On Friday, 15 October, the year 5 and 6 girls took part in the Trinity Shield Football competition.
This brings together a number of local schools (Ravenstone, Bellville, (do please add any further names here) for a round robin series of matches.
As the name suggests, this is held at Trinity Fields, a magnificently well-kept ground, the quality of which many of the schools participating would otherwise not have the opportunity of playing on.
The Dolphin team started strongly, against a much bigger side, and came away with a 3-0 win.
Under the careful eye (and loud voice!) of Mr Hinton, the girls kept their shape and avoided bunching around the ball.
This gave them options for passing when they had the ball, which the opposing team missed.
Games two and three followed the same format: some excellent running off the ball from the Dolphin team and lots of great passing set up some spectacular goals.
Willow clearly had her shooting boots on as she came away from the first three games with a tally of at least five goals!
Poppy, in goal, was hardly troubled at all throughout these games.
By this stage the excitement (of the watching parents!) was sky high and Mr Hinton was looking extremely happy.
There was one final game to play of the round robin stage, and a win would put Dolphin at the top of the standings.
This was against Bellville, a tough side always.
And, sure enough, Bellville applied some early pressure but the Dolphin defence stood firm and cleared several attacks safely.
As the Bellville team tired, Dolphin took their chances and pummelled home a couple of goals in quick succession, to the huge delight of, and with much cheering from the assembled supporters.
There was one more game, against the team that was second in the standings.
By now the Dolphin team was on cloud 9 and nothing could touch them, despite being tired from all their exertions.
They absorbed some early pressure from their opponents but kept calm and kept their heads.
Sofia was a midfield superstar, chasing down loose ball and firing passes upfield.
Dolphin just seemed to want the win more.
And, sure enough, another cracker sealed the victory with only minutes to spare!
Sofia was nominated as player of the tournament. Two of the girls have also been invited to take part in the Wandsworth district trials which is a wonderful achievement.
With five wins out of five and a completely clean sheet, this was an outstanding day for Dolphin’s girls.
With the shield awarded, everyone set off for half-term with huge smiles and a bounce in their step!
Mr Hinton was seen pinching himself and shaking his head as he too, left the field of play grinning from ear to ear!
Well done to the Year 5 and 6 girls!
