ON the first weekend of the school holidays in July, the Crookwell Girls Under 13 Hockey team travelled to Albion Park to compete in the under 13 half state championships.
Crookwell's first game was at 8pm on the Friday night in very cold and windy conditions.
The team played against Southern Highlands and played some good constructive hockey. Emily Selmes was a standout at right half until she fell heavily and had to leave the field.
Although Crookwell fought hard the team lost 1-0.
On Saturday, Crookwell played three games.
The first one was against Macarthur. Crookwell dominated this game with Abbey Maher scoring two goals. Shania O'Brien, playing right inner, was unstoppable and was best player in this match. Crookwell won 2-0.
Our next challenge was against Orange 2. Although this team was much smaller than our girls, they proved to be formidable opponents. Crookwell pressed their defence on many occasions only to be denied the goal.
Finally the Crookwell girls were able to break through with Abbey Maher clinching the victory to make the final score 1-0. This gave Abbey best player for this match.
The final match on Saturday was against Illawarra and this was a must win for Crookwell to secure second position in our pool which would guarantee a Semi-Final bout on Sunday.
The girls played their best hockey thus far getting their passing game and drive into the circle down pat. Alice Banfield scored two quick goals making the final score 2-0 to Crookwell. Meg Harrison's enthusiasm and penetrating hits into the opposition's circle won her player of this match.
On Sunday the Crookwell came up against Lithgow.
Although Crookwell dominated and had many raids into Lithgow's circle only to be denied by Lithgow's great defence. Although a number of short corners were given to Crookwell, unfortunately the girls were unable to convert these into goals.
Crookwell controlled their game well and only a lapse in concentration allowed Lithgow to score against the run of play. The final result being 1-0 to Lithgow. The whole team tried their hardest with Olivia Branson showing great ball control earning her best player of this match.
The under 13 Crookwell team of Courtney George, Bethany Lyons, Emily Evans, Emily Spackman, Alice Banfield, Abbey Maher, Ella Picker, Emma Picker, Amy Parry, Samantha Picker, Olivia Branson, Meg Harrison and Shania O'Brien can be proud of the way in which they played and how they conducted themselves.
The team certainly made Crookwell hockey proud. I thank all the girls for their sportsmanship and I could see a big improvement in each carnival they played in. Well done girls, I am proud to have the opportunity to have coached you this year.
I must give a big thank you to all the parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and relatives for their support of the team and getting the girls to each carnival.
Also, I give a special thank you to the Manager of the team, Simone Maher, and Assistant Coach, Shelley Parry, for all their work in assisting me and for the organisation of the team.
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