By Mr Mason-McLeod (Head of Hockey)

The Year 6 football  team have been training with focus and commitment in preparation for the U11 IAPS Football Tournament at Kimbolton, and their efforts shone through on Friday 10th October. Looking smart in their new Bedford Girls’ School football shirts, the girls arrived ready to test themselves in what is always a highly competitive event. Coaches Miss Upham and I were equally keen to see the team showcase their progress.

The group stages began positively, with a strong defensive performance earning a 00 draw against The Royal Masonic School for Girls. Next up was Pownall Hall School, where BGS played end to end football but were narrowly beaten 1–0 after a brief lapse in concentration. Another closely contested game followed against The Perse, which again ended in a narrow 1–0 defeat, despite several promising attacking moves from both sides. Determined to respond, the girls secured an impressive 2–0 victory over St Margaret’s School, Bushey, followed by a 1–0 win against Stephen Perse Cambridge and Dame Bradbury’s School. That result gave BGS a strong chance of qualifying for the Cup stage, but despite their late momentum, they placed third in their group and moved into the Plate competition.

In the Plate semi-final, the girls faced Chigwell School in another tense and evenly matched game. After full-time ended goalless, the match went to golden goal, where Chigwell scored with just five seconds remaining. Undeterred, BGS regrouped for the third-place playoff against St Margaret’s once more. This time, the girls held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to secure a well-deserved bronze medal.

It was a positive day of football, with plenty of teamwork and encouragement throughout. The players represented BGS with pride, supported warmly by their parents on the sidelines.

A superb team effort from our talented Year 6s. Well done, girls.