25/26th June 2022 saw the U16 West Midlands girls team travel to Liverpool for the Inter Regionals competition. On Saturday, the girls made a strong start against the North East with quick fire goals from Amelie Perkins and Bella Ibbs to race into a 3 – 0 lead. Leading at half time 7 -3 we were perhaps guilty of complacency and the opponents began to find their feet to eventually draw 9 – 9. We then took on an extremely well drilled and well prepared Irish team and despite a close game at half time, the Irish ran out 7 -3 winners. The girls then took on the South East knowing anything other than a win would mean we would miss out on a semi-final place. With 5 goals apiece for Amelie and Bella, 2 from Jess Day and a goal from Regan James they ended with a comfortable 13 – 7 win. For the final game we took on the East Region and ran out 7 – 3 winners, this included a debut goal from Pippa Smyth and guaranteed a semi-final place on the Sunday.
The first semi-final pitted the girls against a very strong Northwest side who would be the eventual winners. We went toe to toe with them for long periods, every single one of our girls stepping up a level. At 9 – 8 down after the third quarter, a controversial 3rd major foul by Bella on their star forward meant we were left short at the back for the rest of the final quarter. This allowed the Northwest to gain a foothold and score a few late goals and eventually run out 15 -10 winners, not really a true reflection of how close the game was.
As expected the Irish won the other semi-final, which meant a bronze medal match against the South West, our nemesis from the previous U16 Inter Regionals. We started tentatively and allowed them to score 3 goals without reply. However midway through the first quarter we began to play as we knew we could, and the girls played themselves into the game. The next quarter was a cagey affair and at half time the score was 6 – 6. However, in the 3rd quarter our superior fitness told and we never looked back. 4 goals from Amelie, 3 from Bella and 1 from Jess meant we won the quarter 8 – 2 and eventually came out comfortable winners 18 – 10 to secure the Bronze medal.
Congratulations to Amélie Perkins for being the top goal scorer and West Midlands MVP.
Back Row: Holly Clark, Regan James, Bella Ibbs, Alissa Jamieson, Serena Newell, Millie Anderson and Harriet Enefer.
Front Row: Talia Dalton, Amelie Perkins, Jess Day, Lily Gale, Pippa Smyth and Beanie Paley.