HERTFORD hockey team’s talented Under 12s boys side have become national club champions following a series of outstanding performances in the England finals at the weekend.

It is the first time in the club’s 39 year history that they have won a national title in any age group.

The youngsters coasted through the county qualifiers in March, before facing a big test in the East Region play-offs, finally clinching victory in a sudden death shootout against chief rivals Cambridge City in April.

It put them through to the national club finals at the home of the historic Old Loughtonians club in Chigwell where they faced the seven other regional qualifiers containing some of the best boys in the age group in the country.

Teams were split into two groups of four with the top club in each section facing off in the final.

Hertford were given a tough test in their first group match where they faced South Central qualifiers Haslemere who had a reputation of being a difficult team to beat after keeping clean sheets in all but one of their qualifying matches.

But the Hertford boys rocked them in a blistering start when they snatched a 2-0 lead with goals from Will Short and Alex Armstrong inside the first two minutes. Armstrong scored again before Haslemere pulled one back to make it 3-1 at the interval.

Second half goals from Tom Rippon and Cam McMillan wrapped up a convincing 5-2 victory before Hertford faced City of York who had also won their opening match.

Another commanding display swept York aside with Armstrong grabbing a hat trick, and Short (2) and Rippon were also on target in a crushing 6-0 victory.

Hertford refused to ease up in their final group match beating West champions Clifton Robinsons 5-1 win with a hat trick from Rippon and a goal apiece from Armstrong and Short.

It meant a final showdown against the favourites from the famous century-old Spencer club whose senior side are former European title holders.

The London champions had also won all their group matches but the Hertford boys remained undaunted displaying the devastating finishing and resolute defending that had been their hallmark throughout the tournament as they clinched a remarkable 3-0 win.

Hertford cleverly used their substitutes throughout the competition and ensured that all ten members of the squad played in the final.

Armstrong (2) and Marsden were the goalscoring heroes in the final but Hertford’s overall success was a triumph of teamwork with every player distinguishing themselves as they battled hard for each other throughout.

After receiving their medals and trophy the boys paid tribute to the coaches at the club who are now keen to attract more juniors to bolster their ranks.