Boys U14-U18: Mercian League Play Offs

Mercian League Play Offs
6th May 2007. Canterbury HC

Last weekend the boys juniors represented Reading in the Mercian finals
play off day. Uniquely Reading HC had sides in all 3 age groups, U14,
U16 and U18. The format for each age is to play a semi final and then a
final on the same day to determine the champions for each group.

First up were the U14 who had the short straw of a 1000 start in
Canterbury. They played really well in the first half against the
eventual winners Steven Batchelor Academy and turned around 2 – 1 up at
half time but were beaten by a good side who produced a some excellent
hockey to finally lose 5 – 2. This meant a third fourth playoff against
Oxford Hawks. Despite leading again at half time (2 – 0) this time we
were pegged back for a drawer and lost on penalties. A shame that we
played SBA in the semis as we were the second best team in the event but
as a result of the drawer and our desire to get everybody equal pitch
time once we could not win it meant the team after a great season came
home only as South West champions (trophy one).

Next was the U18. They cruised past in the Eastcote in the semi final 4
- 0 and set up a crunch final against hosts Canterbury, who they play
again in 2 weeks at the HA cup finals weekend. Lots to play for then. In
a often brutal match a solitary goal mid way through the first half was
enough for Reading to win the match, despite being reduced to 9 men for
a period in the second half. So our second Mercian U18 title, (trophy 2)
as well the South west league title (trophy 3) and for the second time
in 3 years we picked up the fair play award (trophy 4). This is an
interesting decision given the yellow cards and can only reflect the
general consensus which was that after 40 minutes of taking punishment
we were incorrectly punished for a couple of miss timed tackles. Some
justice I think.

Finally it was the turn of the U16. Already crowned Premier league
champions (trophy 5) they brushed aside a rather aggressive (verbally
rather than physically, towards the umpires) Bromley side 5 – 2. At
times producing the hockey that this side can. This meant a final
against Guildford. After a pulsating first half where Reading should
have been 3 – 0 ahead, they only turned around 0 – 0. A tactical switch
by the opposition and tiredness took it’s toll and it was now Reading
who were lucky, with some great goalkeeping, to finish the half still
goalless. This unfortunately meant golden goal and after some early
pressure Guildford broke to scramble the winner home.

So we returned to Reading with 5 trophies and a reputation maintained
for good hockey played in the right spirit

This Sunday sees the girls U11 representing the south in the National
Minis event at Highfields Sports Club, Beeston. All support welcome.
http://www.beestonhockeyclub.com/Directions.htm

The following weekend it is the Boys U15 and U18 in the HA cup finals at
Birmingham University ground.

So busy couple of weeks ahead

Terry Walden