The U15 lacrosse team competed against the most successful lacrosse schools from Hampshire, Middlesex, Surrey and Kent to win the South of England U15 schools tournament on 18 January.
Caterham were drawn in a very tough section but played extremely well and won four out of five matches to finish as runners up, thereby going through to the semi finals:
Benenden School, Caterham School won 4-1
Dunottar School, Caterham School won 4-0
Putney High School, Caterham School won 3-2
St. Paul's Girls School, Caterham School won 5-2
Lady Eleanor Holles School , Caterham School lost 0-2
Their opponents in the semi final were Guildford High School, the winners of the other section. Caterham started well scoring a goal and holding on to the lead for a long time. Guildford then equalised and were able to hold possession of the ball. Caterham's goalkeeper, Jojo Upward, had to play at her very best to prevent further scores and then Millie Hopkins won possession and drove the ball to Francesca Adams who slotted it past the post with seconds to go to make it 2-1 to Caterham.
This success took them through to meet St Catherine's School in the final. Caterham scored quickly with a great goal from Cesci Adams. Ella Donald scored another but St Catherine's responded with two goals to secure a draw and to take the match into extra time. Whilst Caterham maintained a lot of the possession neither team could score a goal, which meant a sudden death playoff. Again Caterham took possession but were held out by a strong opposition defence. Caterham had a goal disallowed and then St. Catherine's applied consistent pressure but the strong defence of Mille Hopkins and Bronte Rowlands held firm. Paige Stapleton worked tirelessly with Robyn Hunt-Williams in midfield to set up attacks until finally, top scorer Cesci Adams was awarded a penalty and given a free position. Cesci kept her cool and scored to secure a 3-2 result and so win the tournament.
Nat Lomas, Head of Girls' Games at Caterham School said: 'The squad knew it would be a very tough competition against such strong lacrosse teams. Unfortunately, we had lost top Surrey defender Sarah Slater with an injury but she contributed a lot of encouragement from the sidelines. The girls displayed fantastic drive and determination to win six matches and I was most impressed that they were able to remain focussed right through extra time. I think that they rose to the challenge wonderfully and I was delighted for them.'
Caterham School U15 Lacrosse Team are South Schools Champions 12 01 18