Downe House deliver comeback win to take U15 National Schools Championship

Downe House came from behind twice to down last year’s winners Berkhamsted and claim the Under 15A National Schools Championship.

Downe House made the final in the U14 competition last year, ending as runners-up, but the same cohort managed to go one better this year in taking the Under 15 title.

The Berkshire school recorded three wins out of four in the pool stages, defeating Cheltenham Ladies’ College (5-1), Westonbirt (5-0), and Benenden (4-0), with a draw against North London Collegiate (3-3) leaving them top of Group 2.

Berkhamsted, last year’s U15 champions, posted a very similar record with four wins St George’s Harpenden (4-1) St Paul’s (6-0), Marlborough College (3-2), Haileybury (9-0) and a single draw against Birkenhead (3-3), putting them top of Group 5.

Heading into the knockouts, Downe House first defeated St Mary’s Calne 2-1 in the Last 16, then Queen Anne’s 3-2 in the QF and a 3-1 win against Lady Eleanor Holles confirmed their place in the final.

Meanwhile Berkhamsted moved past Putney High 4-2 in the Last 16, Wycombe Abbey 4-1 in the QF and Guildford High in the semi-final 2-1 to return to the final.

In the final, Berko went ahead twice, opening the scoring before Downe House responded and then retaking the lead, compounded with a yellow card for Downe House, it looked like a long road back to victory.

But the challengers saw off the player deficit and going into the second-half then went about clawing themselves back into proceedings.

A first free position goal brought them level, and then continuing to dominate possession, Downe House put themselves ahead for the first time with another successful free position shot.

Success on the draw was proving crucial for Downe House who were then able to run down a large chunk of the remaining time by maintaining possession and it was only in the final seconds that Berkhamsted created one final chance to send the match to overtime but a tight angled shot went into the side netting and Downe House were able to celebrate wildly on the final whistle.

Other Final Results:
Under 15A Division 1: Claremont Fan Court - Westonbirt (OT)
Under 19C Division 1: St Catherine’s 3-0 Guildford High
Under 19C Division 2: Godolphin 3-2 St Swithun’s D