The U16 boys’ team success in the EH Cup Tier 1 competition continues with a quarter-final win against strong opposition at the weekend. Winchester now has a home semi-final against Sevenoaks. The match takes place on Sunday 27th June at Kings School with a 1.30pm push back, for those that would like to come along and support!

This week’s update also has information for those that would like to volunteer with the club as part of their Duke of Edinburgh awards.

More info on the new season to follow in the next few weeks as planning continues in earnest behind the scenes!

Winchester U16 Boys March Into National Cup Semi-Finals

EH CUP QUARTER-FINAL V SURBITON - SCORE 3 - 2

Scorers: Ollie Lander, Alfie Marsh, Dylan Coleman

If this was a giant killing, no-one told the boys. The Winchester U16s travelled to Surbiton, unquestionably the top hockey club in England, for the England Hockey National Championship quarter-final, and emerged victorious with a thoroughly deserved 3-2 victory.

The last time these teams met was in the U14 England Hockey Championship, two years ago, and the classy Surbiton side clinically dispatched Winchester 4-0 and went on to become national champions. However, Winchester has matured and grown since then, and have been strengthened by the recruitment of three key players in Coleman, Cooke and Hobkirk.

Whether it was the memories of the last meeting, or simply the effects of the long journey, Winchester got off to a terrible start with De Lara’s desperate attempt to prevent a breakaway goal conceding a penalty flick and being shown a 10-minute yellow card for his troubles. The boys showed remarkable resilience, and gradually began to assert themselves on the game. The remaining yellow card period was comfortably negotiated and soon after returning to a full complement of players, Winchester drew level from a penalty corner clinically dispatched by Lander. The game was even now, and both teams were playing some great hockey, but it was to swing Surbiton’s way again, as Winchester suffered two further first half yellow cards, the first after Long’s rash challenge and then goalkeeper, Loveridge, sliding out to shut down a Surbiton attack and unlucky to touch the ball outside of the D. Surbiton scored from the penalty corner award against Long and had their best period of pressure. However, shortly before half-time, Marsh got things back on track with a trademark goal, picking the ball up 30 yards from goal, beating several defenders and calmly sliding the ball past the keeper.

At half time, the boys knew the game was there for the taking and they dominated at the start of the second half. Wedderburn showed his versality, and was magnificent in all areas of the pitch. Lander, despite Surbiton’s attempts to man-mark him, dominated the midfield. Long and Crompton controlled the game superbly from the back and Coleman showed his attacking flair with a succession of skilful runs. The pressure was bound to tell, and this time it was Surbiton that felt the heat from the umpires, with several cards shown and penalty corners awarded to Winchester. Lander attacked down the right, beat several players along the baseline and pulled the ball back for Coleman to coolly slot passed the Surbiton keeper. There was still plenty of time left, and both goalkeepers, Gianni now for Winchester, pulled off quality saves. Winchester worked tirelessly to defend their lead. As time ticked away, the sight of De Lara intercepting and charging the full length of the pitch carrying the ball to the attacking corner to see out the last minute, summed up the team attitude and his personal resilience after conceding the early card and penalty flick.

Team: Loveridge, Gianni, Maclean, Hobkirk, Long, Talks, Coleman, Crompton, Kilpatrick, Cooke, Wedderburn, De Lara, Wilson, Marsh, Lander.

Winchester now has a home semi-final against Sevenoaks. The match takes place on Sunday 27th June at Kings School, 1.30pm push back.

England Hockey National Cup

In addition to our U16 boys’ success, other local clubs have also successfully progressed through to the EH Cup semi-finals. With hindsight, as a club we had a very difficult draw in the first round of the cup with all of our opponents progressing to the semi-final stages.

The full semi-final line ups are as follows:

U18 BOYS

Canterbury v Cambridge City

Stourport v Hampton-in-Arden

U18 GIRLS (TRIANGULAR FINAL)

Ben Rhydding v Wakefield

Bowdon v Matlock

Richmond v Teddington

U16 BOYS

Winchester v Sevenoaks

Bowdon v Clifton Robinsons

U16 GIRLS

Knole Park v Wimbledon

Thirsk v Bournemouth

U14 BOYS (TRIANGULAR FINAL)

Clifton Robinsons v Trojans

Cambridge City v North Norfolk

Leek v Bowdon

U14 GIRLS (TRIANGULAR FINAL)

Knole Park v Cambridge City

York v Repton

Clifton Robinsons v Trojans

“D of E” Volunteers Programme Season 2021-22

The Junior section runs a very successful volunteer programme for juniors in conjunction with the national Duke of Edinburgh award scheme with many young players helping out as assistant coaches within our junior coaching groups as part of their D of E award. If any juniors want to take part next season, they should express their interest with a quick email to Richard Macer to register with the Club in order to take part from September 2021. They can also contact Richard during the season should they sign up to the awards programme later on (but they may have to join a waiting list if there are no current vacancies at the time).

This current (extended) season has of course been very disruptive, so some volunteers may not have completed sufficient sessions to meet the D of E criteria and may wish to do more to complete. Also if any of those volunteers still need the lead coach to sign off for documentation then get in touch!