Hockey Team Crowned County Champions

On Thursday, the U14A boys’ hockey team made the short journey to Oxford Hawks HC to participate in the U14 County Tournament – a round robin event involving MCS, Radley, Bloxham and Abingdon. After a slow start against a physical Radley side, the boys turned it on in the second half, a flowing passing move between 8 players, neatly finished by Ed Adnitt. The boys sensed an opportunity to get one over the cross keys, and Johnny Spencer duly obliged weaving past 3 players before slotting the ball under the keeper. Teddies win 2-0.

The second match against Bloxham brought some nervy moments as an eagerness to attack left us slightly exposed at the back, but try as they might, the boys could not break the black and white hooped wall in front of them, 0-0 draw.

After a game off, the match against MCS was a must win given the way other results had gone and it took 2 wonderful full length saves by GK Ned Welstead to keep the score at 0-0. With the seconds running out in the first half some positive play found Ben Ferrett, who had been ubiquitous throughout, at the back post and his little flick crossed the line after what seemed like an eternity. With a lead to defend, the boys played with great intelligence and grit, greeting the final whistle with euphoric fist punches. Teddies win 1-0.

Riding the crest of that epic win, the boys knew that a win against Abingdon would see them crowned county champions and put any nerves to bed by scoring 4 goals in 10 minutes. Any hope of a cerise and white recovery was drawn by some great passing and the final whistle blew with no alarms. Teddies 4-0.
 
St Edward’s were crowned U14 County Champions for the first time in a long time and now proceed to the Tier 1 Tournament.

Jamie Davies, Head of Hockey