Kentish Express Ashford & District
Cup winners become national champions
Lacrosse
Benenden School are celebrating a rare double after winning the Rathbones National Schools Championship.
The victory follows the school’s triumph in the Vivien Jones Cup competition – a league between the top eight schools in the south of England.
Benenden ended two days of competition at Surrey Park in Guildford with a 3-0 victory over Lady Eleanor Holles School (Hampton) in the final. The win avenged a defeat by the same team in the pool stage, after a topsy-turvy second day.
Beaten quarter-finalists last year, Benenden completed day one with six wins.
The second day saw them experience a tough morning in the last-16 pool stage, with a draw and two defeats.
They finished third in their pool but rose to the challenge after a difficult draw in the knockout stages.
Benenden beat St Catherine’s and St Mary’s Calne before pulling off a golden-goal, semi-final victory over Downe House, after the teams finished level at 4-4, with overtime proving unable to separate the teams.
Benenden’s Scarlett Johnson was named best midfielder, also winning the Vivien Jones Memorial Award as most valuable player, with Eliza White claiming the prize for best attacker.
Benenden 2nds were also successful, finishing third in their competition after a 1-0 semi-final defeat against St Paul’s.
First team captain Freya Hopkisson, selected for England later this summer, said: “I can’t believe it.
“We’d had a fantastic season, beating all our main rivals, so it just came down to performing on the day.
“I’m so proud of the whole team. We did it and it feels amazing to be national champions.”
Headmistress Samantha Price said: “This is an amazing achievement. My congratulations go to all the girls and staff whose hard work has contributed to this triumph.” After a weekend of high winds and rain, local sea anglers found it tough going, The Dungeness Anglers were forced to switch venues from behind the power station to Littlestone due to large seas. Gavin Smith scratched out a win with 73cm, Phil Tanner was second (49cm) and Shane Edwards third (47cm). Many did not bother the scalesman in this tough match. The Shepway Club League started with Seabrook against Folkestone. The best for Folkestone was Marytn Reid with 9.755kg, which included two rays, with Seabrook angler Dean Thomas in second (4.745kg). Overall, Seabrook came out winners with 29 points. Cinque Ports Anglers were on their lakes at Beachborourgh and Les Foster was top rod with 12lb 10oz. Second spot went to Ted Lavender (10lb 13oz) and Brian Hooley was third (10lb 1oz). Don’t forget your rod and line licence will need to be renewed at the end of the month and there are now more options, so check your requirements before you buy. The latest Folkestone Sea Anglers match was a fish fest with Marytn Reid top rod (8.130kg). Lee Heaver was second (5.810kg) and Robert Harwood-Brown third (4.510kg). Five rays to 3kg-plus, dogs and whiting were in the bumper catches.