Saints at Midlands Under 10 Championships
Northampton’s Under 10 girls acquitted themselves superbly at the Midland’s Championships in Rugby, finishing 5th overall out of 16 very competitive teams. Displaying outstanding teamwork and togetherness, the squad was skippered by Emily Beaumont who played beautifully all afternoon, supported by high level performances by all of her team mates, who seemed to step up a level in front of the large crowds of watching parents. After a narrow 1-0 reverse against Leamington, the girls recovered from an early setback against Belper (who would go on to win the competition) to win 2-1 before brushing aside Newark 2-0 to qualify for the top end of the knockout stages, thanks in no small part to Ruby Curtis-Free’s eye for goal.
A rugged rear guard action was called for against Rugby when a late goal salvaged a draw for the hosts and the first of three dramatic penalty flicks took place. Despite the best efforts of Georgia Coker-Aga in goal (who was heroic all day) the girls were edged out. A 0-0 in the next match against Lichfield meant a second shoot out and this time successful efforts from Curtis-Free, Matilda Hinde and Hattie Kendrick saw the team move into the 5th/6th play off against Worcester. Despite dominating possession, chances were squandered on tired legs and the girls were again faced with the drama of penalty flicks. Saves from Coker-Aga presented Harriet Fordham with the chance to score the winning flick, which she duly dispatched and a hugely deserved 5th place was secured.
Special thanks to all who played and raised the bar to a new level, not only on the pitch but off it, where Georgia, Hattie and Matilda, upon noticing how distraught the Litchfield goalkeeper was after the defeat, actively sought her out and embraced her with consoling words to raise her spirits – a wonderful display of sportsmanship, on a day when all the girls did their club, their parents and themselves proud.
Squad: Georgia Coker-Aga, Tilly Neeson, Azaria Kilby, Emily Beaumont (capt), Hattie Kendrick, Matilda Hinde, Camilla Young, Alessandra Jahina, Harriet Fordham, Ruby Curtis-Free.
Saints Under 10 Boys Storm to the Midlands Final!
After qualifying for the tournament in fine style back in March, our Under 10 team arrived at Rugby School along with 16 other teams to fight for the Midlands regional title. With the sun on their backs, it was a perfect day for hockey, and first saw us drawn against one of the strongest clubs in the region – Beeston. Saints earned a hard fought draw, with great performances in defence and attack, but ultimately both teams were unable to beat the (very good) keepers.
Next up were Shrewsbury, who the team duly dispatched 3-0, goals coming from Cody Godman and Sam Dale, supported by great build up play from Heath MacGregor. The whole team were playing some simply wonderful passing hockey, at the back James Barnwell and Angus MacGregor held firm, with James in particular showing great composure and skill bringing the ball out of defence. Warwick were the last of the pool games, the team now on a winning streak they quickly went to 2-0 and could afford to miss a host of unconverted short corners.
Undefeated, we were through to the play-offs, and having topped the group, we faced Belper in the quarter-final. A much closer match, which was eventually won 1-0, Sam Dale slotting home one of many his many chances, with great support from Math Wardell. Special mentions for Raffa Scaccia for his relentless running and Ben Howard for some fantastic tackling.
Next, would you believe, we faced Beeston again in the semi-final! The team’s growing confidence paid off in this match, and with Harry Street leading the line, Saints closed down their players and dominated the early attacks, scoring from open play again to win 1-0. Special mention for Monty Christoe (aka The Count) who was again in action, brilliantly saving and clearing a number of Beeston forays into the D.
We were in the final!
Rugby and East Warwickshire, another very good club, were our opponents. Both teams started at pace, with Rugby working hard to mark our key players out of the game, but chances still fell to Cody, Sam and Angus. At the other end of the pitch Monty cleared a number of advances, but in the end the only difference between the two teams was a deflected own goal in the dying minutes – the only goal the team conceded all day! A fantastic achievement to win the Runners-Up medal in real style against some very good teams.
Reaching the final was the just reward from some fantastic team hockey. The passing, running, tracking and tackling were all magnificent, and just as important for the coaches, the players’ effort, honesty, discipline and respect were faultless, and a real credit to themselves and the club. They also made for some very proud parents and coaches.
Squad: Monty Christoe (GK), Heath MacGregor, James Barnwell, Harry Street, Sam Dale (Capt), Raffa Scaccia, Matthew Wardell, Angus MacGregor, Ben Howard, Cody Godman,
