GU14 Wrens Progress to Second Round of T1 Cup
By Mark Rogers
GU14 Wrens 19 – 1 Hampstead & Westminster (A)
EH Girls U14 Tier 1 Championships
It would be unfair to compare a wet 9am Sunday away trip to Hampstead with a wet Tuesday night in Stoke, but the common denominator is that they both differentiate between a team’s true fans and those of a fair weather variety. However, such was the anticipation for the first round of the EH Cup, that the Surbiton Ultras, sporting their “Wrens ‘til I die!” tattoos and large cappuccinos had packed the terraces of this community ground to cheer on their heroes.
The two sides had met the previous Sunday in the league, with the spoils going to the Wrens. However, that counted for nothing as the home team hoped to pull off an upset for the ages - the excitement of the Cup!
Sadly for Hampstead, their hopes were quickly extinguished. The Wrens, spotless in their navy green away kit, executed their moves with military precision, Eva securing her third hat-trick of the season in the opening six minutes. The home team battled hard but it was breathless stuff from the Wrens, with the travelling fans getting every penny’s worth of the entrance fee, and Lizzie, Gracie, Joycey and Hattie also breaking the net. Rosie and Captain Erin formed the beating heart of the team, distributing the ball like hockey masterminds, whilst Izzy, Amelie, Emily and Elsa, and Poppy between the sticks, ensured that the Hampstead players shalt not pass.
The Wrens progressed to Round 2 with a comfortable victory. Game over, the terraces emptied and the Ultras, in the spirit of real hockey fans, celebrated the win with a trip to John Lewis in Brent Cross on the way home.