Footballers make history
Palmerston North Girls’ High School’s first XI took an early lead in their New Zealand secondary schools tournament third-place playoff match.
However, a second-half comeback from Epsom Girls’ Grammar meant Girls’ High narrowly missed the bronze placing in Taupo¯ , but still achieved their best ever finish at the top-32 nationals. Last year, the team was 15th.
Girls’ High took a 1-0 lead into halftime after an excellent finish from captain Anna Robson. But, following a mix-up at the back, Epsom drew level. Epsom then stole another goal against the run of play and Girls’ High could not get the equaliser.
In the semifinal against Baradene College (Auckland), Girls’ High toiled hard with aching legs, but lost 4-1. The classy Baradene outfit got away to an early 2-0 lead, however, the response was swift from Girls’ High and at halftime they were down just 2-1. But Baradene scored another two unmatched goals in the second half.
In pool play, the team faced St Andrew’s, of Christchurch, the fearsome Mt Albert Grammar School, last year’s finalists and past winners, and Onslow College (Wellington).
The first game against St Andrew’s showed Girls’ High’s form as they built their passing game from the back and scored three goals slotted by Lydia Bamford, Jess Falloon and Freya Partridge-moore. This enabled Girls’ High coach Terry Wood to get all the team on the park and bank three points for the 3-1 win.
Given their history, MAGS had the potential to intimidate any team. After conceding an early goal, Girls’ High’s reply was swift, with Bamford unleashed down the right wing before sending a pinpoint pass to Kate Mori, who calmly netted the equaliser. In the second half Girls’ High pushed forward for a winner, with Mori just missing an impressive solo effort, the game finishing in a draw.
The pressure of favouritism didn’t get to Girls’ High, who secured a 4-0 win, with goals from Bamford, Falloon, Ella Lawton and Mori. This ensured the team was through to the top16 section. Courtney Stead, Abby Rankin, Abby Sterling and Georgie Furnell also performed strongly. In the second round, Girls’ High met Rangitoto College, New Zealand’s largest secondary school and full of national reps.
This was a high-quality game. Girls’ High’s back four of Samara Kells, Kate Watson, Kristen Beattie and Molly Woodhead were outstanding, as in the previous games.
Goalkeeper Aoife Gallagherforbes was also in top form, pulling off full-stretch saves. With only a few minutes remaining, Gallagher-forbes cleared the ball to Mori, who burst through the middle of the park before weighting a perfect pass to whippet Bamford, who slotted the winner. This sent the team into the top eight and supporters rejoicing.
The quarterfinal against Otumoetai College saw Partridge-moore head home the opening goal. Tyler Wood was influential and soon it was 2-0, with Bamford netting. A dubious penalty to Otumoetai meant a tense last 25 minutes, but Girls’ High held on.