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Guernsey's under 16 girls and boys hockey teams have kept a clean sheet on their first trip to the UK.
Both teams along with the under 14 girls and boys all have fixtures in the UK this season and have once again be sponsored by Ravenscroft.
‘Having the opportunity to play against UK sides is invaluable to our younger players. The camaraderie between the players is much stronger after an away trip and they have the opportunity to test out the plays they have practised in training. It wouldn’t be possible without the financial support from Ravenscroft and so we are grateful to them for continuing to recognise the value of sport at a grass roots level,’ said Nigel Cashin from Guernsey Hockey.
The under 16 girls team, which was depleted through injury and illness, started their weekend away to Ardingly with an unexpected coach trip after being diverted to Southampton due to fog in Gatwick. Ardingly’s under 14 team had finished third in the county finals and proved to be a good test for the Guernsey girls.
Pictured: The Ravencroft Girls under 16 hockey team.
Despite the awful weather, Guernsey started strongly with a hat trick of goals in the first half from Mia Lloyd Jones, Hattie Clayton and Emily Griggs. The second half saw Guernsey’s defence, led by Harriet Savident, put under pressure as Ardingly found the back of the net four times in quick succession to take an early lead.
Hattie Whitman, who did not stop running all game, scored from close range to even the score line. Ardingly grabbed a fifth late in the game but the green’s captain for the day, Emily Griggs, scored an equalizer in the last minute for a well-deserved draw. Griggs’ all round performance ensured she was voted player of the match.
The girls second game was against the older Ardingly Borders team but led by Mia Lloyd Jones, Guernsey raced into an early lead. Ardingly responded and despite excellent performances by Catherine Hill and goalkeeper Helena Duguid, took a 3 – 1 lead. The Guernsey girls dug deep and a Griggs goal following good build up play by Emily Walker and Lizzy Gardiner got them back in the game.
A penalty stroke taken by Lloyd Jones evened the scoreline and the girls then pressed for a winner with Phoebe Page and Rosalie Van Zutphen driving the midfield and created a final opportunity for Lloyd Jones to get her third and Guernsey’s fourth.
Unfortunately, but arguably on balance, Ardingly grabbed a draw through a very good goal from their strong county u18 player. Savident was named Guernsey player of the match for her fine defensive performance.
While the girls were in the UK, they also took part in a coaching session led by an experienced UK coach.
The boys went one better on their UK visit with a win and a draw. Their first game against Horsham started slowly but the greens scored the only goal of the first half through Peter Birch getting a rebound from the keeper on short corner taken by Zac Taylor with good work by Charlie Clapham and Josh Saunders at the top of the D.
Horsham upped the ante in the second half but Guernsey increased their lead after Zac Taylor who made a quick run down the right and made a firm pass to Charlie Clapham who had a deflected shot on goal, before Josh Saunders went for the rebound and scored.
With 10 minutes to go, Horsham had a rare break into the Guernsey D and slotted the ball past Jack Webber, who had made some fine saves during the game, with the game ending 2 – 1.
Guernsey’s second match was against Brighton Hockey Club and again the greens took an early lead thanks to Clapham. After a lot of defence work from the Guernsey side in the first half and the beginning of the second half, Brighton managed to weave through the defenders and draw the match with little time to go.
Both games saw great performances from Theo Swainston, Joseph Cashin Adam De La Mere, Louis Steyn and Will Rouget.
Brighton and Horsham then went head to head but the game ended in a draw which meant Guernsey topped the group. The next round is in February 2020.
Pictured top: The Ravencroft Boys under 16 hockey team.
