Day 1: The Challenge

Rendcomb’s lacrosse team faced a tough series of matches in their recent trip to the England Lacrosse National Schools Championships, where 45 schools competed for silverware. Despite some challenging results, the team remained determined and showed resilience throughout the competition.

The tournament began with a difficult opener against Claremont, where Rendcomb struggled to break through a solid defence and fell to an 8-0 defeat. A second match against St George’s Harpenden proved equally challenging, ending in a 7-0 loss despite some determined attacking play.

Rendcomb continued to battle hard in their matches against St Paul’s Girls and Westonbirt, with a special shout-out to our goalies who kept Westonbirt’s strongest attackers at bay with some outstanding saves. Despite the setbacks, the team remained focused and worked to strengthen their defensive structure and attacking play.

The final match of the day saw Rendcomb take on Stowe in an end-to-end contest, and their perseverance paid off as they got on the scoreboard. With improved teamwork, sharp attacking movement, and solid defensive efforts, they finished the day with plenty to build on for Day 2.

After a gruelling day on the pitches, the team headed to Tesco for some much-needed refuelling—and, crucially, 16 bags of ice, which drew some amused looks from fellow shoppers! Ice baths were in full swing as the team focused on recovery, followed by a well-earned meal at Alento Lounge to ensure they were ready to fight again on Day 2.

Day 2: Division 2 Fightback

Seeded into Division 2, Rendcomb found their rhythm and immediately made a statement with a commanding 6-0 victory over Worth, featuring a hat trick from Daisy H, two goals from Arwen S, and one from Julia S. They continued to show attacking promise with another hat trick and a bloody nose from Daisy in a competitive 6-3 loss to Queen Margaret’s. The team bounced back with a determined 3-2 win against St George’s Ascot. Their final group match saw them come up against a strong North London Collegiate side (the eventual Division 2 winners), resulting in a 5-0 loss.

Knockout Stages

Reaching the quarter-finals, Rendcomb once again faced Stowe, eager to avenge their earlier loss. In a closely fought contest, they battled hard in a thrilling end-to-end game, showcasing some fantastic lacrosse from both teams. Ultimately, Rendcomb fell 4-2, bringing their tournament run to an end.

Final Thoughts

Despite a difficult opening day, Rendcomb showed great resilience, adapting well to Division 2 and delivering some excellent performances. Their victories highlighted their ability to bounce back, and their progression to the knockout stages demonstrated their competitive spirit. A fantastic result, which is a testament to the hours of practice and dedication from pupils and sports staff alike.