Another unbeaten tournament and three more clean sheets for the Slazenger U16 boys.

The day started late due to a frozen pitch with games reduced to 20 minutes instead of the scheduled 25 minutes.

Slazenger 1 – 0 Sheffield
Slazenger dominated the newly promoted Sheffield team, creating several goal scoring opportunities but it was not until the 15th minute that Luke Gueli found a way through the Sheffield defence, keeping the ball alive from a penalty corner. Despite defending for most of the game, the Sheffield boys still posed a threat on counter attacks, winning a last minute penalty corner to ensure a very tense finish. Slazenger were deserved winners.

Slazenger 0 – 0 City of York
With both Slazenger and York boasting several JRPC and Futures Cup players, this was always going to be a difficult game. Both teams demonstrated some excellent passing hockey, making goal scoring opportunities at both ends of the field. The Slazenger defence had to be at it’s best to deny a strong York attack. In the end, a goalless draw was a fair reflection of the game.

Slazenger 2 – 0 Ben Rhydding
Having played out a frustrating goalless draw against Ben Rhydding on their last meeting, Slazenger wasted no time in opening the scoring with Matthew Stacey finding the net in under a minute following a positive passing move involving several Slazenger players. Ben Rhydding were unable to offer any real answer to the Slazenger attack, so it was no surprise when Isaac Fisher connected with a pass from Will Copley to score the second goal after just 6 minutes play. The next 10 minutes of play were largely dominated by Slazenger who were unable to capitalise on their possession to increase the margin. Towards the end of the game, Ben Rhydding began to mount some attacks of their own, resulting in a couple of penalty corners, one of which brought the save of the day from keeper Ralph Toon, diving low to his right to tip a fierce shot around the post with his outstretched stick.

Slazenger will remain in Division 1 along with City of York who also scored 7 points. Sheffield (3 points) and Ben Rhydding (0 points) are relegated to Division 2.

The boys earned their continued success by a combination of skill, teamwork and hard work. Every attack by our opposition was met with solid defense with the whole team working hard to regain possession, none more so than player of the tournament, Dan Levitt. Most improved player goes to Dan Atkinson, playing in unfamiliar wing and inside forward positions.

Area for improvement:
Running into contact
Dwelling on the ball, allowing the opposition to read & intercept passes
Not clearing the ball from defense
For the next YYHL tournament on 1st December, Bradford & Doncaster will be promoted to Divisions 1.

Thanks to John Toon for umpiring, Ian Levitt for collecting subs, Philip Higgins for the supply of very welcome fleeces for the boys and to our loyal band of parents who turned out in force again to support the boys.

The next tournament for the U16 boys is the EHB Cup Round at Pocklington on Sunday 24th November. This is a longer event from 10am to 4pm and consisting of three games, each of 2 x 25 minute halves. Our opposition will be Doncaster, Ben Rhydding & Bradford.