Match Reports for Hockey and Netball against Longridge & IAPS Qualifiers
Belhaven Hill Match Reports for Hockey and Netball against Longridge & IAPS Qualifiers
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Girls' Netball
1st Team IAPS Qualifiers
Belhaven 15 – Strathallan 1
Belhaven 4 – Cargilfield 15
Belhaven 13 – Ardvreck 10
Belhaven 11 – St Mary’s 14
Belhaven 5 – Fettes 15
Final position 4th
Tournaments are always exciting events and the one today was no exception. We played a round robin of matches where the overall winners, Fettes, would represent Scotland at the finals.
Match 1: Strathallan, a team we had already played and narrowly beaten. The girls were off to a great start and dominated the court with their play. Clear passes, good use of space and it was lovely to see the girls use the ‘split and re offer’ drill we have been working on. Lourdes and Emily both played great defensive roles in this game, limiting the number of times Strathallan were in their shooting circle. Maggie and Clemmie were b this game, which proved to be a great warm up for the next matches.
Match 2: Cargilfield. We knew it was going to be tough having seen Fettes dominate them in their first match. The girls found this quite a physical game where they had to work hard on court to gain possession. Florence worked brilliantly as GD to create space in the defensive third and support Isla in the circle. Our central three players in Wendy, Ottilie and Eloise were key in keeping possession in the main third of the court. Despite the score line, play was from end to end the entire time but the Cargilfield defence was strong and good at intercepting our passes into our attacking circle. I was really proud of the way the girls played this match to keep a lower goal difference and play their hardest.
Match 3: Ardvreck was certainly a game of two halves. We played brilliant attacking netball, controlled our passes and took our time and defended our third well. With a good goal difference, the second half was then a different game. Ardvreck stepped up and we dropped back slightly, making some careless passes in the attacking and central third. We still secured a win, but the team knew it could have been a different final score.
Match 4: St Mary’s. Having just played them in a regular fixture, this was such an exciting match. Each team scoring from their centre pass, with St Mary’s then breaking ours to go ahead. I was delighted with the performance of the team in this match.
Match 5: Fettes, who had won all their matches so far and were then eventual winners. For me, this was the girls' best performance. Despite Belhaven playing back to back matches and beginning to tire, they showed true determination. They knew it would be tough and their aim was to limit the goal difference. Fettes had had some good matches already with a large goal lead against their opposition so for our team to finish with a difference of just 10 goals was amazing. The team played hard against a taller and more physical team and showed true Belhaven spirit. To be 7 nil down after 8 minutes and come back to score 5 goals in the second half was super.
Well done girls – this was such and exciting set of matches today and every one of you gave a full 100% to each game. I think our match scores tell a great story about how close some of the games were.
U11B Team
Coats were shed as the sun shone down in Berwick this afternoon. The U11B team did a great job and worked well as a team to achieve their victory.
Petra lead the team as Captain and impressed us all with her accurate shooting.
Cecily leaped across the court like a gazelle in GD and kept Longridge from scoring – she was everywhere they didn’t want her to be!
Lots of wonderful play from Grace who seemed to be where-ever Longridge were passing!
Thank you to Sienna, Meme and Holly for stepping in last minute and keeping the momentum going.
Fantastic job girls! Well done.
Belhaven U11B 9 - 3 Longridge U11B
U11C Team
Another impressive display and result from a depleted squad as Anastasia, Isobel and Sophia moved up to the Under 13 team to help with their fixture on what was a busy afternoon over the border in Berwick.
The girls were out of the traps quickly as they moved the ball with purpose down court into the attacking third. Once in the attacking D, Eliza and Rose made light work of their opportunities and shot us into an early 4-0 lead. Some excellent defending from Imogen at GD ensured the response from the Longridge attackers was dealt with immediately.
The second quarter saw more of the same as Holly at C, Sienna, Chloe and Meme continued to dominate the centre court and Cecily and Sylvia kept it tight at the back. More attacking fluidity led to Belhaven stretching their lead to 6 - 2 at Half Time.
In the second half, positions were changed to give girls more experience of playing around different areas of the court and the fluency understandably dropped a little but the intensity remained. They continued to create chances but with players playing in unfamiliar positions the accuracy of shooting dropped somewhat. This was a really pleasing performance backed up with a good attitude throughout the afternoon.
Well done, girls – back to winning ways – this has been an impressive first half of netball.
Belhaven U11A 9 - 4 Longridge U11A
U9 Team
On a day which was beginning to hint at spring with the sun shining with a cool breeze, Belhaven travelled to Longridge for a training session and potential match. The players were keen and most importantly polite to the opposition team and coach and enjoyed developing the skills needed for netball.
The sides agreed to play a match and Belhaven started the game on the front foot dominating possession and leading at the first quarter with a solitary goal to nil. The usual switch of positions took place and Belhaven began to take a strong hold of the game with racing into a 4-0 lead at the break. Longridge were producing some chances of their own, while producing a good challenge for our players, but could not find the target.
In the second half Belhaven continued to produce some good chances and while pushed by their opposition, Belhaven finished in the ascendency eventually winning the game 7-0.
Coach’s thoughts:
It was nice to be challenged this week. Belhaven met this challenge well and defended effectively while keeping the score board ticking over. What was most pleasing was the number of scorers on the score sheet this week. Annabel, Lexi, Annie, Jemima, and Holly all coming away with a goal or two. It is incredibly important not to overlook the work rate that goes into these goals though with Flora, Coren, and Cleo making vital contributions at important times.
Boys' Hockey
1st Team IAPS Qualifiers
The 1st boys headed off to the annual IAPS Reginal Qualifiers in good spirits, ready to be challenged and to show what they were capable of. This tournament is always both exciting and exhausting. This year there were ten teams involved, split into two groups.
The first stage was the group stages and Belhaven was drawn in a group with Sedbergh, Strathallan, St. Mary’s and Fettes. We got off to a great start, playing some excellent hockey to beat Sedbergh 1 – 0 and then followed this up with a convincing, 4 – 0 win against St. Mary’s with Ollie getting a hat-trick, though they did make things hard for us in the first half.
Strathallan, to whom we’d lost earlier in the season were next up and this was a very exciting game which swung from end to end. In the end, neither team managed to score and we were pleased with the draw which meant that a victory in our final group game, against Fettes, would put ensure that we qualified for the quarter finals.
The Fettes game got off to a great start when Wilbur fired one home from top D early on and then Hector added to that when he nudged one in from a penalty corner. We defended that lead and so ended the group stages having not conceded a goal and at the top of the group.
With the top two teams overall qualifying for the IAPS National Final Competition, the quarter final – where we were to meet Cargilfield – really was the crucial match: if we won that, we’d qualify. This proved to be another excellent game, with play swinging from end to end and with both team having opportunities to score. Cargi won a penalty corner just three minutes into the game and a fantastic strike saw the ball race past Harry to give them the lead. Though the boys threw everything they could into attack, they just couldn’t get the ball into the back of the net and when the final whistle sounded, we were still a goal down.
It was hugely disappointing for the boys as they really had thrown everything they had into the day and had played some tremendous hockey and come so very, very close. As it was, they still had one game to play and that was the 3rd / 4th place play-offs and here we met Strathallan, again. With the chance of qualifying gone, this game allowed the subs, who had been very patient, a chance to get a bit more game time and they certainly made the most of their opportunity, showing good control and attacking instincts. Ollie scored first with a super strike from a penalty corner but then in the second half, Strath came back strongly and managed to get two goals of their won, meaning that we ended in 4th place overall.
Though there is definitely some disappointment at not qualifying, it does not eclipse the fact that these boys are playing some outstanding hockey, competing every game, dominating many and proving themselves to be amongst the best on the circuit and getting better every game.
Final Scores:
Belhaven Hill 2 - 0 Sedbergh
Belhaven Hill 4 - 0 St. Mary's
Belhaven Hill 0 - 0 Strathallan
Belhaven Hill 2 - 0 Fettes
Belhaven Hill 0 - 1 Cargilfield
Belhaven Hill 1 - 2 Strathallan
Mr. T
U11A IAPS Qualifiers
Belhaven Hill’s U11 boys embarked on a challenging and exciting afternoon at the IAPS hockey tournament, held at Fettes College. With a strong emphasis on communication and teamwork, the boys faced a long afternoon of competitive fixtures, determined to showcase their progress.
Group Stage Battles
The team kicked off their day with a tightly contested 1-0 victory against Craigclown, thanks to a well-taken goal from Patrick. The boys demonstrated their ability to apply pressure and work together to secure the win.
Their second match saw them face a strong Sedbergh side, who proved to be tough opposition. Despite their best efforts, Belhaven fell to a 2-0 defeat.
The third match followed swiftly against St Mary’s, a familiar opponent. In another closely fought contest, St Mary’s managed to find the net once, leaving Belhaven with a 1-0 loss.
The final game of the group stage pitted Belhaven against Cargilfield, a formidable team. The boys battled hard, showing grit and determination. A crucial short corner led to a strike from Xander, which was well saved by the keeper, but Patrick was perfectly positioned on the post to convert the rebound. Despite their efforts, Cargilfield emerged as 4-1 winners.
With three points from their victory over Craigclown, Belhaven finished 4th in their group, which secured them a place in the Plate Semi-Finals.
Plate Semi-Final vs Strathallan
The semi-final saw Belhaven face Strathallan, a team that had finished 3rd in their group. Knowing the challenge ahead, the boys took on words of encouragement from Mr. Curry and Miss Watt (as well as some much-needed fruit pastilles!) to find renewed energy and aggression. Their response was outstanding—two fantastic goals, one from Monty and another from Patrick, sealed a 2-0 victory, securing a spot in the Plate Final.
Plate Final vs Fettes
Belhaven’s final test was against Fettes, who had just defeated St Mary’s in their semi-final. After a challenging group stage, reaching the final was an achievement in itself, but the boys weren’t done yet.
The game started with Monty putting Belhaven ahead with a well-executed goal. However, Fettes responded strongly, scoring twice to take a 2-1 lead. As the clock ticked down, fatigue set in, but the boys refused to give up. With just two minutes left, Belhaven’s top goal-scorer Patrick struck once more, bringing the game level at 2-2 just before the final whistle.
With the final unable to end in a draw, Golden Goal extra time was called—five minutes where the next goal would decide the winner. The tension was high, but Captain Xander stepped up when it mattered most, finding the back of the net within the first minute of extra time to seal a 3-2 victory and crown Belhaven Plate Champions!
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A Fantastic Team Performance
The day was a testament to the team’s resilience, determination, and growth. From a tough group stage to an unforgettable final, the boys showed remarkable team spirit and determination. A huge congratulations to the entire squad for their efforts—Plate winners at the IAPS tournament!
Remember – keep your head up and great things will come!
2nd Team
This week the U13 2nd boys put in a strong performance against Longridge, ensuring the whole match was both exciting and enjoyable to watch.
Right from the beginning, Belhaven took control of the match ball and soon dominated in our attacking D with Noah, Bertie and Juan playing beautifully together and each taking shots on goal. Although there many individual and enthusiastic shots the boys unfortunately shied away from following up which at times enabled the opposition to take control and drive the ball out of the D. However, Longridge did not progress far up the pitch as our strong defensive team: Tristan, Tommy and Fergus continually intercepted the match ball, skilfully passing it around the back where the ball quickly found its way back into our attacking D.
This dominant approach from the Belhaven boys ensured that Juan had a slightly quieter game this week but there was the occasional break from Longridge which enabled him to show off his excellent and consistent kicking skills. As the game progressed into the 2nd half and Will and Wilson joined the field, Belhaven continued to take numerous opportunities to attack the goal but disappointingly they just couldn’t get the ball past the keeper.
Throughout the whole game the team communicated extremely well, marked their players consistently and demonstrated both flair and determination on the ball. Although they did not manage to score on this occasion it is very clear they are getting stronger and more confident as team.
Player of the match: Fergus - For his strong and consistent defensive skills
Things to work on for next match: Positioning in the attacking D, shooting skills and following up on individual shots on goal.
Belhaven 2nd 0 - 0 Longridge Towers
U11B Team
The U11B team faced a tough challenge against Longridge, playing in wet and windy conditions upon arrival. However, as soon as the game began, the sun broke through, making for a lovely afternoon of hockey.
Belhaven started brilliantly, moving the ball fluidly up the pitch and scoring an early goal. Fred drove down the right wing, carried the ball into the D, and unleashed a powerful strike that deflected off the goalkeeper’s boot and nestled into the bottom right corner.
From that point, Longridge—fielding their A team—showcased their strength, transitioning quickly from defence to attack through the middle of the pitch. Our defence took some time to settle, sitting a little too deep, and if not for Leo’s outstanding goalkeeping, we could have fallen behind early. Leo made three incredible diving saves in quick succession, scrambling across his line to clear the ball miraculously with his stick.
Despite his heroics, Longridge eventually broke through, scoring twice in quick succession with some smart attacking play. Robin and Atticus worked tirelessly at the back, putting in crunching tackles to disrupt the opposition’s forwards. Meanwhile, William and Sandy battled up and down the wings, but luck was not on our side in front of goal.
Archie had a superb game in midfield, dictating play as he weaved through defenders and linked up defence with attack. William made a strong impact off the bench in defence, putting in some great tackles before an unfortunate fall on the astro left him with a painful burn, cutting his game short—a harsh blow on a cold February afternoon.
Despite the final score of 5-1 to Longridge, the boys showed great effort and resilience throughout. Well done to all for giving 100%, and a big thank you to the parents for their support on the sidelines!
Mr Brown
Result: Belhaven 1 – 5 Longridge
Players of the match: Leo & Archie
U11C Team
With the A team heading off to Fettes for an IAPS competition it provided the perfect opportunity for the Belhaven B team to play Longridge’s A side and in turn Belhaven’s C team to play Longridge’s Bs. There was some apprehension going into the match, with the boys wondering how good Longridge would be as a result, particularly as many of our boys had picked up a hockey stick for the first time only a few weeks ago.
I must say that I am seriously impressed with the improvement that many of them have made in the short space of time they have been playing. Structure on the pitch is key at this age group, as the boys can too easily get sucked into where the ball is, rather than keeping the width. James and Noah were formidable in defence, with Jaxon and Jonah often providing the release out wide with sensible passing. I was particularly impressed with both Dougal and Andrew who I felt had come on a long way in just a few weeks. Woody’s speed proved deadly, getting the ball into dangerous positions and creating chances on goal. Bertie too showed fantastic stick skills and was a constant threat in midfield and attack.
It was a tight battle, but I felt Belhaven always had the edge. Eventually a goal came after much pressure in the Longridge goal area, with Woody deservedly bagging the winner. Some great performances all-round.
Result: Belhaven 1 - 0 Longridge Towers
Goals: Woody
Man of the Match: Difficult to say, but special mentions to Dougal, Woody and Bertie.
