After 2 earlier qualifying rounds, the girls’ 1^st XI were delighted to again win the North East title last week at Wakefield, cementing Hill House’s reputation as one of the foremost hockey schools in the North.

In a fabulous display of passing and skilful hockey, the girls defeated Yarm School 6-1 in the semi-final, before progressing to the final against a competitive Ampleforth College side.

Despite going ahead 1-0 thanks to a penalty from Lulu Morrison-Parry, the tension of not extending the lead as the match wore on overcame the girls, who then conceded an equalizer from a rare opposition attack with only seconds left to play.

With the championship going to penalties, Maisie Ayton Nicholls was the heroine in goal, saving 2 of the Ampleforth attempts, leading to the winning conversion by a remarkably calm Lucy Hucknall, who was then buried beneath a sea of Hill House teammates.

The girls now move on to the National Finals, to be held in Nottingham in February.

Many congratulation to Mr Ross, Miss Dodds and all the squad!