The Zebra A team played some commendable hockey in the South Regional Hockey Finals, held at Woking Hockey Club last Thursday.
The Zebra A team travelled to Woking Hockey Club last Thursday for the South Regional Finals. The team performed admirably and captain Ralph R paid compliments to his team, saying “I am proud of the efforts of the team against some tough competition, it was great fun and there was plenty of quality hockey on display throughout the day”.
The team started by playing four games against Whitgift, Lambrook, Fortismere and Simon Langton.
The first game was against Fortismere, and some quick interplay between Will L-J, Sam K-F and Seb H in the forward line led to two early goals from Will and Sam. Bloxham continued to dominate the game and further goals came from Sam and Seb. Bloxham finished 5-0 winners.
The second game, played against Whitgift brought tougher opposition. Bloxham were on the back foot throughout this game but valiant defending from Ralph and some excellent saves from Will H in goal kept the score down to 4-1. Will L-J scored Bloxham’s only goal; making his way through a 1 vs 1, he chipped the ball over the goalkeeper.
The third game against Lambrook was an end to end affair. Chances fell to Sam, who was unfortunate not to finish an attempt at a goal, from a long distance, whilst the back five of Ralph R, Cameron S, Sam B, Hamish R and William Howells kept the opposition’s attackers at bay. The game ended in exciting fashion to the benefit of the Bloxham team. Ralph intercepted a pass from the opposition, burnt around the outside of their defence and executed a timely, 90 degree pass to Will Lewis Jones, who coolly slotted the ball into the far corner. After the goal, the final whistle went and Bloxham celebrated their 1-0 win.
The fourth game against Simon Langton was once again played with determination from start to finish. Chances fell to both sides but Simon Langton who used the width of the pitch better than Bloxham won the game 2-0, scoring in the final play of the game.
With all the results accounted for, Bloxham finished a credible third in the group and progressed to the plate Quarter Final where they met St Andrews Prep School. Bloxham pulled ahead in this game through Hamish R’s strike off a penalty corner and were controlling the game until five minutes to go. An over excited attack and midfield, left the defence and GK exposed, St Andrews scored on the counter and then went on to score two more in quick succession. Bloxham lost 3-1.
Despite this loss the Bloxham School team of nine finished in the top twelve schools in the South of England. This is a marvellous achievement for Kieran Symons and the nine young players who played in the tournament.
The team consisted of the following:
Ralph R (C) , Will L-J (VC), Will H (GK) , Hamish R, Cameron S, Sam B, Seb H, Sam K-F.