On an overcast and muggy Saturday morning, 23 alumnae returned to participate in the traditional Old Girls’ lacrosse match.
Although mostly recent leavers, the alumnae players ranged from Class of 2001 to Class of 2024, who had only just left St Helen’s this summer. Since the match formed part of the Senior team student trials, there were around 40 students who rotated on a quarterly basis to play the Old Girls, and two entertaining matches could be enjoyed at any given time. To match the energy on the pitch, there was a great buzz amongst the crowd of supporters for both the Old Girls and the students, with around 40 friends and family watching on.
It was a thrilling context, with a high standard of play, a testament to the fact that many of the alumnae have taken their love of playing lacrosse further and represented their university in the sport, although a few claimed to have not played since leaving St Helen’s. After nearly an hour of frantic back and forth, where 19 goals were scored in total, the Old Girls triumphed over the students! Age proved no barrier to the Old Girls team, who were delighted to retain the Ottie Uden Memorial Trophy.
A huge thank you to all those who returned to play in the match, the supporting crowd, as well as the referee Sara Benbow, who is an alumna and St Helen’s Governor herself. We are delighted to have successfully held this contest again and look forward to another exciting Old Girls fixture next year!
Photos of the match can be enjoyed below.
