For the fourth consecutive year, the Cheltenham College U16 girls’ hockey team has triumphed in the Gloucestershire County Cup. The College girls, including six talented U15 players, won all 5 of their group games before going on to win their semi-final and then defeating CLC on penalty strokes in a thrilling and hard fought final.

The girls started the day as they meant to go on, with a convincing four-nil win over Balcarras School. Captain Grace Knudsen opened the scoring, followed by two goals from Frankie Dent and one from Kate Langlands-Pearse. Successive one-nil wins against St. Peter’s and Wycliffe follwed, with Frankie Dent and Annie Townley scoring the goals. The College girls then upped the ante with a two-nil win over Rednock and some slick short corner routines. The final group game was against local rivals CLC, with an excellent save from Phoebe Hunt and a goal from Jess Alcock securing the win.

The semi final was against a very good Pate’s side, with an ultimate 1-0 score-line, setting up an exciting final against the original group runners up CLC.

An epic match ensued, played not only with incredible energy from both sides but also great spirit. 0-1 down at half time, College player Darcy Alexander scored an excellently worked equaliser early in the second half. With both teams determined not to budge an inch, the match was clearly destined to be fought until the bitter end. An early extra time goal from CLC seemed to herald a win yet the College girls’ fighting spirit was not to be dimmed. Deep into injury time within the extra time, an inspired Ciss Thomasson anticipated well to convert a searching cross, bringing the final to penalty strokes.

Within minutes the College goalkeeper became heroine of the hour, saving three of CLC’s first four attempts. Not to be outdone, Darcey Alexander, Ellen Arthur and Frankie Dent all stepped up to the mark, converting their strikes with aplomb. Victory was now well and truly theirs: the only undefeated side of the day.

Gwyn Williams, Head of Hockey at Cheltenham College commented: “The girls really deserved their success; they fought hard throughout the day and played some truly inspirational hockey. The future looks bright for the girls, especially with six players so young and we are now looking forward to the next round, the West of England finals.”

The U16 Colts squad: Phoebe Hunt, Annie Townley, Ellen Arthur, Lily Owen, Amy Foulkes, Grade Knudsen (c), Kate Langlands-Pearse, Olivia Schofield, Darcy Alexander, Frankie Dent, Jessica Alcock, Ciss Thomasson, Jo Stubbs, Jemima Lowe, Lucy Shackell and Rosa Schofield.