The Hampshire school hosted the South West Rally on Saturday, welcoming 12 other schools and a total of 25 teams to compete in the prestigious competition.
In the 2nd team tournament, St Swithun’s dominated the early stages, winning all their pool matches without conceding any goals. They then went on to beat Downe House in the semi-final before facing St Mary’s Calne in the final.
With the full-time score at 2-2, the game proceeded into ‘golden goal’ extra time and it was St Swithun’s player Josie Smailes, aged 16 from Alresford, who scored the decider to give the Winchester team the title.
The St Swithun’s 1st team also produced some excellent lacrosse, starting with a solid 8-1 victory over St Bart’s, Newbury. They finished at the top of their group, qualifying for the championship division. The afternoon matches were tougher, but the team qualified for the semi-final where they beat St Helens and St Katherine’s, before facing Downe House in the final. Both teams played superbly, but Downe House were deserved 4-1 winners, leaving St Swithun’s as championship runners-up.
U12A Joker winners
On Sunday the St Swithun’s U12A and U13A teams completed a successful weekend when they travelled to Heathfield School, Ascot to compete in the Joker lacrosse tournament. The U12A team went undefeated throughout the day beating Berkhamsted, St Paul’s and Putney and won their section. They then beat Godstowe in the semi-final and drew with Godolphin in the final to finish as joint tournament winners. Sybilla Hardman aged 12 from Southampton, Sasha Parker aged 12 from Stockbridge, Grace McKee aged 12 from Winchester and Emma Pearce aged 11 from Waterlooville were the players of the tournament. The U13A team also won their section before being beaten in the semi-final by Godstowe.
Head of sport at St Swithun’s, Justine Mackenzie, said: “The success our lacrosse teams have had this weekend is a true reflection of the hard work and dedication our players put into developing themselves as top sportswomen. We are proud of the results from our senior and U12 teams and look forward to defending our place at the top throughout the remainder of the season.”
