Boys' U18 County Championships

Thursday 28th January. Home on the water-based

1.30pm Repton 7 - 0 Highfields

3.30pm Repton 7 - 0 Anthony Gell

4.50pm Repton 0 - 1 Trent

Team:S.Attwood, J.Williams, M.Dewis, M.Guest, A.Clarke-Dowson, C.Twigg, W.Byas, L.Watton, G.Osborne, R.Ho Chan, H.Rees-Jones, S.Mullen, J.Golding, M.Pearse, D.Blackwood

Unavailable - Luke Samra, Nic Reineke, Adrian Roseanu

Match Report:  After two comfortable victories in the opening games the final group game against Trent would decide the seedings for the next round of the competition.  A draw was enough for Repton to top the pool and this may have accounted for an edgy opening fifteen minutes.  As has been the case so far this season, possession was too easily wasted and this allowed Trent plenty of possession and territory.  Trent were the better team in the first half but had little to show for it as they failed to create any clear-cut chances apart from one penalty corner which was well blocked.

The second half saw a much-improved Repton.  Good inter-play by Leo Watton and Will Byas through midfield helped the side to get a grip of the game and Repton asserted good pressure on the Trent back-line.  Three short corners were unsuccessful and Trent defended very well allowing only a few open play chances.  These chances were snatched at when a composed decision was needed.  Trent scored for a good break and slotted past Stephen Attwood who slid out in an attempt to deny the space to shoot.  A frantic final five minutes ensued as Repton searched for the equaliser but Trent defended resolutely and kept possession cleverly when they had to.

This was a disappointing result but thanks to the new format of the competition Repton progress to the Midland Zone round in the coming weeks.