Oratory girls retain Berkshire Schools’ League crown for fifth year running

THE Oratory School won eight of their nine matches to claim the Berkshire Schools’ League title for a remarkable fifth straight year.

Their outstanding season saw the silverware wrapped up with a game in hand and featured victories against Reading Blue Coat (4-0) Reddam House (3-0), LVS Ascot (10-0) The Abbey (5-0), Leighton Park (3-1), Claires Court (5-1), The Marist (5-0), Holyport College (5-0).

An unbeaten campaign was only denied by Shiplake (1-3) in their final outing, leaving the black and golds with a goal difference of +36 (41 scored, five conceded).

There was also success for the unbeaten second team as they claimed the Group B title for the second consecutive time, taking the spoils ahead of Shiplake (2-1 and 2-0), Reading Blue Coat (2-2, 6-0), Leighton Park (1-0, 4-0) and LVS Ascot (5-1, postponed).

This meant Oratory won the league by four points despite playing a game less than the runners-up. Speaking after the successes, Oratory’s head of hockey Victoria Watson, said: “It has been great to see the number of girls who wish to play hockey continue to increase since going co-educational six years ago.

“I feel I have said “proud is an understatement”, for the past four years, and now there’s a fifth. Each year has brought new challenges, new opponents hungry to dethrone them, new expectations to live up to, and new pressure to rise above, and they met those challenges with courage and determination.

“Like I said last year, our small school punches well above our weight. The teams continue to dig deep and have played some fantastic hockey this year.

“I am extremely proud of all the girls who have represented these two teams this season, and it has been a privilege to coach them. A special thanks to my captain, Immy Martin, who has led by example both on and off the pitch with her great skill and encouragement.”

The girls celebrated their achievements at the annual hockey dinner where ex-Great Britain and England player, Kali Takher, was guest speaker.

Takher gave an inspirational and entertaining talk about his hockey journey and how he made the formula for top-level sport, and a successful life, simple and accessible.

The Oratory are set to play their first-ever home game as the school’s new lll-weather pitch is officially opened against Downe House tomorrow (Saturday).