U13 Boys Hockey Reach National Finals
The U13 boys hockey team represented the East region at the National In2 Hockey National Finals at Beeston hockey club last Friday, marking it the first time, that The Perse have qualified since 2003. The team started extremely brightly against Princethorpe creating numerous chances, unfortunately the opposition equalised after Charlie Underwood’s break through goal. Again, strong attacking play through Porter-Clark, Routledge and Underwood earned penalty corners for the side, but a well executed corner and a second goal from a skilful Dean Close team secured a 2-0 score-line.
To qualify for a place in the final match the team needed to top the group, so the match vs Calday Grange was a “must-win” game. Two outstanding strikes from Underwood and strong defence by Rogers, Abbasi and Albright gave the team a 2-0 lead, however seconds before half time Calday Grange struck back with their first shot of the game. Further chances followed and with the game close to its end, Calday seized on their final chance, leaving the game at 2-2.
The team disappointed by the drawn games, lifted themselves for the final pool match and after a tight opening period with saves from Brierley in goal, the boys began to show their class, with a superb lob of the goalkeeper by Underwood and a well struck penalty corner by Captain Will Routledge. The play-off match was well fought, in torrential rain and unfortunately despite attacking bursts from Traherne and Sirringhaus the team could not find an equaliser.
Overall the team should be delighted with their playing record and level of performance this season. They can all look forward to competing in the 11-a side format next year, starting with their pre-season training camp at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.
Results 1-1 vs Princethorpe, 0-2 Dean Close, 2-2 vs Calday Grange, 2-0 vs Barrow Hills,
Play-off match 0-1 vs Taunton
Finish Position 8th in the Country
Goal Scorers Charlie Underwood 4, Will Routledge 1
U13 East In2 Hockey Champions
Squad: William Routledge (Captain), Freddie Brierley (GK), Corbin Abbasi, Adam Albright, Ollie Rogers, Charlie Underwood, Oliver Traherne, Charlie Clifton, Henry Porter Clark, Moritz Sirringhaus
The Perse U13 Boys Hockey Team represented Cambridgeshire as County Champions at the East Region In2 Hockey Tournament. The squad were well prepared for the high intensity 7-a-side hockey that would need to be played through a total of six pool matches. The team led by Captain William Routledge, dominated each game, scoring a total of 21 goals and conceding none in the group stage. Victories were secured against OBH, Stamford, Hitchin, Town Close, Garrington Academy, and Bancrofts.
The team defeated Gresham’s in the semi-final after a hard fought contest and a convincing display of attacking hockey earned a well deserved 2-0 win in the Final against Ipswich School with goals from Charlie Clifton and Oliver Traherne. A special mention also goes to Charlie Underwood who was the team’s top goal scorer on the day with a total of nine goals.
Results 4-0 vs OBH, 4-0 vs Stamford, 3-0 vs Hitchin, 2-0 vs Town Close, 5-0 vs Garrington Academy, 3-1 vs Bancrofts
Semi-Final 1-0 vs Greshams’ School
Final 2-0 vs Ipswich School
Goal Scorers Charlie Underwood 9, Oliver Traherne 7, Charlie Clifton 5, Will Routledge 2, Henry Porter Clark 1
Cambridgeshire County Champions
Results 1-1 vs St. Faith’s, 4-0 vs SWCHS, 8-0 vs Hinchingbrooke, 4-0 vs Kings Peterborough
Semi-Final 2-0 vs Kings
Final 2-1 vs St Faiths
