The 2019 season mirrored the achievements of the 2018 team – 5th place in the Christchurch competition and runners up at tournament. The team were largely settled from 2018, with only 3 new additions – Rhia Hewett, Jade Lewington and Madeleine Iro all making their debuts for the First XI this season.

The Wednesday competition followed a similar pattern to previous years – strong performances some weeks and not so good the week after. The lack of consistency caused by illness and other commitments lead to missing out on the semi-finals and finishing 5th overall with an exciting win against Avonside Girls’ High School.

The team travelled to Whangarei this season for the Kathy Seaward Satellite Tournament. Teams from throughout the North Island competed in the tournament, with Christchurch Girls’ the only team from the South Island. The girls started off pool play with a straightforward 6-0 win against Thames and followed up with a closer 2-0 win over Lynfield College. The highlight of the day was Abby Murphy’s screamer against Lynfield College, a wonderful strike from 25m that flew into the back of the net and gave the goalkeeper no chance.

The second day was not as easy as the first. The weather deteriorated significantly, and both games were played in strong winds and driving rain. The third game of pool play was against Glendowie College, and despite taking the lead we eventually lost 3-1, with Glendowie defending strongly to frustrate our team and scoring 3 late goals. The second game of the day was against One Tree Hill College, played in farcical conditions on supposedly the number one ground. Most of the pitch was under water, making it almost impossible to play football. The conditions dictated the quality of the match, and Girls’ High managed to run out 3-1 winners, with Hannah Thomson registering a well taken hattrick.

Wednesday dawned a much better day weather wise, with the girls knowing a strong result against Kristin School would take them into the quarter finals. The game was moved to another local pitch at Korupupu (the best one we played on all week) and the girls delivered a very strong performance, running out 8-1 winners. This set up a quarter final match against Selwyn College, with girls turning in another strong performance to run out 3-0 winners. We played Selwyn in Wellington two years ago, and in their tradition they named Lani Te Whero as our best and fairest player for the match and awarded her a box of chocolates. This was a touching gesture which the whole team appreciated.

The semi-final was against Mt Roskill College, and the match was a very tight affair. Freya Lodge Whitham scored the only goal for Girls’ High, but the team couldn’t hold on and eventually finished the match 1-1. This meant a penalty shoot out would determine who would advance to the final. Girls’ High won the toss and opted to go first. Abby Murphy, Hannah Thomson and Darsha Keogan all converted their penalties, while Madeline Iro in goal managed one save and watched 2 other penalties miss the goal entirely. For a Year 9 in goal to hold her nerve facing penalties from predominantly senior players was amazing to watch, and we are very lucky to have a goalie of Madeleines calibre in our team. This result set up a rematch of our pool game against Glendowie in the final.

The final was a largely disappointing affair – very few of the other teams at the tournament stayed to watch the game and the weather was quite changeable, ranging from bright sunshine to driving rain. Girls’ High had the majority of the play in both halves but could not find the finishing touch to some excellent moves. The girls did bundle the ball into the goal in the second half, but the goal was harshly ruled out for interference on the opposition goalkeeper. Normal time finished with the scores locked at 0-0. Unfortunately, Girls’ High conceded a goal in the first period of extra time and could not find a way to unlock the strong Glendowie defence. The game finished with Glendowie defending with all their players, but we just couldn’t find the finishing touch and lost the match 1-0. Darsha Keogan was named the MVP for the tournament.

The team farewells 3 Year 13 players this season – new comer Rhia Hewett, Siobhan Regan and captain Lily Aynsley. Lily has played in the team since Year 9 and has played over 80 competitive games for the First XI. Her presence and leadership will be sorely missed next year.

Finally, the girls would like to thank Jacqui Aynsley and Rachel McGuigan for once again coming away to help with the team during tournament week.

Jason Aaron.