Oscars all round for Y6 Girls at Thornbury

Have you noticed?
Silence is cool again.
They reckon a silent film - The Artist - will win a hatful of prizes at the Oscars tonight.

And we've got our own Silent Star to reward.

Jo "The Motivator" Davis demonstrated a steely new resolve at Thornbury as she kept the encouragement up but the decibels down on the sidelines.

It's all part of a cunning new plan, and it paid off.

The idea is that if the coaches shout, the players don't. So silent coaches leave space for Foxes to call for the ball, urge each other on, spot the danger girls on the other side.

It worked, kind of.
Against our toughest opponents, the Foxes played their best team football yet.
Sophie M led out a strong team of Anna D, Phoebe, Bryony, Ella T, Emily C, and Emily B in goal. For the first half, they held their own. Nearly scored, and apart from one miskick which was clinically punished, kept the Falcons out. Some lovely moves, often three or four passes strung together with intent, and all bossed from the midfield by Sophie. (Don't worry, Soph, 'bossing' is good on a pitch!)

Special mention to Phoebe for a beautiful header which turned the game around.

Then it was t'other Sophie's turn, Sophie HR. Her team had Marielle in goal, Ella C, Paige, Molly R, Abby, Sophie C, and Erin. This lot played way above themselves.
Some brilliant moments: Molly R taking a through ball on her thigh, controlling it, passing it on to Sophie C who nearly scored. Abby intercepting a high ball with the back of her neck, turning and - oh yes - volleying back. And in the final game, some astonishing goalkeeping by Marielle who threw herself on the ground and saved unfeasibly often.

A great morning's football, albeit ultimately unrewarded by points. Sophie Ms team went down by a few goals, Sophie HRs team came home with a 0-0 draw.

So to our Oscars.
Bravest Fox - for literally putting her body on the line: Marielle
Coolest New Move: Abby for the 'necker'
Most Improved Fox: Molly R
Most Impregnable Defender: Ella T, never missed a tackle.
Most Dogged Fox: Anna D and Sophie M combined - ran till the last whistle, and beyond. Great work guys
Girl of the Game : Phoebe, for that epic header

And of course, the Self Control Award, for astonishing restraint: Jo "The Quiet One" Davis.