Putney High win first Under 19 National Schools Championship title
Putney High created National Schools history by winning the Under 19A Championship for the first time with a 2-0 victory over Berkhamsted.
The Southwest London school won the premier competition at the 2022 National Schools Lacrosse Championships after a close-fought final against the 2019 edition winners.
Putney had lost twice earlier in the day during the group stages, but regrouped in supreme fashion to come through the knockout stages and put in an emphatic performance in the final to take the crown.
Putney had already qualified for the Top 16 knockout stages after their performances on Day 1 where they finished top of their section with five wins and a draw from their six matches.
However, they had a tough start to Day 2, losing to both Guildford High and Lady Eleanor Holles, and despite an impressive 4-1 win over St Catherine’s, finished 4th in the group and had to play Withington in the Last 16 who won their Championship group.
But a 3-3 draw saw them advance courtesy of the tie-break rule in which the team who score first in the match progress should the game finish all square.
Next up were 2020 finalists Benenden in the quarter-final, but once more Putney showed great strength in character to come through 3-2 to set up a rematch with St Catherine’s in the semi-final.
In contrast to their earlier meeting, this was a nail-biting contest that swung to-and-fro.
Two-all at half-time, Putney edged into a 4-2 lead before St Catherine’s got one back, and then launched an assault on Putney’s goal in search of an equaliser, but Putney’s defence did a sterling job to hold firm and see things out to make the final.
Meanwhile, Berkhamsted romped through the morning’s play winning three out of three before beating Bedford (4-0), St George’s (4-3), and Guildford High (2-1) to make the final.
The teams had already met on Day 1 with Putney High winning 5-1, but a National Championship final was new territory, and the tension was evident as the first five minutes of play produced no goals.
But it was Putney High who would draw first blood, taking a vital lead just before the half-time whistle and put the side within touching distance of making history.
Shortly after the break, they then doubled their lead with a well-finished free position opportunity to establish a commanding position with around five minutes to play.
Berkhamsted tried to force their way back into the game, but their attack came up against Goalie MVP Ella Ng, who repelled any attacks, including a crucial save from a free position shot with the opposition pressing.
Putney did good work in running down the clock holding possession and when the final klaxon went there was an outpouring of emotion that sparked jubilant scenes on the pitch and with the school supporters.
Full Winners from Day 2 at National Schools
U19A Division 1 Winners: St Paul’s Girls 3-2 Caterham
U19A Division 2 Winners: North London Collegiate 2-1 Birkenhead
U19A Division 3 Winners: St Bartholomew’s 4-0 Abbots Hill
U19B Division 1 Winners: St Catherine’s 3-0 Berkhamsted
U19B Division 2 Winners: St Helen & St Katharine 4-1 Godolphin
MVP Awards
Goalie: Ella Ng (Putney High)
Defender: Eliza Atkins (Berkhamsted)
Midfielder: Bella Baylis (Berkhamsted)
Attacker: Grace Penny (Putney High)
Vivien Jones Memorial Award: Carys Johnson (Westonbirt)
2022 School Challenge Cup qualified teams: Putney High, Berkhamsted, Guildford High, St Catherine’s, Benenden, St Swithun’s, St Albans High, St George’s Harpenden