Ipswich School’s Under-18 girls’ hockey team claimed fourth place in the country at the National Outdoor Hockey Championships held at Cannock at the start of the month.

The Ipswich team battled against Cheltenham Ladies College, Repton and Collyers in the pool competition, beating Cheltenham 4-0 thanks to goals from Fran Tew (2), Hannah Martin and Ellen Cook and drawing against Collyers 3-3, with goals from Hannah Martin (2) and Fran Tew.

The second pool match, against Repton, was the decider in the group.

Ipswich started the better of the two teams, creating some good opportunities and scoring the first goal in the second half through Hannah Martin.

However, after levelling the score, Repton – who were the eventual national champions – scored another in the last minute to win 2-1.

Ipswich played Millfield for the bronze medal position.

Millfield were 2-0 up before half time, and despite a half-time reshuffle and some dominant play in the second half, Ipswich could not pull the scoreline back to claim bronze.

“For the girls to finish fourth in the country in the outdoor competition, after being second in the national indoor competition earlier in the year, is an outstanding achievement,” said head of hockey, Duncan Parnis.

“They should feel really proud of their successes. There are a few girls for whom this was their last year of school hockey and they have performed exceptionally well throughout.

“For those girls who are in year 12, I am positive that the experiences of being so close to winning in both national competitions will spur them on to go a few places higher next time.