Junior 1s Excel at the U13 Hockey County Tournament
On Friday 6 November our Junior 1st Hockey team set off for the County Cup with much anticipation and expectation from this ambitious group. Everything was done to try keep the focus on the process and playing every minute as it comes, and not a final outcome. When you do all you can and perform to your best every moment, that takes care of itself. And the team did just that.
It was a long day with almost two hours of Hockey played, and our team did not relent for a moment. There was a scare in the opening match, when a comfortable 3-0 lead against Culford was almost squandered in the closing minutes. But our quality prevailed for a 3-2 win.
This set us up nicely for a thrilling encounter with Fram College, who got the better of us in a curtain raiser earlier this year. This time round our team was so prepared. They executed their plan and skills expertly for most of the game. Chances, saves, near misses, hitting the post. Everything done right but not the goal we needed and deserved! For eight minutes Fram could not get out of their half, but credit where credit is due, they escaped our defensive clutches, got a PC and scored a telling goal. Very gracious in victory, our team’s quality was acknowledged and that they deserved more from the game.
The next five pool games saw the team rack up the goals and convincingly outplay, Ipswich School (3-0), Ipswich High School (3-0), Barnadiston Hall (2-1), Finborough (4-0) and RHS (5-0). The match against Orwell Park would be telling; the winner all but securing their place at the Regional Finals. Woodbridge repeated their dominance from midweek, despite tired legs – it is surprising what big hearts can do! 3-0 to Woodbridge. One more big push against OBH in which Year 8’s Darcey scored a vital deflection to give us the win.
Nine matches, eight wins! 24 goals scored, just four conceded.
Goals scored by Year 8’s Issy (10), Sofia (8), Coco (3), Darcey (2) and Year 7’s Harriet! Players-of-the-Day voted by the team were joint winners Issy and Coco.
Well done to every player who was brilliant and highlighted by opposition and spectators alike. Thanks to parents for fantastic support on the side. The team now look forward to the Regional Finals early in December at Rushmere Sport Centre.
