To Quote Bob Marley and The Wailers, “The sun is shining, the weather is sweet”, and so it was for SHC’s match against local rivals Black Boys. There were a lot of nerves prior to the game, and these carried into the first ten minutes of the match. Black Boys dominated in terms of possession and their passing was far superior. The breakthrough for Black came after an initial save from a Penalty Corner was not cleared and Fiona Rickli calmly slotted home the rebound. 1-0.

However, the Servette Girls showed just how far they have progressed, and instead of having a negative effect on the team, it spurred them on. Barely 5 minutes later, Lena Hyvärinen put Sophie Gallien through and although her reverse shot was saved, Hanna Charles-Tijmens, the youngest player on the team was perfectly placed to turn the ball into the goal. 1-1. Finally, after more than 210 minutes of Hockey, Servette had scored a goal from open play. GAME ON!!!

To credit BBHC, they continued to pass the ball very well and pressure the Servette defence, but Mathilde, Carole, Anouk and Mariam dealt with every situation superbly. The momentum had swung in Servette’s favour and again Lena was involved in some good link up play with Eugenia Lozada, before again finding Sophie unmarked in the Circle. This time she made no mistake and brilliantly lifted the ball over the advancing goalkeeper. 1-2. Servette were causing problems with every attack and the third goal came after a great piece of individual skill from Emma Kayser, who then found Alicia de Vink in the D. Her powerful reverse stick shot looked to be going wide, but again proving how much the team has progressed, Louise Dann, unmarked at the second post, and showing great composure, controlled the ball and pushed it high into the net. 1-3. Servette could well have gone into half time 1-4 up, after being awarded a penalty stroke, but the Black Boys goalkeeper made a superb save, from Anouk’s effort.

After some words of encouragement and also caution from Jordan at half time, the girls resumed the game determined to add to the score. However, Black had regrouped at half time and again their passing and possesion was superior in the opening minutes of the half, but once again they found the Servette defence solid, and on the one occasion they managed to penetrate it, Marianne Emler pulled off a magnificent sliding challenge that even Julien Leblond would be proud of. Both teams defenders were proving their worth for most of the second half, but as time ran out, Black, in search of a goal, committed more players forward, allowing Servette the chance to counter-attack. Sophie, maintaining a high position on the field, received a long clearance, and held the ball up well, before finding Louise again unmarked at the second post for her second goal and Servette’s fourth. 1-4.

The final whistle blew, to very loud cheers from the home support and even louder screams of joy from the girls. A lot of very happy players and one speechless and very proud coach! “Allez les Filles”, you were brilliant. Bring on Grasshoppers in the Quarter final!!!

Jordan McKee