Primary school tournament ‘amazes’ England Hockey rep

Schools in Spalding and Pinchbeck were among the winners at the finals of the Spalding Primary Schools Hockey Tournaments.

Around 170 children from 13 local primary schools were at were at Glen Park in Surfleet on May 27.
Teams were split into four leagues of five based on experience with advanced, intermediate and two beginner leagues.

The whole tournament was a huge success and England Hockey’s regional manager, Andy Dale, who attended for the first time, was impressed not only by the number of children taking part but also admitted to being amazed at the overall standard of the hockey being played throughout the leagues.

Holders of the advanced league trophy, St Norbert’s A, had a setback to their plans when held to a 1-1 draw in the opening game by a strong St John’s team. St John’s took an early lead but a late equaliser earned St Norbert’s a valuable point.
Main rivals John Harrox A looked impressive in their wins over Boston based Tower Road and St Mary’s (both 2-0) and just pipped St John’s 2-1 in an exciting third game.
An injury during St Norbert’s 6-1 win over Tower Road halted proceedings for a while but the holders marched on with a 4-1 win over Boston St Mary’s.

This set up a final clash between St Norbert’s and John Harrox with the title at stake. It was a contest of the highest quality with both teams giving their all. St Norbert’s took an early lead but were aware that a draw was not enough. As hard as they tried, John Harrox were unable to score and a late St Norbert’s goal sealed the win and the league title for the second year.

Wyberton A ruled supreme in the Intermediate league, wining all four of their games.
The team of mainly year 5 pupils have threatened all season to make their mark and chose the finals to confirm their status. Their wins were at the expense of Ayscoughfee A (3-0), John Harrox B (3-1), Surfleet primary (2-1) and Weston Hills (4-1) and this will earn them a place in the advanced league next season.

Ayscoughfee A recorded three 2-0 wins over Surfleet Primary, Weston Hills and John Harrox B to finish in second place with those three teams finishing in joint third place with a win apiece.

In the Beginner A league, it was all to play for between Pinchbeck East and St Norbert’s B in the final game as both sides had won their three previous games.
Pinchbeck East had the edge with emphatic wins over Ayscoughfee B (4-0), Monkshouse (4-1) and Gosberton Academy (4-0) whilst St Norbert’s B had beaten Gosberton Academy (3-1), Ayscoughfee B (3-1) and Monkshouse (3-0).
It was a hard fought battle with neither side being able to find the net and so Pinchbeck East claimed the title on equal points but with a marginally better goal difference.

Goals were hard to come by in the Beginner league B but Boston St Mary’s B team won their first three games over John Harrox C (1-0), Tower Road B (1-0) and Wyberton B (2-0) before being held to a scoreless draw in the deciding game by a very young but impressive St Norbert’s C team making their debut in the tournament.
With three wins over St Norbert’s C (2-0), John Harrox C(1-0) and Wyberton B (2-0) Boston’s Tower Road B finished in second place.

Trophies were presented to the four league winners by Anna, of Doodles Pottery Painting.

Dates for the 2016/17 tournament: (all Fridays, 3.45pm-6pm): October 7, and November 25, 2016, and February 3, March 17, 2017 with the finals on May 19.
To be included contact Fred Morris email fredricmorris@yahoo.co.uk.