Guildford High become School Challenge Cup champions
Guildford High produced a remarkable comeback to recover from 3-5 down to beat reigning holders Berkhamsted 10-5 in the School Challenge Cup final.
In a repeat of the National Schools Championship final back in March, and played in similarly wet conditions, the Surrey school avenged the defeat suffered that day to run out deserved winners.
On a day of extremely high-level competition, Guildford had edged past Moreton Hall 6-3 in their quarter-final, before holding off a late Caterham comeback to win their semi-final match up 10-9.
Berkhamsted, meanwhile, also had a tense start to the day squeezing past St Mary’s Calne 10-9 in a back-and-forth contest that could have gone either way, after which they producing a convincing performance against Wycombe Abbey in the semi-final to win 12-4.
The weather had largely held out for most of the day; however, by the time the final came around, the heavens opened making playing conditions difficult but both teams still managed to put on a highly entertaining game to keep everyone engrossed.
Berkhamsted took the initiative early in the final, holding a 4-3 lead at half-time and extending their lead early in the second looked like they were in the driving seat and on the way to repeating last year’s success.
However, over the longer 40-minute matches, Guildford had the opportunity to respond and slowly but surely they began to take control.
Camille Barton led the charge for her side, finishing the game with a remarkable seven goals with a number of drives to goal and executing a number deadly finishes from her free position opportunities.
As the game wore on, Guildford only became stronger and were able to shut out Berkhamsted for the majority of the second period, while they took their chances when in possession to earn the Challenge Cup title.
Caterham had earlier put the disappointment of missing out on the final behind them by coming through against Wycombe Abbey in the 3rd place play off winning 4-3 and earning themselves bronze medals.
Quarter-Finals
Berkhamsted 10 - 9 St Mary’s Calne
Caterham 9 - 8 Bedford Girls
Lady Eleanor Holles 6 - 9 Wycombe Abbey
Guildford High 6 - 3 Moreton Hall
Semi-Finals
Berkhamsted 12 - 4 Wycombe Abbey
Guildford High 10 - 9 Caterham
7/8 Play Off
Moreton Hall 10 - 9 St Mary’s Calne
5/6 Play Off
Lady Eleanor Holles 11 - 9 Bedford Girls
3rd Place Play Off
Caterham 4 - 3 Wycombe Abbey
Final Berkhamsted 5 - 10 Guildford High
