National runners-up spot for hockey aces

May 10, 2019

A talented hockey team at Monmouth School for Girls have finished runners-up in a national competition.

The under-12 team consisting of pupils at Monmouth School Girls’ Prep and Monmouth School for Girls were outstanding at the Welsh National Schools Finals in Newtown.

Having qualified for the finals, the Monmouth girls won four matches and lost only one against the other five regional representatives, scoring 12 goals and conceding just two.

And the Monmouth team, which had a Year 5 pupil, two from Year 6 and seven from Year 7, were recognised, by the organisers, as the best dressed.

It was the first national hockey finals for this age group and the Monmouth girls opened strongly before conceding a late goal in a narrow and tense 1-0 defeat to Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg, the eventual Welsh champions.

The Monmouth team regrouped quickly and bounced back to seal a convincing 3-1 success against Ysgol y Berwyn.

The Monmouth team, captained by Eloise, continued to work hard for each other and recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win against Ysgol Bro Dinefwr.

After a quick break, the team notched an early goal against Howell’s School, Llandaff, and were kept at bay by a string of fine saves from the opposition’s goalkeeper as it ended 1-0.

With the Monmouth team now full of confidence, the girls took the lead just 15 seconds into their final match against Bishopston Comprehensive School and stormed to a 5-0 triumph.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg finished the day unbeaten to take the Welsh title but Monmouth’s team were a close second after a memorable day.

Coach Pete Jenkins had spent the past fortnight preparing the girls for the finals and they were a credit to themselves and to Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools.