 The GU12s put in a great performance today at the South of England Regionals played at Merchant Taylors School.
At this level, most games are a challenge, so we were delighted with a 3-0 win in our opening match against the Oxfordshire champions Oxford HC. It makes a world of difference to start off with a positive result.
Our next match was against London Wayfarers, a very strong side who we know well from Surrey matches. We just managed to sneak past them 1-0, with a stonking reverse stick shot from the top of the D.
Into the final pool game against Marlow, we were pretty much in control and took time to sub off various players, still achieving a 2-0 win, and topping the pool.
So, onto the knockout stages, and we had Berkshire runners up Maidenhead to play. We really hit our stride and put away 7 goals with none conceded. Maidenhead were stunned.
This took us into a semi final against Reading. We struggled to break them down in the first half, coming into the break at 0-0, so reorganised and refocused for the second half and came away 3-0 winners.
Objective achieved, we were into the final, and through to the Nationals! We gave it our best shot in the final against Surbiton but just fell short, losing 2-1, the winning goal going past us in the last minute, just like in the Surreys. This just isn't funny anymore!
Seriously, whilst there was some disappointment initially, we were so close to the gold again, the team soon recognised they'd done incredibly well and should be proud of themselves. Onwards to the Nationals!
Tony Smith
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