Boys' 1st XI National Finals

Date: Monday 19th and Tuesday 20th April at Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club.

Team: Stephen Attwood, Jeremy Williams, Matthew Dewis, Huw Rees-Jones, Charlie Twigg,  Steven Mullen, Declan Blackwood, Leo Watton, Will Byas, Nicolas Reineke, Ricky Ho Chan, George Osborne, Alex Clarke-Dowson, Josh Golding, Adrian Roseanu, Marke Pearse, Michael Guest (17)

DAY ONE UPDATE

A very tense opening game saw an end-to-end affair with both sides having chances.  Stephen Attwood made a couple of brave blocks with support from Jeremy Williams and Alex Clarke-Dowson who were excellent at tidying up.  Despite Repton ending the first half on the front foot The Perse began the second half more brightly and it was a temporary suspension to one of their players which ultimately told.  George Osborne and Steven Mullen were a real handful throughout and it was their tricky skills which lead to the yellow card for the Perse's defender.   A clinical short corner finish from Huw Rees-Jones was the difference between the two sides and the first three points were secured despite a very nervy last few minutes.

The second game, against Calday Grange, was more straightforward.   Another short corner goal from Huw Rees-Jones opened the scoring and Steven Mullen scored the second with one of the best goals that I have ever seen.  A thirty yard run beating a number of players whilst juggling the ball in the air and bouncing over sticks was finished off with a reverse stick rocket in to the top right hand corner of the goal.  The game was rather lifeless after that but it was a job well done.

Group Standings after day one - Langley Park 6pts (+4), Repton 6pts (+3), Dean Close 1pt, The Perse 1pt, Calday Grange 0pts

DAY TWO UPDATE

After a morning relaxing in the hotel the first game of the afternoon would decide the group winner.  An under-strength Langley Park side threw aerials from every dead-ball, as they had done the day before, but the boys were prepared and disciplined.  Huw Rees-Jones and Ricky Ho Chan were brave in the forward line with Will Byas and Jeremy Williams faultless in receiving the long balls.  A perfectly executed set piece saw Will Byas adding the final touch for the winning goal.  Langley Park did create chances of their own but Stephen Attwood continued his incredible form.

Another Steven Mullen reverse-stick strike in the first minute against Dean Close assured the place in the final and gave the chance to rest tiring players.  Mark Pearse, Matt Dewis and Declan Blackwood worked tirelessly and Josh Golding was confident and composed at the back.  Adrian Roseanu, who played every minute throughout the tournament, continued to charge up and down the right flank and was superb in his defensive work throughout.  Another Huw Rees-Jones goal clinched the three points despite a good Dean Close goal and a Stephen Attwood short-corner block on the final whistle.

Group Standings - Repton (12pts), Perse (7pts), Langley Park (6pts), Dean Close (4pts), Calday Grange (0pts)

The final against Whitgift was an incredible game that will be remembered for a long time.  Whitgift, who had looked very impressive in the group stages, dominated the first ten minutes and scored the opening goal when Stephen Attwood was sent off for a mis-timed challenge.  Leo Watton donned the gloves for the resultant penalty and was helpless to stop Whitgift taking a deserved lead.  A gamble to play with ten outfielders and no goalkeeper paid off as Whitgift failed to press forward.  Charlie Twigg's suspension and Will Byas's injury just before the break meant that the half-time talk was then organising a patch-up job.  The plan to defend and keep the score to 1-0 until we were back to full strength was executed through sheer hard work and commitment.  With ten minutes to go, and now back to a full complement, Repton pressed forward and Huw Rees-Jones scored to level.   An unlucky yellow card given to a Whitgift forward with six minutes left meant that the momentum was firmly with the Repton boys who pressed on.  Ricky Ho Chan connected with two Leo Watton through balls and scored excellent deflected goals to clinch Repton's first ever U18 boys' title.

This is an amazing, and deserved, achievement from a group of boys who have probably surprised everybody, including themsleves.  Thank you to all the parents, staff, governors, friends and OR's who were there to support -  it is very much appreciated.

Monday 19th April

16:50 Repton 1 - 0 The Perse (East Champions) Huw Rees-Jones (PC)

18:30 Repton 2 - 0 Calday Grange Grammar School (North Champions) Huw Rees-Jones (PC), Steve Mullen (F)

Tuesday 20th April

14:20 Repton 1 - 0 Langley Park (South Runners-Up) Will Byas (PC)

16:50 Repton 2 - 1 Dean Close (West Runners-Up) (Steven Mullen (F), Huw Rees-Jones (F))

18:00 National Final...Repton 3 - 1 Whitgift (South Winners) Huw Rees-Jones (F), Ricky Ho Chan (F), (F)

Other Group - Ipswich, Bromsgrove, QEGS Wakefield, Canford, Whitgift