PUBLISHED 05 March 2024
The Annual U12 Jean Torrance Tournament saw 12 teams participate in the A & B tournaments with schools from as far afield as Scotland and Kent joining three AKS and local school and club sides for an action packed day of hockey.
In the A tournament the AKS U12A team narrowly lost their first game against Preston Hockey club 2 – 3 after a close fought match but got their first points on the board with a narrow win against the AKS U11 side, 1 - 0. Eventual tournament winners, Mary Erskine School from Edinburgh proved tough opposition in the third match and despite some great defending and goalkeeping the final score was 0 – 2. A last minute goal secured the team a draw against Lytham High in their penultimate game but with the team improving with every game a convincing 5 – 0 win against Highworth School, Kent in their final match saw the team finish 3rd in their group and so go into the semi-final against Preston Hockey Club. The semi-final saw the two very evenly matched teams go toe to toe and AKS took the lead half way through the match only for Preston to equalise with 10 seconds remaining to take the match to penalty shuffles. With a place in the final the prize three players, Alyssa W, Sadie A and Sophia T stepped up to take the penalties and some superbly taken shuffles along with some great goalkeeping from Louisa B saw AKS win the shoot-out 3 – 1 and so progress into the final. In the final the team faced a very strong Mary Erskine side and despite raising their game again the team couldn’t stop the strong skilful Mary Erskine forwards finding the net and at the final whistle the score was 0-3 and the AKS team deservedly received the runners-up medals.
The AKS U11 side also played in the A tournament and did themselves proud finishing in 4th place. The team grew in confidence as the tournament progressed and played some superb hockey along the way. Highlight of the day was the battle between sisters Penny (U11) and Sadie A (U12) with older sister Sadie just coming out on top with a narrow 1 - 0 win. A great win against Highworth A team and other draws saw the junior side give a great account of themselves against older opposition and take home 4th place certificates.
The U12 B team went one better than the A team being joint winners of the B Tournament and taking home winners medals. Section wins against Highworth B team ( 3 – 0) and Lytham High B ( 2 -0 ) along with draws against Preston Hockey Club B and Mary Erskine B teams saw the team finish 3rd in the section and progress into the semi-final against Preston Hockey Club. With the teams evenly match it was a close fought game with both teams having chances to score but at the final whistle the scores were level at 0 – 0 and once again it was to be decided on penalty shuffles. Three players stepped up to take the penalties, Bella A, Antonia B & Amelia G but when none were scored it was down to sudden death penalties and with a great save from GK Faye J and Olivia C holding her nerve to convert for AKS the team progressed into the final against Mary Erskine B team. Having played out a draw in the section the final was always going to be close and so it proved to be and at the final whistle with the score level at 0 – 0 the trophy was shared and both teams received winners medals.
Overall a great day of hockey, despite the wet conditions, which all the girls enjoyed and they certainly learnt a great deal , improving with each game and being rewarded with medals, certificates and another trophy in the cabinet. Well played everyone!