Hockey: Valiant IoM U18 girls pipped in championship semi-finals

Manx side beaten in final four after spirited performance

The Isle of Man U18 girls hockey squad have been praised for their grit and character as they suffered a narrow loss in the semi-finals of a national competition at the weekend.

Competing in the last four of the England Hockey U18's Girls Tier 2 Plate on Sunday (5 March), the Island outfit put on a brave display as they went down 3-1 against Olton & West Warwickshire U18's.

Despite competing straight off the back of a gruelling seven-hour journey, the Manx side took the lead after 15 minutes through Isabella Craig.

However, Olton & West Warwickshire managed to equalise before the end of the first half after a period of sustained pressure on the Isle of Man defence.

The Island outfit started the second half the brighter but were caught out on the break with their opponents grabbing a second to take the lead.

Player of the match, Sophie Bowers, and Lucie Sutterby were among the stand-out performances for the Isle of Man as they stood firm to deny Olton & West Warwickshire extending their advantage.

However, as the Island squad pushed for an equaliser in the closing stages, Olton & West Warwickshire struck a decisive third in the final five minutes to progress.