Sedbergh School girls hockey team crowned county champions

Sedbergh's first match was against Keswick, who put up a strong opposition. The game was end to end, with good attacking play from both sides. Sedbergh used the width to push up into attack and with great transferring skills Scout Turner-Richards got a deflection into the back of the net.

With some errors in defence Keswick fought their way back into Sedbergh's D and converted.

The second half brought more high-paced hockey and determination. Sedbergh played the ball up to the attackers and India Haydon-Wood sent a strong ball towards the goal, which Scout Turner-Richards deflected into the goal. With a few minutes left, Sedbergh miss-hit a 16 yard hit out, which resulted in Keswick scoring a last minute goal to make it 2-2 at full time.

Sedbergh stepped up in the second game against Kirkby Stephen. The standard of hockey from the Sedbergh girls improved, and they were able to move the ball around the pitch with confidence.

In the second half there was an excellent 16 yard hit from Chloe Anderson. Sedbergh passed quickly up the pitch to Ella Seymour who aided Scout Turner-Richards to score and secure a 1-0 victory.

In the final game against Austin Friars, Sedbergh needed to score as many goals as possible to obtain a greater goal difference than Keswick. They started very well and had many chances in the attacking D.

They soon managed to capitalise on their attack and Scout Turner-Richards sent a goal past the keeper. In the second half Sedbergh continued to attack well, and with a fantastic pick-up of the ball in mid-air, the captain India Haydon-Wood sent a flying hit into the back of the net, securing a 2-0 victory.

The final match between Keswick and Kirkby Stephen would determine the county champions. A 1-0 win from Keswick meant that Sedbergh were both on equal points and equal goals for and against. It was time for a penalty shoot-out.

India Haydon-Wood secured Sedbergh's first flick. Alice Dunning and Molly Barrett narrowly missed, but the fourth flick came from Ella Seymour. Martha Keegan, having kitted up again, stepped back into goal, missing the first flick, but saving the remainder - meaning Sedbergh were outright county champions!

It was a nail-biting finish to an excellent day of hockey and a fantastic achievement to end the season.

Special mention must go to Martha Keegan for keeping her cool at the tensest of moments and to India Haydon-Wood for leading her team to victory so well.

The tournament was held at Austin Friars at Carlisle.