St Mary's Calne
More than 100 pupils across six teams showed grit and team spirit at the England Schools National Lacrosse Competition at Aldershot Garrison, the highlight of the school lacrosse calendar, with St Mary’s attending all four days with six different teams - and a big thank you to all the parents who supported the teams with treats, goodies, and their loud voices on the sideline.
Senior Nationals
The Senior 1st and 2nd teams set off on Friday evening, full of excitement, to compete in the England Lacrosse National Schools Championships. After arriving at the hotel, they enjoyed a well-earned dinner before diving into team meetings, reviewing strategies, and setting their focus for the weekend. Their key goals for the teams were to have fun and make things happen!
For some players, this was their first Nationals experience, for others, a return, and for a few, their last chance to represent SMC on this stage. The team woke on Saturday to glorious sunshine, and after a short trip to the venue, they were ready to take on the challenge ahead.
Before play began, England Lacrosse held a special tree-planting ceremony and a minute's applause in memory of Mr Leang. It was a touching tribute, and the players came together to honour someone who loved lacrosse and inspired so many. With his memory in their hearts, the team was even more motivated to give their absolute best.
Day 1: Group Stage
The 1st team kicked off against Walthamstow Hall. Despite an early two-goal deficit, the team quickly regrouped. Saphy found her rhythm, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to secure a well-earned victory.
Next up was a tough match against Godolphin. Although we fought hard, with goals from Coco and Saphy, we came up short. However, this loss served as a wake-up call - if we wanted to make the Championship division, we needed to win every remaining game.
With renewed determination, the team delivered a dominant 9-0 victory over Harrogate Ladies College, featuring five different goal scorers. The next challenge was the reigning 2023 champions, Putney. After falling behind, a goal from Honor levelled the score. Putney struck again, but SMC refused to back down - two fantastic goals secured a thrilling 3-2 victory!
The final group match against Bedford was another test, but the team stepped up once more. Molly made crucial saves, while Freya and Saphy found the back of the net for a 2-1 win. This result meant we finished second in our group and qualified for the Championship division!
That evening, the team took time to reflect, bond, and celebrate our Upper Sixth players before refocusing on Sunday’s big matches.
Day 2: Championship & Knockouts
Now in the Championship division, the competition intensified. The first match against St Swithun’s saw SMC race to a three-goal lead, but St Swithun’s clawed back to tie the game with under a minute left. In a heart-stopping moment, Esme intercepted a loose pass, sprinted down the pitch, and fired home the winning goal in the final seconds!
The next match against LEH was another nail-biter. SMC built a strong lead, but LEH snatched victory with a last-second goal (4-5). Against Wycombe, a yellow card left us short-handed, and despite battling hard, the opposition capitalised, resulting in a 1-3 loss.
Although these games didn’t go our way, SMC proved they could go toe-to-toe with the best teams in the country.
Final 16 Knockout: A Battle to the End
Making it to the final 16, SMC faced defending champions Moreton Hall. Our defence was exceptional, with Ruby, Claire, and Phoebe making key stops against their star players, and Molly coming up with huge saves. At halftime, the score was 1-1, thanks to a goal from Saphy. The match remained intense, with both teams locked at 2-2 as time ticked down. In the final moments, Moreton Hall managed to score just before the buzzer, ending our incredible run.
Although we didn’t advance further, SMC left the pitch with heads held high. Every player gave their all, showing skill, resilience, and teamwork throughout the tournament. This squad proved they are a force to be reckoned with - and they made SMC proud.
2nds
The 2nds Lacrosse team travelled to Nationals with high spirits and fierce face paint, ready to take on the competition. From the start, the team displayed excellent teamwork and determination, setting the tone for a thrilling weekend of lacrosse.
Day 1
The first match of the weekend saw the girls face off against Stowe School. The team demonstrated strong skills and coordination, securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory. With confidence growing, the team then took on a physical St George’s Harpenden side. Despite giving their all, the girls narrowly lost this match. Next, they faced Caterham, where they put on an outstanding performance, dominating the match with a convincing 5-1 win. The momentum continued to build as they faced Lady Eleanor Holles. Once again, the team delivered an impressive performance, coming out on top with a 6-1 win. The final game of Day 1 was crucial as it would determine the standings and could mean the difference between second or fourth place. In a great match against St Swithun’s, SMC held out for a draw, which secured second place in the table and a spot in the top division for the 19B competition - a fantastic achievement.
Day 2
The second day began with the team carrying forward their energy. While the girls faced some challenging fixtures in the pool rounds, they continued to demonstrate excellent teamwork and sportsmanship. Two losses and a great win against St Paul’s put the team in third place in the group, leading to a match-up against Wycombe Abbey in the first round of knockouts. The team rallied and fought their way to a 3-2 win, which put them into the quarterfinals against a powerful Guilford High 19B team. Despite a valiant effort, the team was knocked out of the competition, but Guilford High went on to win the Division 1 19B competition, proving their strength.
SMC secured an impressive Top 8 finish in the country, a remarkable achievement. The girls showcased incredible resilience, teamwork, and determination throughout the weekend. Their success is a testament to their hard work and dedication. A big thank you to all the parents who supported the team and to the girls for giving their best in every match.
3rds
The St Mary’s 3rd team kicked off their Nationals campaign with an intense first match against St Helen’s & St Katharine’s. The girls wasted no time setting the tone, scoring a goal within minutes! SHSK responded quickly, levelling the score at 1-1, and what followed was an end-to-end battle as both teams fiercely fought for control. With just minutes left, SHSK managed to break through and take the lead. St Mary’s fought hard to regain possession, pressing until the very last second, but the clock ran out, resulting in a hard-fought 2-1 loss.
With barely a moment to rest, the team refocused and prepared for their second match against St Catherine’s. Once again, St Mary’s delivered a strong performance, but St Catherine’s defensive wall held firm, making it difficult to break through. Despite their best efforts, St Mary’s lost 4-0.
After a well-earned break, the team took time to practice, fine-tune their tactics, and reset their mindset. Heading into their third match against Claremont, they were fired up and determined to turn things around - and they did! St Mary’s came out blazing, scoring straight from the draw. The defence was rock solid, securing the first clean sheet of the day, while the attack overwhelmed Claremont’s defence with quick passes and sharp movement. The final whistle blew, and St Mary’s celebrated a dominant 4-0 victory!
With momentum on their side, the 3rd team entered their last pool game stronger than ever. Up against a tough Wycombe Abbey squad, they stuck to their game plan, matching their opponents goal for goal. The aggressive attack and structured defence frustrated Wycombe, forcing them to fight for every inch of possession. The game remained finely balanced until the very last moments. With the score locked at 3-3, Wycombe managed to sneak in a last-minute goal, resulting in a 4-3 heartbreak for St Mary’s as the final buzzer sounded.
St Mary’s had done enough to qualify for the Division 1 Championship, earning their spot in the Round of 16. In their final match of the day, St Mary’s delivered their best lacrosse yet. The girls worked tirelessly in attack, defence, and transition, giving everything they had against a well-drilled St George’s side. The effort was immense, but in the end, St George’s edged them out, bringing St Mary’s Nationals run to an end in the Round of 16.
This team showed resilience, skill, and incredible determination throughout the day. They fought hard in every match, adapted to challenges, and proved they could compete at the highest level. A huge congratulations to every player for their grit, passion, and teamwork.
U15s
The U15s arrived at Nationals full of excitement and determination, eager to test themselves against top-level competition. Their first match was a closely fought battle, with plenty of scoring opportunities created throughout the first half. However, despite their efforts, the opposition managed to capitalise on their chances and took the win.
As the team settled into the competition, they grew in confidence, improving with each game. They began working more cohesively as a unit, with better passing, purposeful movement, and a stronger defensive structure. This progress was on full display in their final group match against Benenden, a fast-paced, hard-fought contest where every ball was fiercely contested. Both teams played with incredible intensity, and while Benenden ultimately claimed the win, SMC demonstrated their resilience, skill, and competitiveness.
Finishing the group stage set up a knockout match against a familiar rival - Sherborne. Stepping onto the pitch, the team knew they had more to give, and they rose to the challenge brilliantly. Izzy was outstanding in goal, making crucial saves to keep Sherborne at bay. The defensive unit stood strong, shutting down Sherborne’s attacking threats with discipline and determination. SMC’s attackers took charge, moving the ball confidently and finding the back of the net with three fantastic goals. The 3-0 victory was a testament to how far they had come throughout the tournament.
It was a tough but incredibly valuable Nationals for the U15s. They gained vital experience in high-pressure matches and showed remarkable growth and determination. With this competition under their belt, these players will carry their experience forward as they step up to the senior squads next year - ready to take on new challenges and make their mark.
U14s
The final day of Nationals marked a new experience for the U14 squad as they stepped onto the pitch for their first-ever nationals tournament. With 18 excited and determined players, they arrived at Aldershot bright and early, ready to take on some of the best school teams in the country. After setting up camp at the St Mary’s base, the girls wasted no time getting into a focused and energetic warm-up. Spirits were high, and despite knowing they were in for a tough day of competition, they were eager to rise to the challenge and make the most of this incredible experience.
The U14s were placed in a competitive pool, facing some of the strongest teams in the tournament. Right from the start, they threw themselves into every match with determination and teamwork. In the first match, St Mary’s battled hard, creating several goal-scoring opportunities, but Queen Anne’s capitalised on their chances more effectively, winning 5-1.
In their second match against Benenden, a team they had never played before, St Mary’s showed great improvement, working tirelessly in both attack and defence. Despite their efforts, the opposition edged ahead, and the game finished 4-1 in Benenden’s favour. St Albans was another unfamiliar opponent, but the girls gave it their all. Despite brilliant saves from Georgia in goal, St Albans found gaps in the defence and secured a 6-1 win.
The final group game saw St Mary’s face Wycombe Abbey, a team they had met before and knew would be a tough challenge. Georgia once again made incredible saves in goal, but Wycombe’s attack was relentless. Although St Mary’s kept fighting until the final whistle, Wycombe came away with the win.
Despite a challenging group stage, the girls never let their heads drop. They had faced some of the strongest teams in the competition and had shown real progress with every match. More importantly, they demonstrated determination, teamwork, and resilience - qualities that would be essential for the knockout stage.
The first knockout round matched them against Cheltenham Ladies’ College. The team knew this match was crucial, as there was no overtime - if the game ended in a draw, the team that scored first would progress. St Mary’s got off to a brilliant start, with Ava striking early to put them in the lead. This goal turned out to be vital, as the match ended in a 2-2 draw - but because St Mary’s had scored first, they moved on to the quarter-finals!
Reaching the quarter-finals was a huge achievement for the U14s, and they went into their match against Abbots Hill School determined to keep their run going. From the first whistle, St Mary’s dominated the game, holding the majority of possession and creating multiple shots on goal. The attack worked tirelessly, passing and moving with precision, while the defence stood strong, blocking Abbots Hill’s advances. The match remained locked at 0-0, leading to double overtime golden goal. Both teams fought for control, but neither could break the deadlock. Unfortunately, as time ran out, the game had to be decided by which team finished as the higher seed from the group stages, and the opposition progressed.
It was a heartbreaking end to an incredible day, but the girls had every reason to be proud. For the U14s' first-ever Nationals, this was an unforgettable experience in which they grew as a team. Huge congratulations to every player for their hard work, perseverance, and fantastic attitude throughout the tournament! Well done, U14s! We couldn’t be prouder!
U13
The St Mary’s U13 team arrived at Nationals eager to experience their first-ever nationals tournament. They were determined to learn, improve, and compete.
The opening game against Bedford Girls was challenging, with the opposition bringing a physical style of play. St Mary’s took a little time to adjust to the pace, and by halftime, they had regrouped, refocused, and started to close down spaces more effectively. Although they worked hard to slow Bedford’s attacking momentum, their opponents proved too strong and took the win. Despite the result, the match served as a valuable learning experience, helping the team identify areas to build on.
After a short break, St Mary’s went straight into their next match against Claremont. This time, St Mary’s looked more settled, focusing on their defensive shape and attacking movement. They fought to break through Claremont’s defensive line and began to show real promise in their passing and movement off the ball. While St Mary’s were able to score, the opposition converted more goals. The team was beginning to grow into the tournament, adapting and learning with each game.
In the third match of the day, the attack became more dynamic, with players driving aggressively toward goal and testing the opposition’s defence. The team played with more intensity, showing real tenacity in ground-ball battles. This match was closely contested, and St Mary’s dug deep for a hard-fought draw.
Going into their final pool match against Caterham, the girls were hungry for victory and determined to put everything they had into the game. The contest was fierce, with both teams desperate for the win. St Mary’s played with renewed confidence, using sharp passing, clever movement, and aggressive attacking play to create chances. With just seconds left on the clock, St Mary’s won a crucial free position shot. Showing great composure, they scored, securing a last-second 3-2 victory!
Progressing into the Round of 16, St Mary’s faced St Albans High School. Unfortunately, they were unable to get past the Albans goalkeeper, who made several vital saves, keeping St Mary’s from converting their chances. Despite a gritty and hard-fought performance, the match ended in a 2-0 defeat, bringing St Mary’s tournament run to a close.
The St Mary’s team gave their all, showing outstanding team spirit, adapting and improving with every game, and supporting each other throughout. This was a fantastic first Nationals experience, and the girls left the tournament inspired and excited for what’s to come.
Mr David Abini, Head of Lacrosse