School sport: Hill House girls into north of England hockey finals

After recently being crowned South Yorkshire champions, the team had home advantage in the north semi-finals on their new astroturf pitch.

But they went into their final match of the day against Liverpool’s St Edward’s School knowing only a seven-goal victory would be enough to see them qualify for the next round.

Sprotbrough’s Eleanor Kidney was excellent in attack as the girls quickly surged into a 4-0 lead.

However, with only four minutes remaining the scoreline remained the same and Hill House’s chances of going any further in the competition appeared to be over.

That was the cue, though, for the team to go into overdrive, with the crucial seventh goal coming in the last 30 seconds of the match.

Earlier in the round-robin event, Hill House had started slowly with a 3-2 win and 2-0 defeat to Wilmslow High School.

Doncaster Hockey Club’s Daisy Bennett starred in central midfield as the girls rallied to beat Altrincham Grammar School 3-1.

Isabel Kell was then outstanding in defence in a 0-0 draw with Lancashire champions Kirkham Grammar School.

Peter Shipston, master in charge of hockey at Hill House School, said: “This is an outstanding group of girls who can go even further.

“They came third in the north last year, missing out on the national finals by one goal.

“We are very proud of them all.”

Pictured above: (back l-r) Grace Thomas, Lauren Watson, Sophie Parkinson, Eleanor Kidney, Mollie Broadbent, Daisy Bennett. (Front l-r) Zara Karim, Evie Sprenger, Isabel Kell, Isobel Flanagan.

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