Lady Eleanor Holles crowned Under 19 National Schools champions

Lady Eleanor Holles became 2026 Under 19A National Schools Lacrosse Champions with a 4-3 victory over Godolphin School to add another Nationals win to the school’s impressive record.

LEH produced a superb set of Sunday performances, crowned off by victory against a previously unbeaten Godolphin to win their first headline title since 2018.

Five group wins out of six on Saturday had secured LEH a place in the Top 16 Championship bracket for Sunday’s action, but a big 6-1 defeat to Moreton Hall in the final game of the day meant they went into an early morning rematch with a point to prove.

And they responded emphatically, opening their Day 2 campaign with a 3-0 reverse against Moreton, shortly followed up by a 3-2 win against unbeaten Guildford High and rounded off with a 4-3 defeat of Claremont Fan Court to finish first in their second round group.

By this point LEH were on a roll and began the knockouts with a convincing 4-2 win against Westonbirt in the Last 16, before taking down last year’s champions Queen Anne’s 6-3 in the quarters.

They came up against St Albans in the semi-final who were led by MVP goalkeeper Orla Burner, but in a tight, low-scoring contest it was LEH who prevailed 2-1 to book their spot in the final.

LEH had previously laid down a marker last month in winning the prestigious South East Schools finals, but were up against stiff competition from across the country, and Godolphin came into the tournament with their own positive track record, taking the win at the School Challenge Cup back in November.

Godolphin came into the knockouts with an absolutely perfect 100% winning record in sailing through both the Saturday and Sunday group stages.

They had been tested throughout the knockouts in a 5-3 Last 16 win against Bolton, and then consecutive 3-2 victories, first against Claremont Fan Court in the QFs, before moving past Guildford High in the semi-final and come into the final with confidence.

And it was the Wiltshire side who drew first blood, going 1-0 ahead and looking to finish off the job.

However, the would-be champions weren’t phased - LEH immediately levelling things and then continuing to push on, racking up a 3-1 lead to take in to half-time.

Godolphin weren’t prepared to give up without a fight, pulling one back to reduce the lead to one, but LEH hit back again immediately to keep Godolphin at bay.

Godolphin made one last push for a comeback making things 4-3, but LEH gained possession and gained control for the final minutes, running down the clock and seeing the game out to before the final whistle came to spark huge celebrations among the LEH players, coaches, and supporters.

LEH last won the top prize at the National Schools Lacrosse Championships back in 2018 with a star-studded team featuring a raft of then future England internationals including Charlie Wilson, Cece Green, Anna Saunter, Georgie Southorn and Hannah Thurston.

And Wilson was also on hand to present captain Mollie Male with Midfield MVP award after being awarded the individual honour during the trophy presentations.

Watch the full Under 19A Championship final back on the England Lacrosse YouTube channel below.

MVP Awards
Goalie: Orla Burner (St Albans)
Defender: Ella Walker (Berkhamsted)
Midfielder: Molly Male (Lady Eleanor Holles)
Attacker: Katie Gray (Godolphin)
Vivien Jones Memorial Award: Amelia Theodorou (Guildford High)

Other Divisional Winners from Day 2 at National Schools
U19A Division 1 Winners: Birkenhead 5-2 Wycombe Abbey
U19A Division 2 Winners: Haileybury 3-2 Cheltenham Ladies’ College
U19B Division 1 Winners: St Catherine’s 1-0 Berkhamsted
U19B Division 2 Winners: Wycombe Abbey 3-2 Caterham