On Thursday the U18 hockey squad travelled to Timperley to take part in the North West hockey finals. The matches were 25 minutes one way and are played at a much higher intensity to normal matches. We played Bolton in our first game and a string of vital saves from stand in keeper Snagg kept the match at 0-0. We then went on to score 3 goals in quick succession to start the tournament off with a win.

In our second match we came up against a very strong Sedbergh team who were well drilled and gave us very little ball to play with. The boys defended tremendously but we ended up losing to the eventual winners by a single goal.

In our next match we came up against one of the tournament favourites in Sandbach and again we had to defend for most of the game but L. Court came on and broke down the left wing and scored a fantastic solo goal. Sandbach then threw everything they had at us including 6 short corners in the final phase of the game but the boys defended for their lives, Dodd especially running out, and we saw the game out to win 1-0.

In our last 2 matches against Kirkby Stephens and Birkenhead we again played some good hockey and competed well but just couldn’t get a winning goal in either game having chances to win both matches. These results meant we have finished either runners up or in 3rd place depending on other results. An outstanding achievement considering the calibre of schools we came up against. Player of the tournament was voted as Smithies by the boys, he led by example and was simply brilliant all day.

Well done to all the lads who played, they all did myself and the College proud!
Mr Edwards