Friends’ girls teams all charge through in cup competitions

Senior players Sarah Jane Jamieson (Vice-Captain) and Chloe Howes (Captain) are looking forward to leading the team against Methody at Friends School with push back at 9:30am on Saturday. All support would be greatly appreciated. (Not pictured: Vice-Captain - Caragh Milligan).

The U14s, captained by Emma Harkin, won a closely contested match with local rivals. Victoria Hunter scored the all-important goal for Friends’.

The Third XI and 2BXI maintained the high level of success in the Gibson Cup competition. Played on a league basis at the outset, the Third XI captained by Helen Graham won both matches against Lagan College and Banbridge Academy A which was enough to win the section.

The 2BXI, led by Hannah McFall, convincingly defeated all in their section – BRA, Portadown College and Grosvenor Grammar. Both teams look forward to the draw for the last 16 in the competition.

The Friends teams will benefit from the experience of representative players Rachel Barnes, Rosie Henderson and Amy Brown.
They all recently represented Ulster in the Interprovincial Championships. Rachel and Amy played for the Under 16 squad and Rosie for the Under 18s. — The Friends teams will benefit from the experience of representative players Rachel Barnes, Rosie Henderson and Amy Brown. They all recently represented Ulster in the Interprovincial Championships. Rachel and Amy played for the Under 16 squad and Rosie for the Under 18s.

The Second XI had the long journey to Castlederg HS to play their first match in the McDowell Cup campaign. After a tentative start, they scored their first goal. Castlederg were very determined and with a partisan crowd on the side line, Friends’ needed the second goal just before half-time to feel in control of the match. The score remained 2-1 much to the delight of captain Leah Black.

The Firsts faced Grosvenor Grammar in their opening match in the Senior Schools’ Cup. Captained by Chloe Howes, the Friends’ team made an edgy start. Nerves were definitely playing a part.

However, after 14 minutes they broke down a hard-working Grosvenor defence when they converted their second penalty corner. At half-time, the score was 3-0, but it took a calm Friends’ defence to hold out to a Grosvenor penalty corner right on the whistle.

Friends’ continued their dominance in the second half winning 5-0 but Grosvenor competed to the last.

The Firsts now go forward to the next round of the cup against Methody at Friends’ School at 9:30am tomorrow (Saturday).

All support would be greatly appreciated.