Pocklington School U16 Hockey squad travelled to The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) on Tuesday 21st November to compete in the second round of the North East Hockey Finals, after beating Hymers at home a couple of weeks earlier. 

The format of the day was changed at the last minute and meant that the girls played four games of intense hockey, over 3 hours without a break. In true Pocklington spirit, the girls played with determination and epitomised grit against some very skilled opposition. 

Pocklington started with two very pleasing results, beating Newcastle High 4-0 and Durham High 1-0. 

St Peter’s stepped up as the third opposition of the day and with the Pocklington girls matching the St Peter’s side in skill, fitness and determination, the game could have gone either way; Taggy Medforth’s superb goal was matched by another two goals from St Peter’s and the game sadly ended with a 2-1 defeat.

GSAL were the fourth and final opposition of the day. With GSAL on their home pitch and what seemed like the entire school out supporting them, the Pocklington girls rose to the occasion, again matching their skills and determination.

The result, a 2-0 defeat to GSAL, was not a fair overview of the game but as ever, the tournament goes on goals alone.

Miss Hornby, teacher of PE at Pocklington School said: “Finishing in third place was a great achievement for the Pocklington girls; when they were quite literally knocked down, they got back up again and played with their hearts on their sleeves. The Games Department are incredibly proud of the girls’ efforts and as ever, they were wonderful ambassadors for Pocklington School.”