TIFS enter this national competition every year, primarily to play some 11-a-side hockey on the mainland against different Schools and give the Year 11 players some fixtures. The standard is always very high with the majority of teams being large independent schools with their own full-sized pitches.

This year in the first round, TIFS were drawn against Clayesmore school in Dorset. The team travelled over on Wednesday with a mixture of Year 9,10 and 11 pupils. On a fine but overcast evening the game started at 4:30pm.

The first half saw an end-to-end game emerge with both teams having chances but good defensive play prevailed. As the time went on TIFS became more dominant and began to earn short corners but still could not find the net until Sophie took a first time shot from a slipped ball from Evie, and the ball smashed into the corner of the Clayesmore goal. 1-0 to TIFS – and so it remained until half time.

After a team talk and Haribo the second half got underway, with Clayesmore stepping up their game play. However, the defensive work of Maddie,Skyler, Holly and Jazz ,supported by Scarlett in goal, held firm. The midfield of Evie, Polly, Mia,Flo and Jess worked tirelessly to support Hannah in feeding the ball to Sophie and Evie up front. Eventually a wonderful piece of team work from the TIFS girls saw Sophie grab her second goal to make the score 2-0.

Clayesmore pushed and pushed for a consolation goal but the score remained the same until the final whistle and TIFS recorded their first ever victory in this competition.

The team were then invited to the main house for well deserved hot teas before the long journey back to the Island.

Many thanks to Miss. Fraser for driving and umpiring. Well done to the whole team – we await our opponents in the next round.