The Severn Shield Hockey

The annual King’s v RGS Hockey fixture, which has been played for many years, was relaunched this year as the ‘Severn Shield’. As ever, it provided an opportunity for the First Team to play in front of an appreciative and enthusiastic crowd and showcase their talent.

This was the final match in a week of fixtures against RGS, which saw every girl in the Lower Years represent the School, and a further 80 girls from LR to U6 play competitively. Not only was this a fantastic opportunity for the girls to put their skills into match practice, but it provided the perfect opportunity for them to develop the important skills of leadership, confidence and resilience.

It was excellent to have such a large and supportive King’s crowd present to cheer on the team and it was particularly pleasing to see pupils from both Prep Schools, King’s St Alban’s and King’s Hawford in strong voice. King’s Hawford Assistant Head, Amanda Marshall-Walker commented, “The King’s Hawford girls were thrilled to see the senior team perform at such a high standard. They learnt so much about the game and the girls’ teamwork. They can’t wait to follow in their footsteps and have been inspired to represent King’s when they are older.” It was also the first time that we have used a ball patrol, where six of the King’s Lower Years pupils helped to maintain the intensity and pace of the game. All the girls commented on the excitement of seeing the game up so close and being an active part of such an event.

Despite the 0-0 score line, it was anything but a dull fixture, with chances at both ends and endless quality hockey on display. King’s built steadily through the first half, becoming more and more dominant on the ball. Their ability to outlet and play their way out through the RGS press was particularly pleasing and has become a real strength of this team. In the second half, the fitness levels of the King’s team really started to dominate, and they created several excellent goal scoring opportunities; however, some good saves and defending from RGS prevented the breakthrough goal. It was fantastic to see the friendship between both sets of players at the final whistle, with many of the girls switching from opponents to teammates, as they play together for their club sides at the weekend.

The girls backed up their performance last Wednesday with another terrific week of Hockey. They have progressed through to the Regional Indoor Hockey finals, where on Wednesday 7th December they will play against the top teams in the Midlands. They also won their fourth-round match against Bryanston in the England Hockey Plate Competition; despite us leading 2-0 at half time, Bryanston came back with two quick-fire goals just before the end of time. The girls were not to be defeated, and the composure and quality they showed with their penalty shuffles led them to progress to the Quarter Finals.

Lora Miller-Symonds, Director of Sport