On the Sunday the 24th of April, eight members of the Hockey Club played for Northamptonshire at the regional tournaments. In the U16 tournament in Wolverhampton, Maya Nicolson (K) and Ella Johnsrud (Sn) played a tough set of matches, both contributing to the team’s success in finishing fourth.
Six girls played for the U18s at Burton on Trent; Issy Myers (Sn), Fran Aldridge (K), Alice Wilson (W), Miranda Joicey (W), Lara Chapman (D) and Kara Kimber (K). Northants started the tournament with a tight 1-0 over West Midlands, with Fran Aldridge scoring the winning goal. This was followed by a fine second half performance in the next match against Derbyshire. With the scores level at one all at half time, the girls showed their class and scored three unanswered goals.
With a guaranteed spot in the semi-finals, the final group game against Staffordshire was a non-event and key players were rested. The girls then prepared themselves for a semi-final against Leicestershire. After a nervous start the girls showed their class and Issy produced a fine back footshot, which she has been working on throughout the term, to take the lead. Others had their chances too, with Fran breaking through the defence, which sadly was not converted. Northants allowed Leicestershire back into the game, but fine goalkeeping kept them at bay, even when a penalty corner was given after time.
In the final against a strong Nottingham team, the girls played very well, but ran out of legs, and then had to chase the game, with the coach taking off defenders to try and gain a foothold in the game. The team place second in the tournament and came home with a well-deserved medal.