Cundall Manor wrap up 3rd National Title in 3 Years

Cundall Manor is celebrating another national title after our U11 Girls hockey team claimed the ISA National Hockey Championships at the former Olympic Hockey Stadium in London.

The U11 team clinched the trophy at the Lee Valley Stadium following a tough 1-0 win over Essex based, Littlegarth School.

The win makes it THREE titles in three years at the prestigious tournament, with the U13 team previously claiming the top prize.

The team had to overcome tough opposition to reach the knock out stages, with a 0-0 draw against Alleyn Court Preparatory School in the opening fixture proving the difficulty of the draw. The team played some superb hockey, keeping a clean sheet in the remaining group fixtures against Oakfield Preparatory School and Malvern St James before gaining qualification to the finals.

In the finals stage, the team overcame Holme Grange School, Copthill School and St Margaret’s School, only conceding the one goal throughout the tournament. The final was a nervous affair following an early Cundall goal in the third minute but the North Yorkshire side held on to the lead despite attacking hockey from the Essex team.

Mrs Louise Bessey, Head of Girls Games at Cundall Manor School said: “It is an amazing achievement for the girls and for our school. To claim three national titles in as many years shows the strength in depth at the school and to compete so well on the national stage, is testament to their hard work and dedication.”

The school’s U13 team were also in action at the former Olympic stadium, trying to emulate the success of the previous two U13 teams. The team secured a bronze medal finish after beating Lingfield College in the playoff final. Cheshire school, Alderley Edge School for Girls claimed the top prize following a 2-1 victory over Holme Grange School from Wokingham near Reading.

On hand to help with the trophies was Team GB and Scotland International, Chris Grassick.

Mrs Bessey added: “Events like these are always a great way to test our teams against some of the best sides in the country. To come away with a first and third is amazing. The girls should be very proud of their achievements and the way they competed today.”