Cup

 

Boys U10’s – England Hockey Cup
Slazengers under-tens are through to the North of England Finals of the England Hockey Cup after an impressive performance in the penultimate stage of the competition at Weetwood in Leeds. Ben Rhydding also progressed as one of the top two sides in the tournament and it was they who claimed the honours on the day after winning a tense penalty showdown to decide the top team.

Slazengers won all three of their round-robin matches in Pool A, scoring eight goals while conceding only one. They opened with their best result, a 4-0 win against York courtesy of goals by Tommy Randle (2), Luke Swallow and Will Gascoigne.

Next came a 1-0 victory over Wakefield, who frustrated Slazengers until Frazer Cass turned in a Gascoigne shot at a short corner with what proved to be the last hit of the game. It was much more straightforward in the last pool match as Randle, Alex Stacey and James Sanderson scored before opponents Sheffield claimed a last gasp-consolation.

The semi-final against Pool B runners-up Brigg did not start well for Slazengers as they conceded an early goal and it was not until the closing stages that they turned things around. Gascoigne followed up a block by the Brigg keeper to equalise and then claimed a last-hit winner with a long-range reverse-stick shot.

Ben Rhydding were Slazengers’ opponents in the final – as they have been in the majority of previous competitions this season – and an early short-corner goal left Slaz on the back foot. But they hit back to enjoy the better of the remainder of the match and it finished 1-1 thanks to Stacey as he dummied the Rhydding keeper to equalise.

The outcome was therefore decided on a penalty shot-out and, after Ben Rhydding missed the first of their three, Slazengers had a chance to win but had their final attempt well saved. Sudden death then saw Rhydding score twice more before their keeper saved again to seal the victory which will earn them a better seeding in the finals.

Slazengers under-tens maintained their unbeaten record for the season by winning the West Yorkshire Mini Hockey Championships at Weetwood in Leeds.

The Slazengers youngsters had triumphed in their two previous league competitions this season to be ranked top club side in the county for their age group.

And they followed up by winning two and drawing one of their matches in the Mini Hockey knockout tournament to seal one of the top two positions that earned a place in the Yorkshire finals.

Slazengers laid a firm foundation for that success by winning their opening round-robin game 6-1 against Leeds – despite starting a man short due to congestion in Leeds caused by the Abbey Dash athletics event.

Alex Stacey scored the first two goals before Charlie Bland added the third with his first touch after finally beating the traffic and taking his place on the pitch. Stacey went on to complete his hat-trick and Bland made it a personal double, with Will Gascoigne wrapping up the tally.

Keeper Aidan Coughtrey was unlucky to be beaten by a deflection in that match but was rarely troubled again as he was well protected by his defence of Fraser Cass, James Sanderson, Matthew Royston and Tommy Randle.

Gascoigne and Stacey scored to earn a 2-0 win against Wakefield in the second match and Slazengers’ goal difference was such that they only needed a draw against Ben Rhydding in their last game to finish top of the table.

They duly played out a 0-0 stalemate to achieve that feat, with opponents Ben Rhydding joining them in the Yorkshire finals in March as the second-placed team.

Slazenger Boys U10’s Tournament report
On an auspiciously clear sunday morning, Slazenger boys competed in Leeds at the U10’s Yorkshire round (Round 2) of the England Hockey U10’s competition. They finished 2nd place out of the top 6 teams in Yorkshire, earning them a place in the next round against the best the north of England has to offer. This is how they got on:

Slazenger (0) vs. (5) Harrogate
Slazenger’s first game was against tournament veterans; a well drilled and organised Harrogate team. Fielding a squad of full age players, the odds were stacked against Slaz who had a host of younger players. Harrogate controlled the play well and unfortunately Slaz were caught napping a couple of times. Keeper Niran Tejura pulled off a series of saves, however an impressive finish from the oppositions centre forward edged them ahead, and they didnt look back from then on. Slaz fought on, some impressive defensive work from Josh Green and the team, and hard work from midfield Will Gascoigne showed promise of what was to come. Unfortunately the greater age and experience were enough to show through.

Slazenger (1) vs. (0) Chapeltown
In the second game, slaz began to show what they were capable of. Gascoigne contined to make his presence known in midfield. Lucas Smith and Alex Stacey made some solid attacking effort from their wing positions, and man of the match Charlie Blande continued a strong run of form pressing the oppositions defence, keeping the ball hemmed in. The game was closely run, but an impressive team attack, combined with some flowing, passing hockey delivered the ball into the “D”, where Will Gascoigne thumped it into the net, for a resounding lead. The team held their nerve, defending well and denying Chapeltown the chance to score. As the time ticked out, Slaz put their first win on the board.

Semi final – Slazenger (2) vs. (0) Sheffield
With a win and loss, Slaz went through to the semi-final against Sheffield. With a victory on the board, their moods were lifted and the team continued to get into the swing with their most impressive performance so far. In and end to end game, both teams were looking to grapple control of the game; Slaz attacking and Sheffield trying to find gaps in the defence. Goalkeeper Niran Tejura made some impressive saves early on, steadying the teams nerves. The team pressed on, consolidating and taking control of the game.
Alex Stacey put the side ahead with an impressive solo run, rounding 2 opposition players and blasting the ball into the net. Solid work from Will Gascoigne and Charlie Blande in midfield maintained the pressure, with both players going close in quick succession. It was this pressure which secured the game; a deft interception, delivered the ball through to James Ambler scored the second, slotting the ball away under the keepers pads, giving Slaz the decisive victory.

Final – Slazenger (0) vs. (2) Harrogate
The final saw Slaz take on their first opposition – Harrogate for the second time. The team took to the field knowing they were already through to the next round, but looking for a final victory. Unfortunately the fairytale David vs. Goliath result wasnt to be. However the team aquited themselves admirably.

Slaz started well, fought hard and made some good progress against the oppositon. Impressive defence from Frazer Cass, Callum Carey and Josh Green made hard work for Harrogate, with Niran Tejura wowing the crowd with several great saves (the supporters were equal parts impressed and frustrated). The team continued their defiance, with several breakaway attacks putting the pressure on Harrogate. James Ambler, Lucas Smith and Charlie Bland all going close. However, Harrogate edged ahead in the closing minutes of the game and secured it minutes later.
 
The team did themselves proud, and continued to play on, even with the odds against them.