It was a week of mixed fortunes for the Under 18 Hockey squad. Coming off a narrow loss at the semi-finals of the GDST Under 18 Hockey Rally in Northampton last month, the Howell's team were brimming with confidence heading into their Cardiff & Vale Schools' Final at Ysgol Glantaf on Monday 19th November. Although Howell's started well and controlled the ball for parts of the game, the girls couldn't find a breakthrough and were made to pay by the hosts, who worked tirelessly to take a 1-0 lead early in the second half. Despite a barrage of penalty corners as the game came to a conclusion, Glantaf were strong in defence and held on to progress to the National Final in March. Just two days later, the same team hosted perennial Under 18 Welsh Champions Christ College Brecon at the National Hockey Centre. This was another outstanding exhibition of hockey, with a lot of national representation across the pitch. In comparison to Monday's defeat, the girls were able to get themselves on the score-sheet early thanks to goals from Katie G, Pascha T and Ffion M. The latter being a very well taken strike at the end of some good build-up play by hardworking midfielders Lily R, Sophie S and Maisie R. Having won the national title on numerous occasions, the girls knew that Christ College would be determined to get themselves back into the game, and they did so midway through the second half with a well taken goal of their own. This only spurred the hosts on, with Katie G finishing off a penalty corner to ensure Howell's would secure a 3-1 victory. The defensive unit of Ffion H, Robyn D, Annabelle W and Georgia M-P were excellent all game and did well to shut down many dangerous Christ College attacks. Charlotte J, playing potentially her last game at Howell's following 9 busy years of hockey representation, worked incredibly hard once again and linked up superbly well with the forward line of Alicia L, Pascha T, Ffion M and Ellie L. It was a superb team performance by Howell's as they were able to inflict a rare defeat on Christ College.