Following on from Super Saturday's success our 2B XI and 1st XI both reached the semi-final of the Gibson Cup and Belfast Telegraph Senior Cup respectively.
The 2B XI had been in the semi-final last year but unfortunately lost and so were determined to give it everything this year to try and get themselves a place in the final. They took on Belfast Royal Academy at Civil Service on Saturday 9th February and played some great hockey putting BRA under pressure on numerous occasions but just couldn't score. The match went all the way to the wire with the score at nil all when the final whistle blew, and penalty runs were required to separate the teams. Again the girls did everything they could at this stage and both teams took their 5 runs and were still equal, so it went to sudden death where BRA came out on top. We were unlucky to be beaten by such narrow margins but a great achievement to reach the semi-final and for many of these girls reaching the semi-final of this competition for the second year in a row. Well done on a great season girls and all of you can look forward to getting back in action next season.
The 1st XI took on Banbridge Academy on Wednesday 13th February in Strathearn's first Schools' Cup semi-final since 2012 and a chance to get into the final which hasn't been done since 1992. The team put on a brilliant display of hockey and many have said we were the better team but we just couldn't get the ball in the back of the net to equalise, after Banbridge went 1 nil up, half way through the first half. The girls tried everything - outplaying Banbridge in possession, circle entries, penalty corners, balls hitting the post, being cleared off the line and one even going in but being disallowed. Banbridge did put us under a bit of pressure and we managed to soak it up and even suvive a penalty stroke being awarded against us. It just wasn't to be our day and the score remained 1 nil to Banbridge at the end of the match. The fact that we were so close makes the loss even harder to take at the minute but the team should hold their heads high for putting up such a super fight and putting Strathearn back on the map at the semi-final stage of this competition. They have shown the younger players and supporters what they can aspire to achieve in future years in this competiton but hopefully have also inspired our two other teams playing their semi-finals on Saturday 2nd March. Hard luck girls, you gave it eveything you had - Strathearn is very proud of you all!!
Thank you to all our supporters throughout the season but especially at these two semi-finals, your support is really appreciated. Remember if you are free on Saturday 2nd March, please come along to the U14A XI or 2A XI semi-finals (9.30am Civil Service & 9.15am Antrim Forum respectively).
