Moreton Hall School near Oswestry, Shropshire, has brought home the coveted U19 National Schools Lacrosse Championship cup for the first time, beating Godolphin in the final.
Although one of the smallest schools in the competition, Moreton Hall’s reputation in lacrosse is strong, with a number of English and Welsh U19 players in the squad. Last year, they were runners up in the same competition.
Writing on their website, National Schools Lacrosse said: “The Shropshire school went one better than last year’s second place by recovering from going behind early in the final to win 4-3 in a pulsating contest to seal a memorable victory for the players and their supporters.”
Cheering on the sidelines, Moreton Hall parent Heather Pickering said: “I think we will be celebrating this historic achievement for a long time following a weekend with many heart-in-mouth moments.
“The girls knew there would be some very tough matches against schools with umpteen subs, coaches and even physios. But our girls went out there keeping their eyes on the prize, with some fabulous tactics up their sleeves and got the job done”.
Principal Michael Brewer, who watched the team play, commented: “What an event, what an outcome. This was a victory many years in the making: a tribute to the expertise of our coaching staff, the talent and tenacity of our girls, and the unwavering support of the families that have cheered from the sidelines hour after hour in all weather conditions.”
Head coach Carina Walsh said: “I can’t put into words what this means for the players, the staff, and this school. We are a small school from the North and have achieved the ultimate prize”.
U19A captains Emma Barnes from Oswestry and Karina Henshaw from Altrincham said: “The moment was surreal, no words can describe how it felt in that moment to lift the trophy with cheers from our friends and family.
The U15s competition was won by St Swithun’s, Winchester as they came from behind to defeat Claremont Fan Court in Surrey.
Further results from the competition, which runs until March 12, are expected soon.