U16 Boys win Second National Silver Medal of the Season

U16 Boys win Second National Silver Medal of the Season

On Wednesday 26 April our U16 Hockey boys travelled to Lee Valley National Hockey Stadium for the U16 Tier 2 National Final vs Trent College. The boys knocked out some well-known hockey playing schools on the way including Kingston Grammar and St Lawrence College and were full of confidence heading into the game. They started well, creating a clear-cut chance that fizzed across the face of goal, Theo B. just could not get enough on the ball to direct it goalward. After some resolute defending, the boys held out and headed into half time all square, 0-0.

After a rousing half time team talk, the team came out of the blocks firing, and forced a number of penalty corners, executing a well work routine which saw the outstanding Will Lumbard hit the roof of the net to make it 1-0. Some end-to-end hockey followed, but a moment of brilliance by Josh F. followed, at full stretch, volleying a half pitch aerial pass from Will L. into the far corner past the onrushing goalkeeper to put the boys 2-0 up with 15 minutes to play.

4 minutes later Trent College pushed forward and an incredibly skillful run by their forward ended in the ball being lifted over goalkeeper Alex S. to half the deficit, making for a nail-biting finish. Some further pressure from Trent forced a mistake and led to a scrappy equalising goal with 8 minutes to go. Our boys pushed forwards and finished the game on the front foot, but ultimately could not find a way through as the game finished 2-2.

On to the shootout with players going one vs one against the goalkeeper and having 8 seconds to score. Trent College were cool and calm and slotted their 3 opening shootouts whilst our boys just couldn’t find a way past their goalkeeper leading to a Trent victory.

The final ended in defeat for the boys, but that only tells a tiny proportion of the story the team have written this season. After making the final of the U16 National Indoor competition earlier in the season, and now making the final of the National outdoor Tier 2 competition, they become the most successful hockey team the school has had in recent history. They have grown as a group and given everything for the school and for that, the school is forever thankful. They should be extremely proud of their achievements this year and we are really looking forward to seeing them continue to develop as a team moving in to the sixth form.

Team: Alex S., Sammy H., Jack F., Theo B., Robert T., Casey M., Ethan vH., Josh F., Sammy W., Freddie L., Seb T-S., Jack B., William A., Sam G., Will L., Will T., George P.