Netball:
North West regional finalists
Both the U14 and U16 netball teams qualified for the North West regional finals on Saturday which where held at Stonyhurst College.
Both teams reached the regional finals unbeaten playing 10 matches along the way to achieve this at both the Eden district and county rounds.
Although KSGS have had teams through to the finals in previous years, both the U14 and U16 squads managed it this year by winning the county round against a strong Sedbergh team .
North West netball is one of the strongest regions to complete in and although the competition was tough the players presented their school with great pride and outstanding team work and support.
For a small school, with small squad numbers this is an amazing achievement. These players train twice a week every week and never fail to turn up to practice. Hard work really does pay off. A massive well done to all the players.
Hockey:
Bronze Medals at Nationals !
The KSGS U18 hockey team have had an outstanding year. Their journey to nationals started back in September where they achieve the Cumbria county title.
From here the team travelled to Lancaster University to play within the Northwest regional finals playing teams form the Isle of Man, Liverpool and Wilmslow. The team won this round convincingly scoring 10 goals and only conceding 3 goals from the three wins.
This newly formed team which is made up of both some expectational experienced players and young talent, joining year groups from year 10, 11 and the 6th form, the majority of which play adult hockey for Kirkby Stephen hockey Club.
The team left KSGS at 05.30am on Monday morning to travel to the England hockey Centre based at Nottingham, to participate within the National hockey finals. After a long journey the team took to the pitch facing a team from South central , Reading Blue Coats. After many shots at goal the team broke through to win 1-0 which helped to settle any nerves. For the next game we faced Shrewsbury from the Midlands, winning 2-0 with some great finishes from Martha Bainbridge. Going into the final group game against the East’s Bishop’s Stortford, the team got a hard-fought draw against a very well drilled squad. Finishing joint top of their pool, the team saw themselves missing out on playing within the final on goal difference, by one goal.
Although starting with no expectations the team was really disappointed but managed to lift themselves for the bronze medal against the Southeast team, Caterham. This match saw the girls get a second wind and playing their best hockey with more freedom and more expansive play, leading to a 3-2 victory and the bronze medals (goals Martha Bainbridge 2 and Tilly Rose 1) .
Martha Bainbridge was also the top goal scorer of the tournament.
I am so proud of the whole team, with special mention to the four 6th form players, Tilly Rose, Martha Bainbridge, Jessica Sansom for being great role models for the younger players and to Erin Treece for being an outstanding captain throughout the tournament. Also having travelling family and friends helped to boost the players during the tight matches.
For such a small school their achievements have blown my mind. This team has played 13 matches throughout the year, winning 12 and drawing one for the season. One the day KSGS had the smallest and youngest squad registered to participate and where also the only state school in the competition. Well done to everyone involved, making memories that myself and all the players will never forget.
