GROWN men were reduced to tears as they hugged their delirious daughters and granddaughters after Prince Henry's High School won the English Hockey Association's National Under-15 Plate Final.

Mums and grandmas joined in the celebrations at the hooter when a first half goal from Jojo Barker saw off a spirited opposition in the shape of Cambridge HC at the impressive National Stadium at Milton Keynes.

Henry's were the only school left in this inaugural competition for first round losers in the Under-15 Cup.

Defensive qualities had helped them through the previous four rounds, while Barker's eye for goal - she scored twice in the semi-final - had helped clinch a place in last Saturday's showpiece.

Cambridge had lost just one match - a defeat that allowed them a place in the Plate event - and their early promptings illustrated their strengths.

A dank and dismal morning saw the teams emerge into the floodlit arena but it was the Henry's girls who illuminated proceedings with captain Tori Southern and Lucy Tyrrell catching the eye.

It was would be unfair to pick out individuals, though, as success was based on a fabulous team effort.

Goalkeeper Harriet Perkins was kept on her toes throughout the 70 minutes but, once the Evesham girls had weathered an early bombardment and Southern's boot had withstood a vicious smack from one of her teammate's clearances, Henry's gradually assumed control.

Barker slipped a seventh minute chance inches wide of the target but she wasn't so wasteful six minutes later after Southern and Polly Christian had created the opening.

Perkins produced a string of fine stops to ensure coach Elaine Shepperd an easier half-time pep talk and her words of encouragement didn't go unheeded as Lottie Russell almost grabbed a second.

Tyrrell's last-ditch interception foiled a City breakaway 12 minutes after the restart before Perkins again came to the rescue with another crucial kick away.

Cambridge came closest to levelling ten minutes from time when a shot grazed a post with Perkins beaten while Christian's late effort - had it not have been blocked - would have ended two minutes of nail-biting.

As it was, the Henry's supporters took great delight in counting down the seconds before leaps of joy and hugs of congratulations were the prelude to a marvellous triumph.

All that was left was for a smiling Southern to climb the stairs and receive the silverware - not the only souvenir of a memorable occasion.