Rydal Penrhos pupils played a vital role in the recent triumph of their local hockey club’s U16 side.
Four members of the Rydal Penrhos First XI girls’ hockey side contributed to the sporting success of Eirias Hockey Club at the Welsh Cup qualifiers as the local side were crowned North Wales Under 16s Champions.
Lily Copeland, Charlotte Payne, Fflur Pierce and Keira Luke were all in action for Eirias Hockey Club, who conceded just one goal and scored seventeen during their five matches. Lily Copeland was the North Wales tournament’s highest scorer with seven goals and Charlotte Payne scored three.
Rydal Penrhos Prep School coach Jude Pyves, who was away attending training for Wales Over 55s at the weekend, has also been named Hockey Wales Club Volunteer of the Month.
A spokesman for the club’s junior section said: “The girls absolutely adore Jude and the success of this Under 16s Team comes down to all the hours she spends coaching and travelling with the club’s juniors. They could not have done it without your dedication and unselfish commitment. Thank you.”
The young Eiras Hockey Club team were able to field seven current First Team players and after a closely fought 1-1 draw with Dysynni in the opening game, they went on to win their next four matches without conceding a goal.
This included wins against Northop Hall, Bangor (despite the valiant efforts of Year 11 pupil Amelie Creer on the opposing side), Ruthin and Caernarfon. In this span of games, Rydal Penrhos pupils shone with Lily and Charlotte regularly on the scoresheet. The former was in outstanding goal scoring form, producing two-goal performances on three separate occasions.
Eirias Hockey Club and Bangor City will now go to the semi-finals on Sunday 3 March, alongside Penarth and Whitchurch from the south.
Well done to our Rydal Penrhos pupils and their club teammates, and thank you to Elsi Pyves and Michelle Dextor-Lowe for coaching. We take great pride in following the sporting accomplishments of both our pupils and staff, and eagerly look forward to seeing how the team will fare in the semi-finals.