Saturday was an amazing day for Thames Valley hockey, with Reading Girls and Marlow Boys both being crowned u18 national champions at Lee Valley hockey stadium in the Olympic Park.

Reading beat Ben Rhydding 5-3 to win the title. They had a comfortable 4-1 lead at half time but the Yorkshire side then mounted a spirited recovery to come within a goal before Manmeet Saundh (from Maidenhead) got Reading's fifth to secure victory. Damon Hill has coached some of these girls for 4 years and they were runners-up in last year’s final so it was a particularly special day, especially as for many this marked their last match before A levels and university.

Marlow boys had beaten off the same opposition as the Reading girls in the quarter and semi finals – Surbiton and Harleston Magpies – and now met Bournemouth in their final. They were trailing to an early goal for much of the match despite having most of the possession, however they scored from a penalty flick with 5 minutes to go to take the tie to penalty shuffles. Max Ellis, the Marlow goalkeeper, was the hero saving 3 of 4 Bournemouth attempts whilst Marlow strikers confidently converted all theirs. Coach Kate Porter has coached this cohort of boys for 5 years and they threw her up in the air to celebrate.

4 of the Reading girls and 13 of the Marlow boys attend Sir William Borlase's grammar school and the mutual support and camaraderie from each set of fans was superb. It is great to see two local teams do so well and no doubt the young colts at both clubs will be training with renewed purpose next season.

Contacts:

Sue Gutierrez – spokesperson for Reading HC – guties4@gmail.com - 07840276986
Kate Porter – spokesperson for Marlow HC – kateporter1@gmail.com