Rotherham Under 12 Girls travelled to Halifax on Sunday for the final session of the Yorkshire Youth Under 12 Hockey League and returned County Champions!

In the 24 Team Tournament, split into 4 Leagues, Rotherham have finished 2nd in the Top League for the last 4 months, with arch rivals Wakefield winning all previous sessions as well as being undefeated throughout the whole season. However it was yesterday’s fixtures that determined the overall finishing positions so a determined Rotherham team arrived in Halifax knowing it was winner takes all.

In their first game of the day against Halifax, Rotherham struggled to find their normal rhythm but a late deflected goal by Lucy Cook, and some fine defending by Amanda Thickett and a wonderful reaction save by 9 year old Georgia Crowther gave them the perfect start they required, but this also provided a quick reality check that the season was not going to be decided by the final game of the day against Wakefield.

In their next game against newly promoted Kirklees, they started a lot stronger and convincingly won 3-0 with goals coming from Lucy Cook, Emma Bray and Georgina De`Ath, ably supported by some excellent midfield work from Sarah Hartley and Emily Hill. Kingston-upon-Hull were there next opponents and had already shown from their previous games that they were a strong and competitive unit who could cause teams problems. Rotherham took the lead from another goal from Lucy Cook but then conceded a late equaliser with the final score ending 1-1.

The penultimate game was played against City of York, who on previous meetings had proved difficult to beat, but again the girls picked themselves up from the previous games disappointing draw, and two well struck penalty corners by Captain Emma Bray proved the deciding goals of the game.

As was hoped and anticipated, the final game of the season against Wakefied had now become a Cup Final, however Wakefield`s day had not gone to plan and although they had won 3 of their 4 games, they had suffered a shock 0-0 draw against Kingston-upon-Hull, which due to league rules of only 1 point for a no score-draw and 2 points for a score draw, resulted in Wakefield having to beat Rotherham to retain the Yorkshire title they won last season.

The Rotherham Girls started the `Final` game very positively and resolute, and quickly showed they had learnt from their previous meetings against their opposition by giving them no time or space on the ball, but also by trying to keep them penned in their own half by using the whole length of the pitch. Wakefield were restricted to one penalty corner opportunity which was charged down by Emma Bray, and a couple of goalmouth scrambles which were handled superbly by the Rotherham defence of Alice Clegg, Kate Licence and Goalkeeper Georgia Crowther. Along with Emma Bray, Pippa Humphries and Georgina De`Ath, marshalled the midfield tremendously, preventing the Wakefield team from creating any clear goalscoring opportunities, and Lucy Cook led the attacking line by providing the the outlets and nearly scored a brilliant deflected shot into the roof of the net, which unfortunately hit the unaware Wakefield goalkeeper in the chest and was scrambled to safety. In the end Wakefield pushed for the winning goal but a gritty Rotherham performance forced the draw required and the celebrations began on the final whistle.

Unfortunately this is the final season of Under 12 hockey for Emma Bray, Alice Clegg, Emily Hill, Pippa Humphries and Amanda Thickett who now move up an age group, but this was a wonderful way to end their Under 12 careers. Yorkshire Champions!!

Click here for all the photos.

Back Row - Pippa Humphries, Lucy Cook, Emma Bray, Amanada Thickett, Coach Bray
Front Row - Kate Licence, Sarah Hartley, Georgina De`Ath, Emily Hill, Alice Clegg
Front Front Row - Georgia Crowther