U16
England Hockey Plate competition
Team Bath Buccaneers U16 boys faced Surbiton’s U16 team in the quarter finals of the England Hockey Plate competition on Sunday
7 March 2010.
TB Buccs travelled to Surbiton to face their opposition and took a while to settle into the game. However the maturity of their skills as a team pulled them through and with great defensive transfers initiated by Captain Freddie Knowlton, TB Buccs were soon pressing their advantage.
TB Buccs inevitably opened the scoring after several attacking moves on the Surbiton goal when an aerial ball took Surbiton defence by surprise leaving Rob Patterson with only the keeper to beat with just two minutes remaining in the second half.
Surbiton came back strongly at the start of the second half and mounted attack after attack on the TB Buccs defence.
Ieuan Tranter was, however, formidable in goal and not one of Surbiton’s attacks resulted in a goal. TB Buccs kept their composure and having absorbed Surbiton’s pressure mounted their own counter attack moves. Mike Salmon’s top left hand shot at goal produced an amazingly agile save by the Surbiton’s keeper and left Buccs wondering how they could increase their lead.
However, consistent pressure from the Buccs team finally enabled Rob Patterson to net his second goal of the match and put the scoreline out of Surbiton’s reach with only 5 minutes left to the final whistle.
The U16 Team Bath Buccaneer’s U16 Boys now face Rutland in the semi finals in Nottingham on 11 April.
U16 Boys win the Regional Indoor Hockey tournament
Team Bath Buccaneers under 16 Boys became West champions on Sunday 20 December 2009 at UWE, Bristol against tough competition at their first attempt.
Team > Tranter, Garner, Knowlton, Gooden, Alsop, Potter, Horler and Brothers.
Their first match against a very strong Taunton side ended 2-2 and this score flattered the Taunton side with two of the players sent off.
Gooden back from Under 18 duties was in fine form and linked well with Potter in midfield and forwards Alsop Horler and Brothers.
Knowlton and Garner playing indoor for the first time were rocks in defence and Tranter looked the pick of the goalies on show saving several fine penalty corner saves.
Their next match against Ashmoor was another close contest and Team Bath Buccs came away 3-2 winners with a late penalty corner.
A penalty shoot out to decide top spot was won by the Buccs boys due largely to their goalie Tranter who made three stunning saves.
The reward for the efforts is a place at National Indoor Championships at Eastleigh on 23/24 January where they will play the other regions over two days.
Thanks to Phil Ball the coach who created a very organised and gritty team after only two sessions of practice!