IAPS Regional Finals Report
IAPS Regional Hockey Final, Friday 11th October, Repton School Following their recent success at last week’s Bromsgrove Tournament, the hockey squad set off to Repton in confident, yet slightly nervous spirit, for the Regional Finals. This competition brings together schools from all over the country and Repton is just one of the many qualifiers being staged over the next few weeks, with the top 24 teams from those Regional Finals qualifying for the IAPS National Finals in November.
Repton hosted 24 teams consisting of four pools, with the top two from each pool progressing through to the Cup Competition. The group stages involved five matches of ten minutes duration and Fairfield went in to each match determined to set the standard for the rest of the day. Our opening match against Foremarke proved to be the toughest group match but the team secured a well deserved 0-0 draw. Confidence now high and nerves settled (my nerves that is!), the girls proceeded to put in a superb set of results, showing tremendous skill, determination and team work that ensured we topped the group. Furthermore, their resilience was first class given that all but the first match was played in torrential rain!
Group Stage Results:
Vs Foremarke 0-0 draw
Vs Hill House 3-0 win
Vs Warwick Prep 4-0 win
Vs Leicester Grammar 4-0 win
Vs St Olaves 2-0 win
A break for lunch and the chance to dry out (just slightly!) followed and then it was time to play in the Quarterfinals against Bilton Grange. The team raised their game again and came away with a 4-0 win. They waited with great anticipation to find they were up against Witham Hall in the Semifinals. This match proved to be far tighter and the girls had to work really hard as a unit to keep the defence tight and push forward with pace. The deadlock was finally broken with a well taken goal from Fairfield. Witham were unable to respond which saw us go into the Final against Foremarke. Although safe in the knowledge that we had qualified for the National Finals, the team were determined to put in another outstanding performance. Having now played seventy minutes of hockey (the same duration of an adult hockey match), everyone dug very deep and gave it their all. In the last ten seconds of the match Foremarke scored from a well taken penalty corner to secure a 1-0 win in a game that could have gone either way. This was the only goal the team had conceded in the entire competition. The team should be tremendously proud of their Runners Up placing and wear their medals with great pride; their determination, resilience, sportsmanship and team spirit was outstanding and I know they will be exceptional ambassadors when they represent Fairfield Prep at the National Finals. Huge congratulations to you all, we are very proud of you.
My heartfelt thanks must also go to Ms Nicol for umpiring and support and to the wonderful parents who gave such motivational and encouraging support to the team, it was instrumental in bringing out the very best in every player.
