Cranleigh Hockey Players take Centre Stage

Cranleigh’s hockey players have had a busy few weeks. Charlotte Calnan (UVI West) played for the first time for a full England side. Sitting between Kate Richardson-Walsh (now the most capped English player ever) and Alex Danson in the changing room was an interesting introduction to team tactics before playing Ireland! She then played two games for the England u21 side against Germany and got on the score sheet a number of times as the England girls put in some good performances. Last weekend she played for Surbiton Ladies who retained their National title.

Five Cranleighans represented England under 16s against the traditionally strong Dutch in a series of three matches: Zoe Allchurch, Izzy Petter and Amy Thompson took part in three of the closest games that the England girls have had for many, many years. Taking the lead after 5 minutes in the first game, England were then put under a lot of pressure in the second half and the Dutch managed to score two to win. The second game saw another close contest with the Dutch sealing the win in the last minute 3-1. The final game was the tightest of all with the score at 2-2 with 90 seconds to go, but once again the Dutch sneaked a goal at the death to complete a 3-2 win.

Harry Gough and Taylor Seager-Green travelled to Holland for their set of matches. The Dutch turned on the style in the first match to win 5-2 although the second game saw England leading 2-1 going into the last couple of minutes only for the Dutch to get the equaliser in the last minute. Another good first half in the final game saw the sides tied at 1-1, but this time it was England who kicked on and scored three goals to record a memorable 4-1 victory.

Finally no less than 11 Cranleighans took part in the U16 club National Finals at Lee Valley: joining the above were Fifi Robinson and Autumn Brown playing for the victorious Surbiton side; Marco van Raalte playing for Guildford and Rory Calnan, Harry Gough, Taylor Seager-Green and Leo Thompson who were part of the victorious boys Surbiton side.