It was the final tournament for the girls and with COVID and Mothers Day impacting the team, we were down to 6 for a series of back-to-back games, which would prove telling of the resilience and energy levels of the girls.

The girls got off to a bright start, confident from the start with strong attacks and passion in the middle – everyone was involved in making sure the ball went forward. We had a tough defence with Iris, Lauren and Hettie at the back with the rover Evie sitting up high ready to pounce on anything that came her way. Strong through the middle came Elsie and Isla on the wing.. we connected well and managed to break the defence and score a few quick goals from Evie (2) and Hettie (1) to seal a great win for 3-0 against Letchworth.

Straight into the next game with little rest the girls were not as organised this time, the ball managing to move through and this stretched the defence a little, but we managed to hold them out and bring it back… the defence of Harpenden proving too strong (and tall) for our girls to manage to break through this time. We had some great passing and the opposition manager even shouted out “great hockey” girls when the ball passed through 4 girls on its way down the pitch… sadly we ran out of time and it was called a 0-0 draw.

Next up was Hertford and it was a game where we were pressing high and putting them under pressure for the whole game. One small lapse in the defence being high and a long ball through saw a goal scored (though it was a little far out of the D, but still judged to count by their Ref/Coach) and Hertford went out the winners at 0-1

Not worried about the result at all, the girls stocked up on sweets and water and proceeded to the next game. Instructions were passed through the team about not hitting the ball away and trying to hold on and run with it… no sooner did this happen and Hettie was straight down the middle and taking the ball into the goal. The team's defence started to hang a little deeper to stop the runaways and we were pushing strongly in the middle of the field.. Another strong run from Hettie and we were in the lead with the 2-0 win very much deserved against St Albans D.

Game 5 in a row was next up, we didn’t have to move pitches, so we got ready for the next game knowing we would have a rest before the final game against the hosts Southgate. The defence was set, the girls were ready and off we went… strong down the middle by Elsie, chasing and relentless in challenges and winning the ball, up to Evie and across to Isla to score a great goal and we are up 1-0. This time it was the defences turn… in the middle by Elsie, taken by Lauren – trademark spin and rollout and connected with Hettie who had a long shot and into the goal to take the win 2-0

A small break for Haribo’s a laugh and a well deserved 8min rest before we lined up against St Albans C. This could be a tough one, as all St Albans teams are strong. But the girls showed strength across the pitch, supporting each other and bringing the ball forward and making sure we had cover at the back. Goal poacher Evie up front connecting and making sure everything counted this time… It was time for Iris to step up and start attacking the goal now, always backing up the midfield she got the ball and passed into the back of the net for a great win… even to take a knock on her head, it didn’t slow the girls down – the goals continued and Evie racking up her first hat-trick! A great win at 4-0

It was a great session, and the girls are really connecting, they start a little intrepid and you can see the confidence grow – less slapping and more running with the ball, they can beat any team when they are together as a wave. We had a well-deserved 2nd in the tournament – though I’m sure we should have won it

It’s their last outing as the U10’s and they all played with so much grit and determination today and they all deserve the player of the day!

The future is bright for the U12’s next season!!