By: S. Rowe
Framlingham College’s U14 Girls travelled to the Lee Valley Hockey & Tennis Centre to compete in the U14 Tier 1 Investec Schools National Finals on Tuesday 25th February.
Having been crowned East Champions back in November and after a thorough preparation in the run up to the tournament, Framlingham were placed in a pool with Kingston Grammar School, St. Peters York & Loughborough High School. It was the latter who Framlingham faced in their first match and got off to a dream start with Anna Cogdell scoring twice in the opening minutes. Framlingham remained on top for the majority of the game and all three points were secured when Beth Gardens added a third with just minutes left on the clock.
Next up was St. Peters York, who started the faster of the two sides and shot into the lead and despite the girls efforts they entered the half time break trailing 0-1. Poppy Dring-Richardson’s clever rebound brought the sides level and Anna Cogdell’s penalty corner gave Framlingham the lead; but, St. Peters earned and converted a penalty corner of their own right at the death to end in a 2-2 draw.
With other results, it saw a win versus Kingston Grammar School secure a place in the final or draw or lose and play for 3rd/4th place. Kingston started the game the stronger of the two sides and took advantage, racing into a 2-0 lead. Framlingham once again found a way to get back in the game, with another penalty corner from Anna Cogdell and despite all their efforts were unable to get back on level terms, losing 2-1.
Repton would be the side Framlingham would face in the Bronze Medal match after finishing 2nd in a tight Pool B. The opening exchanges were nervy and even; both sides had opportunities to take the lead through both open play and penalty corners but neither could find a way through. An excellent passage of play resulted in Anna Cogdell converting from open play and giving Framlingham the lead, followed by a mature few minutes that resulted in a 3rd place finish and a bronze medal.
In what has been a long and eventful term for this group of girls, placing 3rd in the country is a fine reward for their efforts both on and off the field and adds to what has been an incredibly successful year for the College’s hockey.
