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17 Bedford High girls travelled to Prague to play lacrosse in the Under 19 Prague Cup from 13th to 18th July.

The objective of the tour for us was to give a team of young players the experience of playing lacrosse abroad against International opposition. The competition was always going to be tough. Haberdashers school had also travelled out with their senior Under 19 teams the vast majority of whom had just taken their A levels or were already in the sixth form. Bedford High in comparison had 13 players who had just 15 and then three players from Year 11 and one from the sixth form to complement the youth with a little more experience.

The final position in the tournament was a wonderful third place for Bedford High behind the Under 19 Czech team and Haberdashers A team.

The standard of lacrosse that the girls played was extraordinary but the joy for me came from watching them grow and develop in confidence as players and individuals on and off the pitch.

It was unusually hot even for Prague at this time of year and the thermometer was showing 41 degrees during one lunchtime match. Our players were undaunted though and played with such enthusiasm and flair that they even managed to capture the umpires hearts who voted us their team of the tournament.

Felicity McCallum made a wonderful off the field captain and shared the goal keeping with Nancy Paladina. Nancy threw her heart and soul into each match with instinctive saves even managing to lose her voice in the whole excitement of the trip. How lucky I am going to be to have such fabulous GK's ready for September. My defensive unit of Gabbi Shields, Dani Male and Tessa Forbes could have wilted under the heat and the strong competition but they grew in stature. Their communication developed as did their ability to anticipate the need ‘to slide' and double team the dangerous players with the ball.

Part of the reason that Bedford High competed so well was our pace and athleticism in midfield. Jazzy Whitlock and Anie Duncan were immense in midfield. Joining Bedford High as lacrosse beginners two years ago one might have expected them to be a little phased but Jazzy reads the game so well in defence that she was outstanding and even came through to score a lovely goal in one match. Anie became much more positional aware and began to use her strength and power moving forward into attack with great effect.

Fran Wood was absolutely key to holding things together again in the midfield defence and was one of the most consistent players throughout the tournament rarely putting a foot wrong. Emily Myrtle moved fluidly through the midfield with an incredible work rate and beautiful skills to match and Lilla To as one of the more experienced players kept calm under pressure and again excelled because her improved fitness levels meant that she was always supporting play.

In the midfield attack Megan Craddock played as always from her heart running the length and breadth of the field tirelessly. She and Hannah Conquest just look so graceful but also dangerous to the opposition with their turn of pace and Hannah peaked on the final day playing some beautiful lacrosse.

In attack Helena Prettyman just never stopped smiling on or off the pitch. She showed composure and control on the ball and scored one of the best goals of the tournament. Georgie Jackson showed superb vision in attack giving some great assists and always seeing the right pass. Alice Barr and Anaamika Chander as possibly the least experienced players on the pitch in terms of match play rose to the occasion with determination and desire and also played a key part in the attacking unit.
Anna Monk was outstanding. She scored 15 goals over the three days of play and was the second highest goal scorer in the tournament. What a talent!

I had a wonderful time because the girls were such fun to be with and they were a huge credit to Bedford High. I would like to thank Miss Pickin who was absolutely brilliant and also thank the group of parents who came to support and cheer us on.

Mrs Axford

Results
vs Prague senior club side lost 10 - 4
vs Czech Under 19 team lost 10 - 5
vs Haberdashers A team lost 13 - 1
vs Haberdashers B team won 11 - 1