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Successful Day for Hertford at County Finals

Successful Day for Hertford at County Finals

Nik Bentley24 Mar 2017 - 10:55
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As 3 out of 4 Age Groups Qualify

Hertford U12 girls A team, Undefeated in 2017 and progress to the regional finals

Starting the day as favourites, Hertford U12s girls progressed with ease through the round robin scoring 26 goals in 5 games, with some penetrating attacking hockey and sharp shooting from Deborah James; Lotty Hobson, Maddie Stewart and Lottie Johns.

Meeting West Herts in the Semi-finals the team started well scoring in the first minute, despite not playing at their best ending the game 3-0.

The final brought out the best in Herford, moving the ball swiftly and accurately around the pitch, St Albans soon found themselves down 1-0. Through further attacking play with clinical short corner moves Hertford moved to a 3-0 lead. Supported by some intensive tacking from Annabel Hellum, Maggie Bristow in mid field keeping a strong St Albans at bay.

By the end of the day Herford totalled up a massive 32 goals, and even more impressive; the stalwart defence of Iona Luke, Lucy Wells and goal keeper Francesco Napolitano conceded no goals.

Hertford U10 girls – County champions 2017

Hertford U10 girls have progressed to the East of England regional finals after a thrilling weekend of hockey at Broxbourne HC in the county finals.

Hertford played hosts Broxbourne in the first match of the day winning comfortably 5-0, 3 goals from captain and centre forward Isabella Earle and some fine defending from Ella Gardener and Elinor Ainsbury.

Next up were Harpenden, a much closer encounter this time, with Hertford running out eventual winners 1-0 with a goal from Sophie Duncan.

The final 2 pool matches were a 7-0 victory over Blueharts B team and 5-0 over St Albans B’s, leaving Hertford top of pool 1 with 18 goals scored and none conceded.
Into the semi-finals and Hertford faced tougher opponents in St Albans A team. Some great goal keeping from Robyn Ewing making sure that Hertford maintained their clean sheet. Izzy Stewart & Tilly Major down the wings providing some great opportunities for the forwards. Hertford winning 3-0 and into the final.

The last match of the day saw Hertford meeting Blueharts A’s in the final. All season both sides sharing victories over each other. It was going to come down to whoever wanted it the most.

Both teams started well with the standard of hockey belying the girls ages. Hertford appeared to have the advantage in the opening half, but Blueharts look dangerous on the break. Lucy Wiggetts and Kiana Hawes in the Hertford defence providing some inspired tackling and welcome relief at times. For the majority of the match the two teams could not be separated, save for the dying moments of the game and a cross from the right hand baseline from, Isabella Earle into the path of Sophie Duncan to sweep home victory for Hertford with 10 seconds left on the clock. A well-deserved victory for the girls and huge congratulations to them all.

U10 Boys Reach Regional Finals

Hertford U10 Boys made the short trip to Broxbourne on Sunday for the U10 Boys to compete in the County Hockey Finals.

The boys starting off with a comfortable victory against St Albans B 4-0, with goals from Chris Boquiren x2, Tom Weller and Zac Henderson-Lea, their second game was against Blueharts B and despite dominating possession, a 2-0 win, the goals from Jasper Skillet and Tom Weller were harder to come by. Third up where hosts Broxbourne, and the toughest game of the group was decided by a Jasper Skillett Goal, with Jack Bentley making some key saves. Last up was Letchworth, who could also still qualify for the final stages, but a couple of early goals, meant that the boys ran out easy winners in the end 7-1, goals from Zak Henderson-Lea x2, Jasper Skillett x2, Peter Sharman, Chris Boquiren and David James

Next they moved on to a semi-final with St Albans A. St Albans took an early lead, but Hertford back to win 2-1 with two goals from Jasper Skillet.

The Final, against Blueharts A, who easily won their semi-final. An excellent game of Hockey, Hertford had an early goal rightly disallowed from a short corner. Blueharts took the lead, but Jasper Skillet capitalised on a dithering Blueharts defence to equalise. The game continued to ebb and flow from end to end, but Blueharts were more clinical in front on goal and eventually won 3-1.

All teams will now represent the County at the Regionals in Norfolk (Harleston) on the weekend of 8th/9th April against clubs from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and Hertfordshire.

Well done everyone and good luck in the Regionals

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