Thirsk fielded a girl’s indoor team for the very first time. The competition was a round robin event, and Thirsk opened up against Doncaster. It was a closely contested game, Marianne Morrice in the Thirsk goal was kept busy, and Summer Marshall and Georgie Turner did well in defence. The deadlock was broken by Jess Merrin, getting a close range flicked goal. Result Thirsk 1-0 Doncaster.
The second match was against the eventual winners Ben Rhydding. Thirsk did not play that well, and were somewhat intimidated by the fact that an ex Thirsk player was the main threat against them. Ben Rhydding ran out comfortable 4-0 winners.
The next game was with Wakefield, and Thirsk were still reeling from the previous game, and conceded early on. However, they then started to play the hockey they had shown in training. Firstly Megan Allen, got her first ever indoor goal with a confident finish at the far post, and then Millie Simenacz slid home her first of the day as Thirsk ran out 2-1 winners.
Huddersfield had lost all their games to this point, but Thirsk did not find it easy. It was well into the second half before a pass from Oona Webster-Jones found Millie and she beat the goal keeper. Millie got herself a second goal soon after to complete a 2-0 win.
The penultimate game was against Bowdon, and Thirsk were in control from the start in this one, Amelia Borchard running the show from centre midfield. Georgie scored from a drag flick at the first penalty corner. Then this was followed by goals from Millie and Jess to complete the 3-0 win.
At this stage with Thirsk having a final game against Brooklands to come, we were lying in second place (top 2 qualifying for the National finals). Brooklands played their penultimate game against Doncaster knowing they had to win to have a chance to overtake Thirsk. It was a close affair, Brooklands took the lead, Doncaster equalized, Brooklands retook the lead with minutes to go. Doncaster were awarded a penalty corner as the final whistle blew. The drag flick was headed goal wards, only for the Brooklands goal keeper to pull off an amazing save.
So Thirsk needed to avoid defeat with Brooklands to qualify for the National finals. The 18 minute game was going to plan at 0-0 after 12 minutes mainly thanks to both goal keepers pulling off some fine saves. Both Millie and Megan were so close to scoring. Then an injury to Summer unsettled the team slightly as she was in some pain. Thirsk kept out the resultant penalty corner, but a minute later conceded, with a well taken lifted finish over an advancing Marianne. Thirsk tried to push for an equalizer, but in doing so let Brooklands in for a second to complete a 2-0 win.
Final standings – Ben Rhydding 18 points, Brooklands 13 pts, Thirsk 12 pts, Wakefield 10 pts, Doncaster 4 pts, Bowdon 4 pts, Huddersfield 0 pts.
Well done to the whole squad for playing so well in their first ever tournament, and for coming so close to qualifying for the National finals.