First Win for Boys Development XI!

The Boys Development Team has now been running for 18 months.  The matches are always very competitive and we have had a number of near misses but usually field a side which is younger in age than the opposition.  Keen to try and record our first win against our local rivals we were able to draft in 4 of the Men’s 2’s including Tim Martin and Nathan Chapman.  The team is always popular and the squad comprised a total of 14 juniors from the u12’s and u14’s squad and 8 adults.  The rules are that only 4 adults are allowed on the pitch at any time and aren’t allowed to take part in set play or score goals.

Hawks played some great hockey in the first half with driving runs down the right wing from Matthew Rogers and two near misses from Harry Venables on the far post.  Jake Taylor opened up the midfield with several ‘maisey’ runs showing great stick skills.  The whole squad played some intelligent passing hockey with the adults  taking a back seat in defense.

Half time team talk from Tim Martin was inspirational.  ‘Boys, lets just get the ball in the back of the onion bag!’.  The message clearly understood and energize by a bag of Haribos the team took to the pitch full of desire. 

The second half started with a goal from open play with a well struck shot to the keepers right by Harry Venables following a surging run from Ethan Chapman.  Later in the game Hawks won a short corner.  John Black jnr delivered a slick push from the back line to Matthew Rogers at the edge of the D.  Matthew drew the ball to his right and executed a clean strike to the goal.

The game finished 2-0 which was a well deserved win.  The team is developing really well, I guess that is the point of a Development side.....but there were some great interchanges between the boys and fast attacking hockey.  Thanks to all the parents for their continued side line support.

The squad comprised.....

Under 12s

Jake Taylor, John Black, Harry Venables, Tommy Dawes, Alex Rayne, Ed Wilkinson, Thomas Edmiston, Kiran Patel, Charlie Colebrook, Charlie Stoker

Under 14s

Jamie Wells, Matthew Rogers, James Blenkinsop, Callum Chapman (GK)

Under 16s

Ethan Chapman

Oldies (and slightly less old)

John Black, Nick Rogers, Mark Stoker, Richard Venables, Tim Martin, Steve Kelly, Rich Craig

Squad

John Black, John (Jr) Black, James Blenkinsop, Callum Chapman, Ethan Chapman, Charlie Colebrooke, Rich Craig, Thomas Edmiston, Steve Kelly, Tim Martin, Kiran Patel, Matthew Rogers, Nick Rogers, Charlie Stoker, Mark Stoker, Jake Taylor, Harry Venables, Richard Venables, James Wells, Edward Wilkinson

Scorers