Wycombe Abbey crowned National Schools U19A Champions

Wycombe Abbey produced the perfect day’s performance at this year’s National Schools Lacrosse Championships to storm to victory in the 2020 U19A Championship.

They defeated Benenden 4-0 in the final to claim their first U19 Championship since 2015 when they beat Lady Eleanor Holles.

All the sides competing had been raring to go after persistent poor weather cancelled play on Day 1 of the competition.

But Day 2 saw glorious sunshine and despite the wet ground around the site, the pitches held up fantastically well to ensure a full day of high level action.

Wycombe Abbey came through their pool section with a 2-1 record in the morning matches, overcoming St Swithun’s and Lady Eleanor Holles, but losing out to Downe House to set up a Last 16 match with St Helen & St Katharine.

They came through that 3-1 before seeing off last year’s finalists Guildford High 4-0 in the quarter-final to advance to the semi-final.

After coming through their close semi-finals (Benenden beating Berkhamsted 2-1 and Wycombe Abbey scraping past St Catherine’s 3-2), the stage was set for a tense finale.

But Wycombe Abbey took their momentum from their final four victory to blow Benenden away in the showpiece contest.

Their shooting was deadly accurate, and Emily Wallace, named goalie MVP, produced a perfect display to record a clean sheet when it mattered most.

It was also a particularly special moment for Wycombe Abbey coach, Ruby Smith, who won the Championship exactly 10 years ago as a player for Godolphin school.

The final score reflected Wycombe Abbey’s dominance and they claimed a deserved title to take back to High Wycombe for 2020.

2020 School Challenge Cup qualified teams: Wycombe Abbey, Benenden, St Catherine’s, Berkhamsted, Bedford Girls, Downe House, St Swithun’s, and Guildford High

U19A Division 1 Winners: St Paul’s Girls 3-2 Putney High
U19A Division 2 Winners: Marlborough College 3-2 Queen’s Chester
U19A Division 3 Winners: Queen Margaret’s 3-2 Harrogate Ladies College

MVP Awards

Goalie: Emily Wallace (Wycombe Abbey)
Defender: Honor Gibbs (Benenden)
Midfielder: Alex Cant (St Catherine’s)
Attacker: Mia Rogers (Wycombe Abbey)

Vivien Jones Memorial Award: Bryony Bovell (St Catherine’s)