South East hold nerve to claim Inter-Regional title in dramatic final

South East held their nerve in a tense penalty shootout to be crowned U16s Girls Inter-Regional champions following a dramatic final clash.

They defeated South West Sharks 17-15 after the two sides were locked at 14 all in what eventually proved to be a closely-contested clash at the Liverpool Aquatics Centre.

South West Sharks had finished runners-up to South East in Group B but they were three goals up in the third period before losing two players for three majors apiece.

That let South East back into the tie and the tournament’s MVP Elsie Graves finished with six second-half goals to level things up at full-time.

Amelia Cook, voted as the tournament’s top goalkeeper, was outstanding in the shootout, saving two out of the four South West penalties to seal South East’s success.

Delighted South East head coach Katy Ross said: “I am incredibly proud to have coached this fantastic group of girls this weekend. 

“My fellow coach, Lauren Hand, and I have had the privilege of working with the squad over the last three years and have watched them go from strength to strength, growing in both confidence and technical ability leading up to this tournament. 

“Defensively, we were very strong and that was key to our success this weekend. 

Just brilliant

“We were very well matched in the final against a talented South West team and it was fitting to finish 14 all at full time. 

“To claim the gold medal after a tense penalty shootout was just brilliant.

“The strong performance by this majority 2009 team certainly bodes well for the future. Thanks to all the organisers for an excellently run tournament.”

Victorious South East captain Lily Dallimore added: “Words cannot explain how proud I am of the whole team! 

“We all worked so well together as friends and team-mates, always supporting each other no matter how we were doing.

“Even when we were behind by a few goals, we never dropped our heads and continued to fight the whole weekend. 

“And, of course, we could not have done it without Lauren, Becci and Katy our incredible coaches, always supporting, comforting us and pushing us to be the best we can. 

“Thank you so much to all the wonderful referees, everybody involved in making this weekend possible and our awesome parents for supporting us through everything.”

Thunder take bronze

North West Thunder claimed the bronze medal with victory over London Sharks.

The two teams were first and second respectively in Group A to set up semi-final clashes against South West Sharks and South East.

North West Thunder were beaten 7-5 by South West, while London suffered a 13-8 defeat at the hands of South East.

In a hard-fought third place play-off, North West eventually pulled away in the third period, with the tournament’s top scorer Amelia Crompton bagging eight goals to help seal a 16-7 victory.

Scotland seal Division One spot

The challenge for the fifth and final spot in Division One in the U18 Inter Regional Championships in 2025 also went to the wire.

In the final play-off game. Scotland had to defeat the East Midlands to secure a Division One spot in two years’ time.

However, East Midlands only required a draw to grab that final place.

Scotland eventually ran out 13-7 victors, however, and head coach Hannah Luke was full of pride for her players.

She said: “The Scotland squad are delighted to have qualified for Division One for the U18s Inter Regions in 2025. 

“They have been working incredibly hard throughout the year and this is evidenced in how they played and their success over the weekend. 

“The players thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and played very well both as individuals and as a team against some tough competition.

“This is a great stepping stone on their player pathway and we are all very proud of them.

“We would like to extend a big thank you to the organisers, table, and referees who made this weekend happen.”

MVP Awards

• East Angels: Kirsten Pender
• East Midlands: Sophie Leveridge
• London Sharks: Jaspreet Gill
• North East: Nella Chang
• North West Thunder: Abi Colson
• Scotland Saltires: Rosa Green
• South East: Amelia Cook
• South West Sharks:  India Knights-Hume
• West Midlands: Serena Newell

Tournament awards

• Top Goalkeeper: Amelia Cook ( South East)
• Top Goalscorer: Amelia Crompton (North West Thunder)
• Overall MVP Award: Elsie Graves (South East)