According to Scottish Hockey's website report, "the game was end-to-end from the start with both sides peppering the circles." St Margaret's had the better of the chances but the game was scoreless when, with only two minutes remaining, Arabella Winn lifted her drag flick corner shot into the net to the great delight of her school coaches, schoolmates, and parents. Most of the players are in S2 or S3, so Arabella from S1 and aged only 12 was the youngest player on both teams. Also contributing to this success were her fellow Gordonians HC members Saathvika Devadas, Rhona Nesbitt, and Bukayomi Adejuwon.

Photograph: The moment Arabella knows she has scored ( Photographer: David McCarthy)
Video : The goal and the celebrations ( filmed by a St Margaret's parent)

Scottish Junior Girls Challenge Cup Final
Robert Gordon's College 3 Jordanhill School 4

According to the Scottish Hockey website, this was "an absolute nail-biter of a cup final in which Jordanhill School came out victorious. It was a very even first half, which was competitive and committed. Midway through the half, Jordanhill School took a 1-0 lead from the penalty spot but with two minutes to play in the half there was an equaliser for Robert Gordon’s College struck by Abby Cochrane, after a nice counter down the left." Half time score 1-1. Jordanhill took control early in the second half and with 9 minutes remaining were 4-1 ahead. Gordon's were not done yet however with Abby scoring her second goal with a "sweet low strike" then going on to complete her hatrick to make the score 4-3. "A late surge couldn’t find an equaliser and Jordanhill held out to win the Cup." The RGC defence stood firm throughout open play as the goals that were conceded came from penalty corners (3) and a penalty flick.

It is rare for a player to score 3 goals in a cup final and lose so Abby should be very proud of what she achieved in such a big match, especially as all her goals were from open play. There will surely be more big matches to come from Abby for her school and club in the years to come. A further 8 Gordonians HC members were in the RGC squad: Willow Hyland, Juliet Brown, Elise Morrison, Emma Donaldson, Ines De Kock, Anais Descamps, Louise Bonsor, and Olivia Smith. And had it not been for a French Exchange trip three more from the club would also have been involved : Bea Frost, Annabelle Scatterty, and Michelle Kavanagh.

Contributions to this article were gratefully received from Claire Winn and Ross Hyland.