Reading Boys U18b make it the the EH T3 Cup National Final

An outstanding performance from the Reading U18b team saw them become worthy winners of a great cup semi-final match at Sonning Lane yesterday. Having the good fortune to be drawn at home to Chesterfield the U18b didn't waste the opportunity and finished 3-1 victors. The visitors were perhaps in a little in awe of the wider reputation of Reading Hockey Club and this was was seized upon by the Reading team who never really allowed them to settle.

The first half was tight, the score remained 0-0 with Reading having the better of the chances until just a couple of minutes before half time they managed to make one count. A few wise words were said by coach Pete Roseff in the break and Reading carried on in the second half where they left off. Good tight play saw them have a few more chances until the second goal went in and everyone was able to relax a little. Both sides had several short corners in a busy bit of end to end play but none finding the net. Until one did. The large Chesterfield following erupted and the Reading crowd groaned. The boys responded though. They kept their work rate up and concentration levels high. They made far fewer errors than in previous games. At times the midfield looked green from the Chesterfield shirts but this was because the Reading players were defending in numbers. The speed of the Reading forwards on the breakaway made the look the far more likely team to score. And they did, with four minutes remaining on the clock Reading scored their third which put a little breathing space between them and their opposition!

The prize for winning is a place in the Final which is at Reading Hockey Club on the 11th May. It is the Saturday before A Levels and GCSE start for many of the boys so some hard work is required between now and then. We may just have to call the Final a 'Study Group'!

Well done Reading U18b's!