Tournament Day

Two major tournaments were hosted at Farleigh yesterday; the Rory McDonagh U13 Football Cup and the U13 and U12 hockey tournament. And a third team of U10 girls took part in a netball tournament in Portsmouth.

Farleigh welcomed seven schools (Forres Sandle Manor, Highfield, St Francis, St Mary’s Calne, Thorngrove, Twyford and Westbourne House) to the girls’ tournament for a full afternoon of hockey. The U13As defeated Twyford in sudden death penalty shuffles to reach the final against FSM, where a ‘wonder-goal’ from FSM secured their 2-1 victory. The U12As played against five schools in a round robin event winning all their matches and the final against St Mary’s Calne, 2-0. The U10A netball team also won their tournament at Portsmouth Grammar School in another round robin competition, winning all their nine matches. What a great way to finish the season – go, girls, go!

The annual Rory McDonagh Cup, played in beautiful autumn sunshine at Farleigh, was an enjoyable sporting occasion, celebrating the life of former pupil Rory McDonagh who attended Farleigh from 1996-2002. The 1st XI boys welcomed teams from Cheam, Pilgrims’, Rookwood and Twyford to this U13 football tournament where some great football was played. A gifted footballer, Rory played in the 1st XI for two years, where his passion, drive and determination inspired the whole team. The cup, which has been donated by Rory’s parents, will stay at Farleigh with the winning team’s name engraved each year. The winning team this year, Twyford, took home a small replica to keep.