Match report for U12B regional finals

Blue sky, sunshine. A Perfect morning for the boys. The great thing about today was that all the boys in the squad are of a similar ability which meant subbing was going to be easier and no one over played. Having said that, on paper it is a defender heavy side.

We started with a fabulous 2-0 win over reading, winners of the Berks Cup, with successful long corners from Leo Pennant and Christopher Jackson. One of those matches where you feel you have really progressed over the season and the boys have listened, learned and are putting theory into practice. Tight defence and some great jab tackles by Seb Peperell, Jacob Gunn and Sam Gillen and Sam Rollett. Then came Marden Russets, second to Canterbury in the Kent cup. We went 1-0 up with a wonderful goal from Will Perry Adlam. Unfortunately they then scored twice, once from a ball that didn't travel 5m and another from a corner that shouldn't have been awarded. This was to haunt us later...our third match, Surbiton. They outplayed us with fantastic shots on goal and intercepted our passes. And yet Elliot Kent still managed to save quite are few total rockets, in spite of the sun being directly in his eyes. Heads went down and concentration lapsed. Where was the passion we had for the Reading match? We were hammered 0-6. But we were back for the fourth and final round robin, with great goals from Joel Smith and Sam Rollett. We beat the Trojans from Hampshire 3-1. Sadly we needed to win by 3 goals to go through to the knocks. Coming joint second wasn't enough, and we were two goals down on goal difference. If only that goal on the Marden match hadn't been allowed, and if we had lost to Surbiton only 0-4 or 0-5!

But we left with our heads held high, having played some intelligent hockey. This group is fast and strong and they do work very well together with good coercion and teamwork.

Thanks of course goes to Caroline Smith, again, for getting the right people there with the right intel and kit. We had a great turnout of parents to cheer us on but I would like to highlight wise contributions from Hils who came to be our umpire, and Ben Rollett to be strategic coach and bring some fresh ideas and youth to the management! Thank you both Hils and Ben. But my man of the match goes to George Atkins. New this season to hockey, he showed immense tenacity and bravery with fabulous posting up and block tackles. Well done George.

The whole team and parents offered their thanks once again to Allie Pennant who coached, organised and kept the boys focussed.
Week in, week out In rain and shine Allie has been there to help coach the BU12s. A great volunteer asset to our club.