On Sunday 2 April we enterered the Dean Close Alumni 6 a'side Hocket Tournament. The Class of 2021 rose to the challenge and assembled what looked like a strong team. With a few members of the rovisional squad getting better offers of holidays with their parents we arrived on Sunday with 6 fit players and an injured goal keeper. Mia Cryer who had worked hard to assemble the team injured her back playing the day before and was unable to don the pads. Fortunately Bella Godfrey didn't take much persuasion and with help from coach Dave Harris and Mia learnt quickly. Our first game was against Tournamnet favourites Old Decanians which we lost 0-3, we had started slowly and with our team trying to work out the best formation for a team of defenders. After a short break we started well against Malvern St James and we were 2-0 up after 5 minutes. After conceeding 2 late goals we ended up drawing 2-2. In our third game we played the eventual winners Malvern College which we lost 1-3. Refreshed after an excellent lunch we battled hard against King Henry VIII, Coventry but despite our domination we couldn't beat an experienced goal keeper and drew 1-1. With the same score in our last pool game against Rendcomb College, after conceeding a late goal we had another match up with King Henry's to avoid 6th place. At last we clicked with Grace Light and Holly Weale both scoring twice in an epic 5-0 victory, and 5th place.

We are already planning for next year, the tournament will be held on Sunday 24 March, the day after the Annual Dinner!

My thanks to the team for playing and to Marcus Cryer, Dave Harris and Jules Light for their support. 

Peter Jakobek