On Tuesday, 25th February, our U11A boys took on the annual IAPS Hockey Tournament at Ashford Prep School. Always a challenging event, the team had minimal practice leading up to the competition. However, a focused lunchtime session before the matches hinted that something special was brewing within this squad.

Stepping into goalkeeping pads for the first time this year, Louis JT felt the pre-match nerves, but you wouldn’t have guessed it from his performance—he was a natural between the posts! Spirits were high as the boys prepared for an exciting day of hockey.

The tournament began with a bang as the team secured a victory in their first match, igniting a fire within them. This newfound confidence propelled them into their next match against local rivals Ashford. It was a fiercely contested game that could have gone either way, but this time, Ashford edged it with a narrow 1-0 win.

Refusing to dwell on the loss, the boys bounced back with a commanding 3-0 win against Cottesmore School, including a perfectly executed penalty stroke from Theo that had the whole team beaming. The final pool-stage game against Brambletye was a nail-biter. Despite their relentless efforts, the boys couldn’t quite find the back of the net, ending in a goalless draw. Nevertheless, their strong performances meant they finished second in their pool on goal difference.

Next up: the Cup Semi-Final against Cranleigh Prep, winners of the opposing pool. Cranleigh came out strong, netting two quick goals. Lesser teams might have let their heads drop, but not our boys. They fought back, pulling a goal back towards the end, but despite their valiant efforts, they fell just short with a 2-1 loss against a top-class side.

With a medal still within reach, the team refocused for the third-place playoff—a rematch against Brambletye. After five intense games, they had just one more push left in them. Determined to claim a place on the podium, they battled tirelessly and struck the crucial goal that made any coach proud. As the final whistle blew, the U11A boys had secured the bronze medal!

A superb performance throughout the day—six games played, six goals scored, and only three conceded. The boys displayed skill, determination, and unwavering team spirit, making this a tournament to remember. Well done, U11A—you are awesome!

A heartfelt thank you to all the parents for their fantastic support throughout the day!

Mrs A Jacobs