Brilliant Staff V Pupils Hockey Match

Our end-of-term staff v pupils hockey match proved a sporting event of "fun, community and celebration" according to our Head of Hockey, Mr Will Murray, who compiled this match report.

The end of term saw the Girls' 1st Team take on the creme de la creme of Coll sporting and athletic prowess, the Staff Hockey team.

A rousing, vociferous, partizan crowd gave the same welcome to the staff team that one might expect playing away at Galatasaray. The impact of this rapturous support was notable as the girls' raced into a 1-0 first quarter lead as Jess Wright converted a penalty corner with a dart-like finish.

The girls had come out of the blocks flying, moving the ball around with guile and purpose; playing their best hockey of the season.

As the staff rotated the umpires each quarter they were able to arrest the girls' momentum in the match. With the introduction of fresh legs and some muscular defending from the "Bash Brothers", Mason and Collins, the staff built their way back into the contest.

A wonder goal from Mr Murray and a back post tap-in from Mr Hanrahan gave them a lead going into half time. Truthfully, it should have been more but for the heroics of Grace "The Wall" Cameron, the wasteful, anxious finishing of Mr Smith and a series of impotent penalty corners from the staff.

The girls saw the staff's spurned chances as an opportunity to go for it and having earlier toppled her mother, Ottilie Butler scored a dramatic equaliser. The veteran staff team was unable to convert through a period of increasing pressure late in the game, Cameron's Wall remained intact and the final whistle blew, 2-2.

Buoyed by the crowd the girls sought out victory with an excited clamour for penalties!

Murray and Figgit's efforts were coolly tossed aside by Grace Cameron, giving the girls early confidence, but it was to be another net-minder that would steal the show with Smudge owning the attacking circle in the manner of an ill-tempered, territorial walrus. 

Rapturous celebrations ensued after Smudge saved the final penalty and the staff clinched a hard-fought victory.

Scoreline aside, the true match outcomes were those of fun, community and celebration. It was amazing to see the whole college come together in a festival of sport approached in a light yet competitive manner. Even better, seeing two mother-daughter combos (Butler and Adamson) playing on the same field highlights the unifying power of sport and the strength of the College family.

Everyone is now looking forward to subsequent planned staff-student encounters in cricket, lacrosse and netball!