BUCKS BOYS HELP ‘VALKEN’S SQUAD WIN UK FESTIVAL OF HOCKEY, U13 BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIPS.
25th June 2007The listing was posted by ASB - Hockey
Five boys from Bucks were invited to be part of the Valken’s squad in this weekend's Under 13 boy’s championships, as part of the UK Festival of Hockey. Andy Blood, Jamie Bristow and Harry Kilbourn from Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Liam Ansell from John Hampden Grammar School and Lewis Child from Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School all travelled to Nottingham on Friday for the 3-day event.
Playing against Banbridge (Ireland), Tensworth (North West), North Scotland and Northern Eagles (North East) the team went from strength to strength, winning all four games in the group and notching up an impressive 31 goals for and only 2 against result. Andy Blood, Jamie Bristow and Liam Ansell all scored some cracking goals for the team, with Lewis Child showing flair in mid-field and Harry Kilbourn playing superbly in defence.
The final against last year’s winners, Outlaws (Midlands), did not disappoint the spectators, with end to end action. Both Andy and Liam continued to show the skill, determination and passion that they had displayed throughout the 3 days and inspired the team to play their best. Valken’s took the lead in the first half, but the Outlaw’s came out strong in the second half and soon equalised. A hard fought game saw opportunities on both sides, but it was Liam who found the net once again to score the final goal to win the game 2-1 and bring the trophy to the South of England for the first time since the tournament began.
Liam Ansell was awarded the Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament and received a T-shirt and a new hockey stick and both Liam and Andy Blood received invitation letters to the UK Lions squad which will tour this summer.