Last week, as the sun set on a cold but sunny spring Thursday, the U14 boys hockey team reflected on 48 hours of enjoyable and successful sporting achievements.
Wednesday 31st January 2024
U14 Super7’s Hockey Festival – Lord Wandsworth College
First up was an afternoon at Lord Wandsworth College to partake in festival hockey with some rather interesting rules to adapt to for both players and umpires.
Each match started with a keeper’s penalty shot kick and quickly descended into chaos, with players able to defend a free hit from a metre, 3-minute power plays instigated by both teams and multiple points scored for single goals.
The boys took time to adapt to both the rules and pace of the games, starting slow and conceding quickly, but improved in confidence and effort in every game, with a strong showing in their final game against skilled opposition.
Games against Warminster School, Royal Grammar School High Wycombe and finally against A and B teams from hosts Lord Wandsworth College resulted in a draw and 3 losses, and lots of lessons learned.
Thursday 1st February 2024
U14 Hampshire Hockey Festival – Southampton Sports Centre
Next up, a day of ‘proper’ 7-a-side hockey at Southampton Sports Centre for the U14 Boys Hampshire Hockey Festival.
Game 1 vs Embley – A rushed journey from a late ferry led to a slow start for our boys with a sluggish performance. They grew into the game with multiple attacks, but were unable to convert their chances and a 0-0 result was recorded.
Game 2 vs Thornden – A much tougher test with very skilled opposition meant a higher-paced game with lots of scoring opportunities for both teams. Going 1-0 down in the first 10 seconds was a wake-up call leading to an inspired performance from goalkeeper Nate B and defensive strength that left Thornden unable to convert until a chance in the last 30 seconds – 0-2 loss.
Game 3 vs Durlston Court School – A scrappy and messy affair from both sides meant efforts at goal were limited. A solo effort from Cian SB proved the difference between the two teams and a first victory for the TIFS boys – 1-0 win.
Game 4 vs Romsey Bs – Well aware that a win would be the only chance of reaching the semi-finals, a fast-paced game with big efforts from everyone meant constant attacks of the opposition goal with little reply. A well taken penalty corner shot, and a great team goal both finished by Cian SB and TIFS ran out 2-0 winners.
SEMI-FINAL time against arguably one of the best teams at the festival in Ballard and we knew it would be a tough game. An inspiring pre-match talk from Mr Milton including the phrases ‘work for each other’ and ‘make the ball do the work’ saw TIFS work their socks off to keep the Ballard forwards out of the goal, goalie Nate B proving to be a brick wall leading to a goalless draw at full time. The pressure of penalty strokes…
Ballard Stroke 1: A Goalkeeping Masterclass Part 1 = Nate 1 – Ballard 0
TIFS Stroke 1: Noah fools the keeper with pace and scores – TIFS lead 1-0
Ballard Stroke 2: A Goalkeeping Masterclass Part 2 = Nate 2 – Ballard 0
TIFS Stroke 2: Peter narrowly misses the target – TIFS still lead 1-0
Ballard Stroke 3: A Goalkeeping Masterclass Part 3 = Nate 3 – Ballard 0
TIFS WIN ON STROKES 1-0… on to the Final and a rematch vs Thornden
FINAL – A short turn-around and the final had begun with Thornden enjoying waves of attack but the defensive line of Seb F and Noah F-S stood firm. TIFS enjoyed forward momentum and built pressure but showed the fatigue of the day and were not able to take advantage of chances, including a shot put wide of an open goal. Once again a 0-0 result at full-time, and with a ferry to catch both teams agreed to share the plaudits of first-place.
A marvellous showing from our U14 boys to top the tree of this Hampshire Hockey tournament stacked with Independent Schools, and a vast number of very good hockey players. Thanks to Mr Milton for his encouragement who ended the day as a very proud coach, and to Miss Fraser for driving and umpiring. We look forward to seeing what these boys achieve in the next few years.
