Magic Moreton Hall make history with maiden Championship win

Moreton Hall created a slice of history as they won their first ever U19 National Schools Lacrosse Championship with a stunning victory against Godolphin.

The Shropshire school went one better than last year’s second place by recovering from going behind early in the final to win 4-3 in a pulsating contest and seal a memorable victory for the players and their supporters.

Moreton had made a habit of securing comeback wins after finding themselves 1-3 down to Queen Anne’s Caversham in the quarters before winning 4-3, and were then 0-2 behind in their semi-final against St Catherine’s but surged to win 4-2 and book a return to the final.

Their semi-final success was particularly satisfying as it was their opponents St Cat’s who had denied them the crown back in 2023 with a comeback win of their own – but it was Moreton Hall who got the upper hand this time.

Godolphin meanwhile had been extremely impressive comfortably dispatching Claremont Fan Court, Putney High, and St Catherine’s in their Day 2 group.

They then followed it up with two strong victories against St Mary’s Calne (4-2) in the Last 16, and Westonbirt (5-0) in the quarter-final before meeting a fancied Guildford High in the semi-final.

It proved to be a highly competitive, top-level encounter that was tied after normal time, and even after two periods of overtime the sides could not be separated, Godolphin advancing courtesy of the first goal rule, having gone ahead in the 2-2 draw.

And so on to the final, and assomething had to give between the two previously undefeated sides we were treated to an absorbing match up in the quest to crown our champion.

It was first blood Godolphin, before the sides then traded goals to have the Wiltshire side 2-1 up.

However, it was then time for the customary Moreton Hall resurgence with them firing in two on the bounce to flip the game.

Godolphin equalised, but Moreton hit straight back to regain the lead and were able to manage the game trhough to the end and spark wild scenes to mark an historic win.

Watch the U19A Championship Final in full here:

MVP Awards
Goalie: Katie Savage (Berkhamsted)
Defender: Karina Henshaw (Moreton Hall)
Midfielder: Freya Moody (Guildford High)
Attacker: Liv Gomersall (Godolphin)
Vivien Jones Memorial Award: Phoebe Jones (Moreton Hall)

Other Divisional Winners from Day 2 at National Schools
U19A Division 1 Winners: Caterham 5-4 Withington (OT)
U19A Division 2 Winners: Fettes College 5-0 Stowe