Petersfield U8’s Triumph at the Haslemere Tournament

Petersfield Mini’s took 2 mixed ability teams to Haslemere for the first tournament of the season. Both match reports are written below:-

Tournament Report - U8 B Team by Steve Liddle
Squad
Bhattacharjee, Hegan, Liddle, Rushin, A Stratton-Brown, G Stratton-Brown, E Young, T Young

Petersfield 'Bees' got off to a great start against Haslemere's B team. Rushin demanded that he played 'centre-mid' and lived up to the brief, calmly slotting three goals without a response from the stunned hosts. It was not so easy against a well-drilled City of Portsmouth squad and while Hegan and Rushin attempted to stem the pink tide, CoP were just too strong up front for our relatively inexperienced defence. Stout tackling from G and A Stratton-Brown allowed the Bees to hold their heads high and the team moved on to crush Havant 6-0, with Bhattacharjee adding two well taken goals to a further 4 from Rushin.

Liddle took a knock against Chichester, but even without a substitute available the Bees won 3-0, this time Hegan scoring a well taken goal and Bhattacharjee another 2. However, when the team met our own A team the pressure of a derby got to them (or perhaps it was just the enthusiastic coaching of Sheena 'take no prisoners' Hulme) and the Bees succumbed 0-2 against our own. It was great to see the strength in depth we have managed to bring on at U8 level and this bodes well for the future of the junior section.....keep 'em coming parents!

Finishing on a high, the Bees won 5-1 against the Haslemere A team, Hegan taking the honours with 3 goals to Rushin's 2. Twins E and T Young provided some midfield muscle to stall the opposition throughout - good effort for a first tournament - and Liddle 'got back on the horse' to finish strongly against Haslemere. Well done all and thanks to the parents for supporting and to Catrin for managing the teams.

Petersfield Adventurers by Sheena Hulme
Barnes, Hill, Hulme, A Mckenzie, T Mckenzie, Morris, Stanbridge, Troth

With a local reputation for fielding strong U8’s teams at these local tournaments, Petersfield Hockey Club have become the team to beat. Awaiting their first game one of the Haslemere organisers commented how professional the squad looked as they took their positions and awaited the arrival of their opponents.

The Petersfield A’s squad dominated the field of play from the outset, they gelled as a team and won their games against Havant, Haslemere A, Chichester and Petersfield B without conceding a goal. A strong City of Portsmouth team provided Petersfield with their toughest match which ended in a 2-2 draw. The final match against Haslemere B was won by Petersfield 5-2.

The Phenomenal skills of T Mckenzie and Stanbridge wowed the spectators and they worked well together and provided 16 goals of the 21 goals scored, other goals came from Barnes 2, Hulme, Morris and Hill. Morris shone through as a fine attacking midfielder and was well supported by Hill and Barnes. Precision passing by Hulme and Troth ensured that the ball stayed in the oppositions half for most of the tournament. All the team took a turn in defence but the most solid performance came from A Mckenzie.

Exceptional teamwork, solid defending, accurate passing and sensational attacking play proved too much for their opponents and this team of Petersfield Mini’s were rewarded with winning the Haslemere tournament.

Big thank you to the volunteer coaches, Catrin for managing the U8’s and the parents for supporting the squad on the day.