Hockey Grand national for hockey girls THE under-16 hockey team at King Edward and Queen Mary and the under-14s from Arnold School progressed to the North West finals of the the national schools tournament at Preston Sports Arena. It needed good goalkeeping by Haley Shepherd of KEQMS to keep Ripley St Thomas out in the first half of the opening under-16 match but then Olivia Swift opened the deadlock, adding a second before Katie Holder completed the 3-0 win. In a tight derby against Arnold, KEQMS fell behind early to a Georgina Read goal but hit back to equalise through Holder as they regrouped after an injury to Beth Grey. Needing to beat Kirkham GS to clinch top spot, they took a 2-0 half-time lead through Gabby Worral and Hannah Crawshay. Swift slotted home a third from Worrall’s fine cross to end any doubts and captain Ellie Rimmer lifted the trophy. A 1-0 defeat to Kirkham had cost Arnold dear in their first game, though they finished runners-up after beating St Thomas 3-2. Arnold’s Under-14s got off to a flying start with a 2-0 win over KEQMS as Katie Goodacre scored the only first-half goal from a Holly Monterio pass. Clinched Sophie Akhtar and keeper Eleni Cullen were exceptional at the back before Lara Cherry clinched the win. Kirkham beat KEQMS 5-0 to set up a winner takes all decider with Arnold. Kirkham scored first but Lara Cherry equalised before half-time after Rachel Fackey had made an excellent break. Holly Monterio scored the winner. But Arnold Under-18s missed out to Lancaster Girls on goal difference. The teams shared a 2-2 draw as Arnold twice came back from behind. Dani Bamber scored both, including the last-minute equaliser from a superb Sophie Oliver pass. However, they had to settle for a 1-0 win over Kirkham as Cara Smith snatched a late winner, and Lancaster’s 3-0 win over Kirkham sent them through. KEQMS teams were unbeaten in matches at home to Liverpool school Archbishop Blanch, with three wins and a creditable draw for the depleted under-15s. The first XI got back into their winning ways with a 2-0 win and excellent performances from Fiona Kerr and Elizabeth Hodgson. Singleton scored five in the under-14s’ impressive 6-0 win, while the under-13 triumphed 8-0, with a hat-trick by Coughlin and two each for Alderson and Livesey. King Edward and Queen Mary School under 16s Arnold School u14s Email us and tell us about your stories!