barker as one of the youngest players in the squad was always dangerous with her pace and conjured up numerous goals to give Bedford High the upper hand. Sabrina Coladangelo, Rosie Leech and Hannah Ayres were incisive and threatening in attack and Maya Thrasher and Becky Wright proved that if you have natural talent and a fabulous work ethic it is possible to begin to excel in a sport that was new to them only 18 months ago.
Congratulations to a 'dream team!'
