Champions of Sussex, Lewes U12s travelled to Surbiton for these finals where the finalists included some top hockey breeding ground names such as Reading, Surbiton and Oxford. Undaunted, these well trained future superstars were drilled to defend from the back and, led by highly skilled central defender Emily Leeson, that’s exactly what they did. Their first 2 games against Romsey and Oxford Hawks finished 0-0. Then, after 2 losses on the bounce to Teddington and fiercely competitive Marlow, Manager Sara Riley decided a line-up re-shuffle was in order. The outcome opened up play for forward Amany Rus to go on a ball-carrying run from the halfway line and finish with a precision angled strike from the top of the D to score Lewes’ only goal and win of the tournament against Maidenhead.

Manager Riley, who will coach all these girls as they progress to Development league hockey next season, said of the team ‘With 1 win, 2 no score draws and 3 losses, the girls should be proud of their performance. They showed great team play and super skills. Well done girls!’

Team: Seren Sharpe, Emily Leeson, Georgie Martin, Maddie and Lucy Atkin, Coco Beck, Tess and Libby Youngman, Amany Rus and Hannah Williams