Another Cheltenham Success

Marlborough again took two sides to Cheltenham, but due to sickness they were suddenly down to the bare minimum of 14 between the two sides. However, despite injuries and illness within the ranks, they battled through playing all of every game to come out on top.

The first game started with Marlborough against a strong Cirencester team. Eleanor Dennis was in goal due to an injured finger left her unable to hold a stick properly. Marlborough started brilliantly and were soon 2-0 up with Cecily Gates scoring both. However, Marlborough were unable to cope with Cirencester's tactic of hard hitting from the back to their 3 high forwards, leaving Sophia Hodge outnumbered at the back, and Cirencester scored 3 times in reply. Maybe the coach should have changed formation!
The second game the defence were solid, marshalled by Matilda Makin at the back and Marlborough snuck a 1-0 against Cheltenham with Cecily again scoring.
By this point, Eleanor was bored in goal and decided the finger could cope with outfield play! Well done to Sophia, Cecily and Anna White who stepped up to play a game in goal each for the remainder. The next game, against another Cheltenham team, Matilda scored to put Marlborough ahead but were probably guilty of trying to go up the middle of the pitch too much. Some midfield turn overs left us exposed at the back, and Cheltenham hit back 3 times to win.
Game 4 against East Glos was our best performance, with some great passing and using the wings to attack. Within seconds of the start Amilia Dornan giving a great pass into space up the wing for Sophia to run on to, just as the coach had drawn on the pre-match talk. Eureka! Marlborough had numerous chances to score and finally did with the last hit of the game, with Matilda winning it.
The last game against Landsdown proved tighter than it should have been. Evie Roan finally got to play in her favourite position in defence and did a great job. Cecily in goal somehow managed to make a brilliant save with the wrong leg! But otherwise it was all Marlborough and they had quite a few chances, Anna White going close on a number of occasions. But right as the hooter sounded Matilda got her 3rd of the day after a brilliant passage of play involving Sophia, Flora Low (subbing from the other team) and Matilda to open up the defence.
In total the team won 3 and lost 2, scoring 6 and conceding the same and overall seemed to have a brilliant time.

The second Marlborough team of Jess Worrow, Flora Low, Isla Ince, Freya Henry, Ursula Jeffery, Alice Rich and Ella Morriston had a great day, winning 2, drawing 2 and losing just the once. 6 goals scored and only 3 conceded. There was an incredible amount of effort put in by all the players, and some brilliant skills including reverse stick passing and beating opposition down their reverse side. They seemed to improve every game and really played for each other. The final game against Cheltenham could have been about 5-0 if it wasn't for some heroic goal line defending from the opposition.
The results were:
Game 1- Cirencester 0-0
Game 2 - Glos City 1-1 (Flora)
Game 3 - Wotton 2-0 (Freya & Isla)
Game 4 - Cheltenham 1-2 (Isla)
Game 5 - Cheltenham 2-0 (Freya & Isla)

Jess- brilliant goal keeping even when on the ground.
Ursula - excellent defending and coming out to tackle the opponent.
Freya- 2 good goals & reverse stick play
Isla - great stick work & non stop running.
Flora- great passing & a goal.
Alice - great stick work around opponents
Ella -great midfield play

Well done to all the girls, fantastic effort and play from all of them.

Thank you to Tom and Robin for umpiring again, and Hannah Ince for organising a team.