It was a good weekend for GB Women’s Under 18 coach Cheryl Smith and her team after they won all three games to claim the 4Nations tournament prize in Dumfries.
Victories over Spain, Iceland and Poland gave the girls a massive boost before they head to Katowice for their World Championship campaign in early January.
And Smith was left satisfied by what she seen from her team as the focus now turns to the trip to Poland.
“The coaching staff and I are thrilled at what we have seen over the weekend,” she said.
“I said from the start that getting wins would be good but the performances would be the most important thing. The way we came back from two goals down on Sunday and didn’t panic was exceptional.
“We have a great group of girls who have worked so hard for each other and understood the gameplan for the weekend.
(PHOTO: Helen Hobbins)
“Now we have a tough World Championship in January but we can look forward to it with confidence.”
The tournament started in the best possible way on Friday with a shutout 3-0 win over Spain to get things off on the right foot.
Emily Harris fired into the top shelf to give GB a first-period lead, but Harris and Grace Garbett combined for Harris’ second as she finished off a backhand finish through the five-hole early in the third period.
Lucy Beal’s shot from the blueline on the powerplay with over ten minutes to go secured a good confidence boosting win to set the tone for the weekend.
The action moved into Saturday where Iceland were looking for a reaction after their heavy loss to Poland in their opening game.
While they could take positives from the result, it was another loss as GB overcame a third period push to take a 4-3 victory.
Harris opened the scoring after seven minutes and helped to set up Garbutt for the second around the midway mark.
Bergsdottir pulled one back with a well-taken wrist shot, but Harris scored her fourth in two games on the powerplay from the short side in the final knockings of the second period.
(PHOTO: Helen Hobbins)
Alice Jones made it 4-1 early in the third to make things a little more comfortable, but Iceland scored through Hafsteinsdottir and Bjorgvinsdottir to make it a nervy ending, but the Brits held on for victory.
It meant GB and Poland would head to head in Sunday’s final game for the prize and Cheryl Smith’s charges had to come from behind to take the win and the tournament.
Two goals in eight seconds seemed to give the Poles some momentum as Iga Schramm and Karolina Baran both found the net.
Sophie Campbell pulled one back minutes later as GB began the comeback and were ahead by the end of the second as Emily Harris then Chamonix Jackson both scored to turn the game around.
Kaitlyn Morrison got the insurance marker to confirm a good result for the Women’s U18 side and secure the 4Nations crown in a beneficial weekend for the team.
WEEKEND RESULTS:
Friday 8th November
Spain U18 Women 0-3 Great Britain U18 Women
Iceland Women 1-7 Poland U18 Women
Saturday 9th November
Spain U18 Women 3-4 Poland U18 Women (after penalty shootout)
Great Britain U18 Women 4-3 Iceland Women
Sunday 10th November
Spain U18 Women 6-5 Iceland Women (after penalty shootout)
Poland U18 Women 2-4 Great Britain U18 Women
