Hockey history has been made once more at Repton after the U18 boys carried off the National Schools Championships title for the first time ever this week.
The boys’ victory in the Championships, the top event for schools hockey, came after two days of games at Cannock Hockey Club. They had won their place in the finals after becoming Midlands champions in March.
Of the ten teams competing in the finals, Repton was the only one to win every one of its five matches and conceded just two goals in doing so. The excellent performance was in spite of the fact that one member of the squad missed the tournament and another arrived on the second day after a 39-hour coach and ferry journey because of the volcano flights chaos.
Over the two-day tournament Repton beat The Perse (1– 0) Calday Grange Grammar School (2-0) on Monday (April 19) and secured victories over Langley Park (1 - 0) and Dean Close (2 - 1) yesterday. (Tuesday April 20).
In the final game of the tournament Repton faced South Champions Whitgift and delivered a sound performance that produced a 3-1 title-winning result.
This is the first time the Repton U18 boys have taken the prestigious national title; having come closest in the 1998 and 1999 when they lost in both final matches on penalty flicks. A member of those teams was Martin Jones, our Director of Hockey and coach to the boys’ team.
Commenting on the tournament, Martin said: “I am absolutely delighted for the boys who have worked really hard, both during the season and over the last couple of days. They have remained focused and at last have gained the recognition they deserve.”
A crowd of Repton supporters including the Headmaster, parents, staff, governors and Old Reptonians cheered the boys on during the final match.
Commenting afterwards, the Headmaster said: “We are very proud of the boys and absolutely delighted with the outcome of the hard work that they, Martin and Simon Clague have put into securing this title.
“Winning the country’s top schools titles for both boys and girls further demonstrates that Repton’s coaching, staff, training schedules and preparation are the very best.”
Please click here for the match report and photographs.
Posted on
Wed, April 21, 2010
by Repton School