Berkhamsted produced a perfect day’s display rounded off with a convincing 4-1 win against Guildford High in the final to take the National Schools Lacrosse Championships U19A title.

It proved to be lucky 13 for Berkhamsted as they won their thirteenth straight match across the two days to win the Championship they last took in 2016.

The final was contested amidst a raucous atmosphere as the watching teams and supporters filled the 500-seat stand, and despite the appalling weather conditions, delivered some high-quality lacrosse.

Earlier Berkhamsted had downed Withington in the Last 16 and Benenden in the quarters before beating Caterham 5-3 to earn their final spot.

Guildford had defeated Westonbirt in a Last 16 tie, Moreton Hall in the QFs and a 3-1 win against last year’s champions Lady Eleanor Holles sent them through to the final.

But Berkhamsted asserted their dominance early on and once going 1-up, continued to pull away as the game wore on.

Guildford High ‘keeper Dylan Whittington, who picked up the goalie MVP award, attempted to keep her side in the game with a number of saves, but by the time Guildford got on the scoreboard it was already 4-1 with only a couple of minutes to play.

It was a second win for Berkhamsted at the venue in the last six months as they also won the inaugural School Challenge Cup held in Aldershot back in November, putting their familiarity with the stadium site to good use.

All the teams that made the U19A Top 8 this year have also earned a place in the 2019 School Challenge Cup, scheduled for Sunday 17 November at Aldershot Garrison Sports Complex.

School Challenge Cup Qualifying Teams
Berkhamsted; Guildford High; Caterham; Lady Eleanor Holles; Bedford; Benenden; Moreton Hall and Wycombe Abbey.

MVPs

GK: Dylan Whittington - Guildford High
Def: Emma Savage - Berkhamsted
Mid: Eleanor Bruce - Berkhamsted
Att: Bella Streule - Berkhamsted

Vivien Jones Memorial Award: Anya Devon-Berry - Guildford High

Other Under 19 Divisional Winners

U19A Division 1: St Paul’s Girls
U19A Division 2: North London Collegiate
U19A Division 3: Haileybury
U19B Division 1: St Catherine’s
U19B Division 2: St Helen & St Katharine
U19B Division 3: St Bartholomew’s