U14 Boys

EH Tier 2 Cup Semi-Final As vs Folkestone - 1-5

Scorer: Will V

A long trip to Folkestone meant an early start for the Winchester U14 boys’ team for their semi-final match in the EH cup, not helped by the M25 road closure. Spirits were high and some nervous energy was showing for the warm up in the rain, but with a strong away presence from travelling supporters and around 100 spectators, the atmosphere was buzzing and the game was sure to be a good one.

The match started really strongly for Winchester with some early pressure in Folkestone's D and around the final quarter of the pitch, however it was Folkestone who scored first from a break away, knocking the wind a bit from the Winchester team’s sails. This loss of confidence resulted in sustained pressure and goal number two from a Folkestone short corner. Winchester’s heads refused to go down and they were rewarded with a penalty flick from a foot on the line which Will Vincent dispatched with a calm captain's head. That led to a 2-1 score to the hosts going into half time and it was still anyone's game to win.

The second half was more of a challenge for Winchester as Folkestone started to close down the middle of the pitch and Winchester couldn't break out of a strong press nor capitalise on their wingers. This resulted in numerous turnovers and easy interceptions for Folkestone who took advantage with pressure, short corners and - over the course of the second half - three goals with no reply from Winchester who, whilst playing their hearts out, couldn't find the space or connection with their attackers. A 5-1 final scoreline was obviously disappointing to lose, however the boys can be proud to have come in the top four of a national competition and can now start to work towards the National U16 competition in a couple of seasons’ time and hopefully go a step further.

Bs Vs Alton Bs - 0-9

Winchester U14 Bs fielded several new players on Sunday to experience some match play for the first time and it was soon obvious that the opposition, Alton B team, were carrying the odd experienced A team player to make up their B team. The first half proved to be a very much one-sided affair with a wide imbalance of match experience, resulting in the hosts being 7-0 down despite gallant defending and some excellent goalkeeping by Latham.

In the second half, Alton restricted their stronger players to just playing in their defence and the revised balance of skills across the pitch did help the Winchester youngsters to get into the game a bit more. They got the chance to create some very credible moves and to at last test the visiting goalkeeper. Alton did score twice more and with such a strong defence ensured they did not concede any goals to seal the final score, but from the home players’ point of view it was great to see them work so hard throughout, and show that with more experience there will be some good young hockey players emerging from the squad before too long.

U12 Girls

Division 1 Play-Off

The cry “Welcome to Hades’ Den!”, not dissimilar to the Galatasaray visitors of the late 90s, greeted Winchester U12 girls on a blustery and showery Sunday morning in Haslemere. Woolmer Hill campus was anything but educational in its welcome. The four leading teams in the league facing off in a tense round robin competition.

And yet this unfriendly atmosphere washed off the backs of the Winchester girls, who turned up with fire in their bellies and twinkles in their eyes. Only three games and three wins were in their plan for the day.

First up Trojans, dispatched with a 2-0 win.

Next up were Alton. From the off it was clear our girls had the upper hand. Solid in defence, creative in midfield and (almost) clinical in attack. Another 2-0 win.

Finally, the hosts, the team who felt they deserved the title. Winchester needed to be on their game, and they were. Despite a wobble which gifted Haslemere an equalizer, some breathtaking goalkeeping and outrageous midfield creativity ensured the three wins stayed firmly in Winchester hands. Overall 6-1, Emily with four, Millie with one and the tireless Charlii with a single but deserved goal.

With Nick ‘Fergie’ Tout at the tiller, Winchester U12s remain the team to beat.

Yellows division 2 north league champions play-off vs Andover

So a season that started in the baking heat and glorious sunshine of September came down to a wet and grey Sunday morning in March. Unfortunately, the league leaders Basingstoke and third place Yately pulled out, leaving it a single match shoot out between the Yellows and Andover for top spot. Winchester started well, with Bundle again proving strong in central midfield and causing Winchester to have the early pressure and create a number of chances on the Andover goal. However, getting any clear shots on goal proved difficult and as the chances came and went, Andover grew into the game. They started to have a few chances themselves, ratcheting up the nerves of both players and coaches. So with half time approaching, the game became tighter and tighter and the play nervier and nervier. It seemed that one mistake or one moment of brilliance might decide the match and therefore the league.

Winchester became very narrow in their shape and normally composed players were snatching at the ball and making simple errors building even more pressure on the yellow shoulders. Andover ended the half dominating and had a few close chances, but with Jess and Liv resolute in defence as always, and with Sophia T making a couple of important saves, Winchester held out. As the half time whistle was beginning to be wetted, Andover had a couple of penalty corners, the last of which was fired goalwards and after a ricochet or two, rattled the Winchester post and nerves further. The ball spun up and back down towards the goal line… hearts were in mouths, gasps held in bubbles and time slowed as the ball crept towards the Winchester line. Out of the bundle of players, up stepped our own brilliant Bundle, reacting forcefully to sweep the ball away to safety. With it went many of the nerves coursing round the field, as well as Andover’s best chance of causing an upset. The half-time whistle blew and Winchester gratefully took the time to take stock and refocus.

Identifying that they needed to maintain their shape, especially width when attacking and also being more accurate and deliberate in their passing, Winchester started the second half playing some really good hockey. In particular Jess, Lana, Bundle and Jemima were strong on the ball and linking up with some really good passing. Winchester were finally playing some of the brilliant hockey that they have shown all season: rock solid defence, fast and accurate transitions and a threat on goal. Andover were teetering.

Winchester, buoyed by the larger area to attack, were getting a lot of shots off at goal and finally the pressure paid. After more good work by Jemima down the right, the ball eventually broke to Eva, who seized this chance and smashed the ball determinedly into the back of the goal with a satisfying thud. From there Winchester’s confidence grew and more good hockey followed with goals from Bundle and Jemima. 4-0 and full time, Winchester yellows were champions!

A wonderful and fitting reward for a season of effort and excellence. It was so great to see the improvement of both teams on display with some fantastic and exciting hockey played in this season finale. Players of the match, as voted for by Andover, were Jess in defence and Bundle in attack. However, as it has been all season, it really was a team effort and everyone played their part. From Sofia DN’s mesmerising skill, to Eva’s powerful shooting. From Liv’s brave defence, to Jemima’s great driving runs and cut backs. From Sophia’s excellent saves, to Scarlett’s sensational scoring. From Bundle’s brilliance all over the pitch to Jess’ brilliance at the back. But special mention must go to Lana, who again played with great spirit and maturity as she has done through out the season. She has improved immensely and really summed up a great season today with her tireless, excellent and selfless play. One of the joys of team sports is teamwork. And today, as they have done all season, Winchester yellows demonstrated that through great teamwork, great things can be achieved.

Afterwards, Andover and Winchester played out a friendly and again everyone showed great effort and application; both matches were played in a great spirit and with fantastic effort. A fitting finale to a fabulous season - well played the yellows and all who have played for them.

Purples Division 2 West Playoff

Match 1 vs Romsey A 0-3

We were not the pushover Romsey expected. The girls worked as an excellent team, defending vigorously against a very well-drilled side and were unlucky not to score on several occasions. The girls certainly pulled out all the stops and did themselves and the club proud. Well deserved player of the match to Agatha.

Match 2 vs Trojans B 3-0

We played a very sound game, but fatigue was a definite part of the first half - back-to-back games are always tricky. However, in the second half, the girls started passing more and generating more chances of a good result. Scout scored two and Izzy one, and Agatha was player of the match.

A great way to end the league fixtures, heads held high and enjoying every moment. Well done Winchester Purple!

U10 Girls

In2Hockey County Championship

Winchester Hockey Club's U10 girls made an impressive debut at the 2024 In2Hockey Cup held in Aldershot. In their inaugural competition outing, the team showcased their burgeoning skills and resilience throughout the day.

Facing off against hosts Aldershot & Farnham in their opening match, WHC initially faced nerves but quickly found their stride, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory to kickstart their campaign.

Next came Havant. Heidi, Grace and Eloise provided a wall in defence that Havant were unable to break through despite a number of short corners and Cajsa was unbeatable in goal. Annabelle & Jamie battled ferociously in the middle of the pitch before a penetrating run on the left from Chloe enabled Millie to force an impressive save from the Havant keeper. Aoife provided excitement upfront with a number of attempts, first hitting the post from near the edge of the D before eventually providing the single winning goal of the game… two in two.

In the third match against Andover, WHC began to find their stride and move the ball with confidence between them. Andover couldn’t contain Winchester for long. After a quiet first few minutes Winchester broke through repeatedly with shots fired either side of the posts. Goals from Annabelle, Aoife & Eloise put Winchester 3 -0 up, before Sophia made an impressive run around the back, beating the keeper at the near post to make it four.

After a 45-minute rest and fuelled by a combination of Haribo, hot chocolate and home-made chocolate crispies, the girls returned to the pitch to face their season’s main rivals Romsey for the last of their pool matches. A wonder goal from Romsey put them ahead in the first couple of minutes. A close game ensued but Winchester’s persistence in attack meant that Annabelle was able to bring the game level to finish the game in a draw (the third draw against Romsey this season). This left the girls undefeated and full of confidence going through to the knock-outs as runners-up on goal difference.

Haslemere were the opponents for the semi-finals, another team who had not lost in the pools. After 16 minutes of tense play and two saves from Cajsa, the game ended with two short corners after the final whistle. WHC held their nerve and defended both successfully to draw the game and take it to penalty flicks. Unfortunately Haslemere came out on top – a cruel lesson for WHC.

Third and fourth place playoffs were between Trojans and WHC, both teams dealing with the disappointment of being knocked out on penalties. The game was end-to-end and close, but neither team were able to break the deadlock. Again, penalty flicks were required to decide the final positions and again WHC were unlucky, losing 3 – 1 and ultimately placing 4th out of 10.

Despite the disappointment, the end of the day brought smiles - no games lost in open play, good goals and a great introduction to proper competition (and perhaps a hint that penalty flicks should be included in the WHC U10s training program!)

U10 Boys

In2Hockey County Championship - winners!

Winchester Hockey Club’s U10 boys lifted the county iN2 hockey championship title at a tense Haslemere venue this last Sunday. Dominating their pool games with four wins and five clean sheets, Winchester went into the semi-final with their heads up. They faced a strong Haslemere team who tested the defence, but a solo goal made the difference and took them into a final against local rivals Alton.

0-0 at half time, Alton went one up, but with seconds to spare a strong team goal forced the game to penalty flicks. They held their nerve to win on sudden death flicks, delighting the crowd with a stunning victory. The boys entertained during the day with their team ability and possessive play. Coached by the talented Ally Birch the boys worked hard for each other, ensuring both defensively and in attack they worked as one unit. Winchester U10 boys - Hampshire county champions. Next up - regional finals.