Boys' 1st XI, U18 National Indoor Finals

Date: Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th January

Venue: Fleming Park, Eastleigh (Hampshire)

Team: S.Attwood, C.Twigg, W.Byas, J.Williams, L.Watton, A.Clarke-Dowson, G.Osborne, S.Mullen, R.Ho Chan, A.Roseanu

Saturday: 14:15 Repton - Perse L6-3

               18:45 Repton - Hall Cross W8-3

Sunday:   11:15 Repton - Millfield W3-2

               14:15 Repton - Kingston D3-3

               16:45 Semi Finals v Ipswich L4-3

Report:

This was certainly a weekend of contrasting emotions. We had a terrible start in the first game, going 4 – 0 down in no time at all to The Perse. However, to their credit the boys did slowly find their feet and managed to make the final score a more respectable 6 – 3. However, we were now in the situation where, to stay in the hunt for a place in the semi-finals, we had to win the second match against Hall Cross, which we did with ease (8 – 3).

The second day provided one of the most exciting and compelling days of indoor hockey that I can remember and I was hugely impressed by the way the Repton boys progressed through the day, developing quickly as an efficient and organised indoor team. First up were Millfield who were beaten 3 – 2 which meant that we needed only a draw in our last group game to secure a place in the national semi-final. However, Kingston GS had, as usual, looked one of the best indoor teams at the tournament and we found ourselves 3 – 0 down at half-time. Three spectacular goals from Adrian Roseneau and an outstanding goalkeeping performance from Stephen Attwood meant that it was 3 – 3 at the end (although Kingston did miss a penalty with the last touch of the game). 

The strong favourites in our semi-final were Ipswich School who play a considerable amount of indoor hockey. However, through a strange style of counter-attacking hockey we found ourselves 3 – 1 up half way through the second half. Ipswich were finding it very difficult to break down the pressing of Roseneau, Steve Mullen and George Osborne and Charlie Twigg and Will Byas were sensational in defence. This was until a moment of ill-discipline resulted in the award of a short corner from which they scored. Now needing only one more goal our opponents calmed down and took their time to defeat us 4 – 3.

Understandably the boys were very disappointed but I hope by now they are able to appreciate their considerable achievement and use this to facilitate further success in their outdoor game.