2010 – 2011

Men’s Captain: Josh Turner

Women’s Captain: Jordan Phillips

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

The Queen’s Ladies’ hockey season 2010/11 commenced with an anxious College Freshers’ Fair at the start of Michaelmas Term. Fresh blood was needed to bolster the team after the graduation of several players at the end of last year, but unfortunately only a few willing names were collected. This was to set the tone for the Queen’s league campaign during Michaelmas. There was a core of seven girls who were talented, committed and keen to play, but usually only three were available at one time. Obviously, numbers were too low to form a competitive team, which meant that in fact no league matches were played, and Queen’s remained in Division 3.

In order to rectify this, the decision was made over the Christmas vacation to amalgamate the team with that of St Hilda’s College, whose captain had been experiencing similar difficulties in Michaelmas. Consequently, the combined ladies’ hockey team of Queen’s and St Hilda’s colleges began their Cuppers campaign in Hilary Term with renewed optimism. Having been given a bye for round one, Quilda’s came up against a goalkeeperless Brasenose side in the second round, winning 3-1. The semi-final, also played at St Gregory the Great Catholic School on Cowley Road, saw Quilda’s face Worcester College. The sizeable ranks of the opposition (Worcester having brought at least five substitutes) were no match for Quilda’s superior skill, and the team ran out winners again, the final score being 3-2.

Anticipation mounted daily in the run up to the Cuppers final, which was scheduled for the morning of Sunday 6th May. When The Day Of Reckoning finally dawned, it was encouraging to see a band of Queen’s supporters at the Iffley Road pitch, ready to cheer Quilda’s on. The New-Pembroke side was much more accomplished than that of the previous opponents – and the team’s game definitely had to be raised. While Quilda’s were first on the score sheet, New-Pembroke went on to equalize, and the game was tensely fought. However, a well worked short corner in the last few minutes of the game allowed St Hilda’s player Amy Ricketts to score, sealing the victory for a jubilant Quilda’s squad.

In honour of their success, the team was treated to a formal celebration dinner on 19th May courtesy of Queen’s College, which was a great way to round off an excellent season. Thanks are due to all who turned out to play, and did so enthusiastically. Claire Durrans, Sapphire Yi-Dyer and Anna Coad, who leave College this year, will be sorely missed.