Lacrosse: Casterton win northern small schools title (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Lacrosse: Casterton win northern small schools title

11:50am Thursday 9th February 2012 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

HOSTS Casterton School were crowned North Small Schools’ Lacrosse champions at the end of January.

The backdrop of fells provided a superb setting for the tournament and the girls ground out a hard fought and well deserved victory following a round-robin stage.

Led by co-captains Lucie Galloway and Hannah Foxcroft, the girls played Ampleforth, St Leonards and Barnard Castle in the first round, winning two out of three matches to progress to the semi-finals.

In a tense semi-final match against St Leonards, the team showed great character to come back from 3-0 down at half time to score four goals and win the contest.

Casterton then faced Ampleforth in the final and was the third time the teams had met in two days. Rachael Lightfoot made some game changing saves which were crucial to the team’s spirit in a very fast and technical game as Casteron edged to a 6-5 victory.

Hatty Jardine was the top goal scorer in the tournament.

Team mate Sarah Watson said: “The girls played some of the best lacrosse that we have played all season. It was an enormous improvement from the first games at the start of the academic year. Everyone’s skills had improved and some fantastic ability was seen on the pitch”.

Casterton Lacrosse Coach Marissa Brown added: “It was a true team effort, final game a reflection on the improvements the girls have made through course of the year and the best they have played.”

The tournament win sets Casterton up well for the National Small Schools’ Lacrosse Tournament on Saturday, March 10.