It’s been almost two years since the last one, but the School Challenge Cup is back in 2021 after its cancellation last year due to coronavirus.
This year’s cup competition will take place, once again, in its traditional home at Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre and will see eight teams battle it out to be crowned the best lacrosse-playing school in the land.
At the last School Challenge Cup in 2019, eight teams also took part, including Berkhamsted, St Mary’s, Calne, Caterham, Bedford Girls, Lady Eleanor Holles, Wycombe Abbey, Guildford High, and Moreton Hall.
It was a competition filled to burst with quality and the quarter-finals saw Guildford edge past Moreton Hall 6-3, Berkhamsted and Caterham squeeze into the semi-finals by defeating St Mary’s, Calne and Bedford Girls 10-9 and 9-8 respectively and Wycombe Abbey overcome Lady Eleanor Holles by 9 goals to 6.
Guildford managed to hold off a late Caterham comeback to see out their semi-final encounter 10-9 while Berkhamsted produced a convincing performance against Wycombe Abbey in their semi-final to win 12-4.
The weather had largely held out for most of the day; however, by the time the final between Guildford and Berkhamsted came around, the heavens opened making playing conditions difficult.
But both teams still managed to put on a highly entertaining game to keep everyone engrossed.
Berkhamsted took the initiative early in the final, holding a 4-3 lead at half-time and, extending their lead early in the second, looked like they were in the driving seat and on the way to repeating their 2018 School Challenge Cup success.
However, over the longer 40-minute matches, Guildford had the opportunity to respond and slowly but surely they began to take control.
Camille Barton led the charge for her side, finishing the game with seven goals with a number of drives to goal and executing a number of deadly finishes from her free position opportunities.
As the game wore on, Guildford only became stronger and were able to shut out Berkhamsted for the majority of the second period, while they took their chances when in possession to earn the 2019 Challenge Cup title.
In the 3rd place play-off game, Caterham put the disappointment of missing out on the final behind them by coming through against Wycombe Abbey and winning 4-3 to earn themselves bronze medals.
Challenge Cup 2019 Full Results
Quarter-Finals
Berkhamsted 10 - 9 St Mary’s Calne
Caterham 9 - 8 Bedford Girls
Lady Eleanor Holles 6 - 9 Wycombe Abbey
Guildford High 6 - 3 Moreton Hall
Semi-Finals
Berkhamsted 12 - 4 Wycombe Abbey
Guildford High 10 - 9 Caterham
7/8 Play Off
Moreton Hall 10 - 9 St Mary’s Calne
5/6 Play Off
Lady Eleanor Holles 11 - 9 Bedford Girls
3rd Place Play Off
Caterham 4 - 3 Wycombe Abbey
Final
Berkhamsted 5 - 10 Guildford High
Check out the highlights from the enthralling 2019 School Challenge Cup final below!
And if you fancy grabbing yourself free entry to this year’s School Challenge Cup in Aldershot on Sunday 14 November, click the button below.