Following their success at the East Region IAPS competition at Bishop’s Stortford on Monday last week, the U13 boys travelled to Millfield for the National Finals on Thursday 14th March. Having driven down to Somerset the day before and having had a refreshing nights sleep, the boys woke in confident mood. The weather, although cold, was bright and most importantly dry. Upon arrival at Millfield, there was a real buzz in the air as the 20 different teams went through their warm up routines. This was also an opportunity for the boys to get used to the water based astro surfaces on which the competition would be played.
The boys got their tournament underway with an impressive win against Downs 4-0 with a hat trick from Archie Winter. With a good break and a rest, the boys played Beeston for the second time within a week and once again the Brandeston boys prevailed 5-0, with another hat trick from Archie Winter. The next game saw Brandeston take on Lambrook, which was a tighter game but once again the boys came through with a successful 3-0 win. Having made a perfect start to the tournament, the next game against OBH would decide who topped the group and who came runner up. Having played OBH four times already this season the boys knew it was going to be a tough encounter. Following a scrappy game and chances at both ends, the game ended in a 1 all draw, meaning Brandeston went through as group winners. Knowing that any games in the latter stages of any competition would not be easy, Brandeston prepared themselves to play St Andrew’s, Woking in the quarter final. Depiste Brandeston taking a 2 goal lead the game was very open. With the nerves starting to tell as time was running out, both teams scored again, but Brandeston played defiantly leaving the final score 3-2 and with it a place in the semi-final against Chaffyn Grove. With the final just a game away the boys focussed on the game in hand and looked confident as they took to the pitch. The game proved to be end to end, with both teams creating opportunities that neither could finish. Eventually the deadlock was broken by Chaffyn Grove with a very well finished goal. Brandeston steeledthemselves and despite testing the goalkeeper and coming incredibly close on a number of occasions, Brandeston couldn’t level the score line and lost 1-0. The boys were inconsolable, having come so close and giving absolutely everything. However, after reflecting on the tournament they realised finishing third in the competition was a huge accomplishment. There is no doubt the boys will benefit from playing in the finals and now look forward to the National school finals in May.
Mr Tom Gregory, Head of Boys’ Hockey at Brandeston Hall said, “This is another excellent achievement from this group of boys in the space of two weeks. They should be incredibly proud, as they have made all us here at Brandeston Hall incredibly proud.”
