A Place in the Finals for Rising Hockey Team

Southwell Brincliffe Ladies Hockey Club is celebrating after its 3rd team reached the Notts Women’s Hockey League’s Shield Final.

They overcome a strong Beeston team in a closely contested semi-final, which was eventually decided by penalty strokes after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

The Shield competition is aimed at teams playing in the lower divisions of the league. Southwell 3’s play in Notts. Division 2. They got off to a slow start this season as the team adapted to a new line up, which involved a large number of youngsters playing their first full season of ladies hockey. Lucy Roberts, Violet Roberts, Sophie Brown, Tilly Marshall, Millie Montgomery and Frankie Scurfield, who have developed through the club’s junior ranks at U10, U12 and U14 level, have all improved immensely each week and the team now sit in a very creditable fourth place.

It also includes U16s Ella Collyer, Ffion Roberts and Isabel Saxby, as well as a group of older youngsters who have been regulars for a few seasons: Larissa Myatt, Ellie Stredder, Olivia Shirley and Hannah Britten. The backbone to the side has been provided by Rach Kemp, Harriett Hawkins, Helen Newbold, goalkeeper Carol Baker and Captain Karen Sanderson, whose collective experience has supported the group of younger players during matches.

The club welcomes new players of all abilities and playing experience, and one adult member of the squad, Laura Groves, has only taken up hockey this season.
Many members of the team have benefitted hugely this season as a result of regular coaching from England junior international Toby Stanley and also Jason Hunt from Hurricane Sports.

So now, it is fingers crossed for the team and their supporters, as they take on South Notts in the final, at the Highfields Hockey Centre, Beeston on 6th April.

Published April 2019