COLTS

England Hockey Club Cup National Finals Saturday/Sunday 29th /30th April
Beeston Boys’ U15 squad made hockey history again last weekend when they became the first club ever to retain a boys’ national title.
This year England Hockey changed the final stages of the junior cups, opting for a round robin tournament for the last 4 teams in the competition rather than semi finals and final. The national finals weekend was held at Canterbury HC and Beeston travelled down to Kent on the Friday to ensure that the boys were fresh and alert for their matches on Saturday. The finals of all 4 junior cups were held at Canterbury so there was a great gathering of the best junior players in the country.
The finalists in the Boys U15 Cup were Beeston, the defending U15 champions; Canterbury, the hosts and losing finalists for the last 3 years; Bowdon, the national U13 mini hockey champions of 2004 when Beeston finished 3rd and Guernsey, the surprise qualifier.
In the first game Canterbury beat Guernsey 4-2 having let a 4goal lead slip in the last 3 minutes! Next up was Beeston v Bowdon, a crucial match for both teams. The Bees were buzzing from the start, Ian Welch scored in the 3rd minute and the team took complete control with further goals from Sam Dixon (2) and Will Collins. Bowdon scored in the second half and for a moment were given hope but captain Sam Ward scored Beeston’s fifth from yet another successful short corner routine. The final score Beeston 5 Bowdon 1 was an indication of the superb display of fast passing hockey that has become Beeston’s trademark throughout the club.
In the second set of matches Beeston took Guernsey apart. Forward Felix Evans who had run tirelessly was rewarded with 2 goals in the first half. Sam Ward was also on the score sheet twice, his second a reverse sweep into the top corner of the net was set up by Chris Powell who shook off his marker and delivered an inch perfect ball to Wardy. Dominic Leckie scored a sensational goal when he dived at full stretch and deflected a cracking ball from Dixie into the roof of the net. The final goal was scored by Jon Gatus who ran into space in the circle before delivering a killer shot past the helpless Guernsey keeper. The final score was Beeston 6 Guernsey 0. The Bees were then able to relax and watch the final match of the day in which, to their delight, Bowdon beat Canterbury 4-2. This result left Canterbury and Bowdon on 3pts with a zero and negative goal difference respectively and Beeston on 6pts an impressive +10 goal difference!
The Bees returned to the ground after a lazy start on Sunday morning in time to see Bowdon beat Guernsey 4-1 before playing their last match against Canterbury. Canterbury were determined to show that they were the superior team and indeed took the lead after 10 minutes. Then Bees keeper Nick Halliwell had to make a superb save before Captain Sam worked his magic from a short corner and the scores were level. Dixie put Beeston ahead shortly after the interval but Canterbury who were by now playing for pride only equalised with 10 minutes left. Beeston knew they were champions but put in one last attack resulting in Charlie Brooke tipping the ball over the line for his first goal of the weekend and the winner!
A truly awesome performance by the Bees whose defence of Ian Welch, Chris Price, Richard Lawrence, Charlie Smith, Ollie Macildowie and keepers James Dexter and Nick Halliwell marshalled by sweeper Rob Trem were impenetrable; midfield of Sam Dixon, Sam Ward, Ed Torr and Will Collins were a creative powerhouse; forwards Charlie Brooke, Felix Evans, Dominic Leckie, Chris Powell and Jon Gatus ran non-stop rotating on and off the pitch but always causing problems for the opposition’s defence.
Squad: Dexter, Halliwell, Trem, Welch, Price, Lawrence, Torr, Ward (Capt), Dixon, Collins, Brooke, Evans, Leckie, Powell, Gatus, Smith and Macildowie.
The team were managed by Martin Keeling and coached by Ian Ward and David Griffiths. David the current Beeston Men’s 1st team vice captain came through the club’s enviable youth system.
The boys were presented with the cup and their medals by Sean Kerly, a member of the GB Gold medal team in 1988.
Beeston are still the only club to have won both the National U18 (2003) and U15 (2005 & 2006) Boys’ Cups and are now the only club to retain a National Boys’ Cup.
(Follow this link to the England Hockey website report.)

England Hockey Club Cup Quarter final: March 19th 2006
The U15 boys were again drawn at home this time against Alderley Edge and Judith and Martin were very grateful that the away tie to Guernsey was landed by Stourport!
Felix marked his return from La Manga with a goal after just 10 minutes and the boys never looked in any danger. Will Collins and Sam Ward added to the score before half-time. In the second half all squad members were given pitch time and several different formations were tested as Beeston were in complete control. Further goals were scored by Sam Dixon, Ed Torr, Charlie Brooke twice and Ian Welch. Alderley Edge scored two consolation goals towards the end of the match which will not please perfectionist Rob Trem! The final score Beeston 8 Alderley Edge 2 with 7 different Beeston players scoring goals. The boys were very pleased to meet the club patron Peter Hannah who had come to watch the match.
The boys now travel to Canterbury on April 28th where they will take part in the new round robin end to the cup. If anyone fancies a weekend break in Canterbury then please come and support us.
Beeston squad: J.Dexter, R.Trem, I.Welch, C.Price, R.Lawrence, E.Torr, S.Ward, S.Dixon, W.Collins, C.Brooke, F.Evans, D.Leckie, N.Halliwell, C.Powell, C.Smith and J.Gatus.
Manager: Martin Keeling, Coaches: Ian Ward and Ryan Dawson.

England Hockey Club Cup 2005/06 Round 4: February 19th
The U15 boys could not believe their luck; they were drawn at home to Doncaster, only the second home tie in two years! The bad news was as usual the date was at the end of half term!! Only two players Felix Evans and Charlie Smith were missing. However we are fortunate to have a plethora of talent in this age group so Tom Hubbard and Harjan Gataora were brought into the squad.
The team got off to a bad start conceding an early penalty corner. A mix up in the defence over who was running one gave Doncaster’s Joe Morrison a free shot on goal which he duly buried into the corner of the net!! One minute gone 1-0 down!  
The team then woke up, took control of the game and Sam Ward scored the equaliser before half time. After the interval there was only one winner with Jonathan Gatus and Sam Ward scoring further goals for Beeston. The score was kept down by a strong performance from Doncaster’s keeper Jonathan Appleby. The whole squad were given pitch time.
Beeston squad: J.Dexter, R.Trem, I.Welch, C.Price, R.Lawrence, E.Torr, S.Ward, S.Dixon, W.Collins, C.Brooke, J.Gatus, D.Leckie, N.Halliwell, C.Powell, H.Gataora and T.Hubbard. Coach/manager: M.Keeling, Umpire: M.Twist.
The boys are now just one game away from the new 4 team round robin end to the National Cup competition at Canterbury in April.

England Hockey Club Cup 2005/06  Round 3: December 11th
Once again the U15 boys were drawn away, this time to Peterborough Town. Our opponents were well known to us having competed in our summer tournaments for many years. We were expecting a hard match particularly after seeing their previous result an 11-1 thrashing of Harleston Magpies.
The teams sounded each other out for the first ten minutes and then Peterborough scored a well constructed goal. Both teams had further chances but it was not until the 23rd minute that Felix Evans equalised for Beeston. There was no more scoring before half time and with Beeston playing below par it was time for a Wolverhampton match  type team talk! Beeston took to the field in the second half with more discipline and resolve. Charlie Brooke put the Bees ahead almost immediately and Felix scored his second a few minutes later as the team started to buzz. Felix completed his hat trick 10 minutes later and Sam Dixon scored a fifth for Beeston with 10 minutes to go. The final score was Peterborough 1 Beeston 5 but Beeston’s short corner routine will have to be improved if they are to reach the latter stages of this season’s cup.
Beeston squad: James Dexter, Rob Trem, Ed Torr, Chris Price, Richard Lawrence, Sam Ward, Sam Dixon, Will Collins, Dominic Leckie, Felix Evans, Charlie Brooke, Jon Gatus, Nick Halliwell, Charlie Smith, Ian Welch and Chris Powell. Coaches= Ian Ward and Martin Keeling, Umpire= Martin Twist.

The U18 Boys were also drawn away, against Sheffield another club that regularly competes in our summer tournaments. Our young team travelled without U18 England International Alex Collins leaving Will Lee and Iain Smallwood as the only true U18s in the squad. Coaches Ryan Dawson and Stephen Wood travelled with the team. Beeston dominated the first half but only managed to score once when John Procter found the back of the net. In the second half Sheffield took command and unfortunately scored twice. The final score was Sheffield 2 Beeston 1. Although a good performance by such a young team the boys will feel this was a match that they could have won.
Beeston Squad: Darren Smith, Sam Cathie, Will Lee, Will Torr, John Barr, Ollie Willars, John Procter, Ashley Harris, Joe Robinson, Caleb Mierkalns, Matt Seal, Charlie Macildowie, Oscar Evans, Iain Smallwood, Robin Cooper and Peter Grice.

England Hockey Club Cup 2005/06  Round 2: November 20th
All 4 teams were in action on a very cold and frosty Sunday. The Beeston water based pitch proved to be impossible to be made playable for either the u15 girls’ game at 11.30am or the u18 boys’ game at 3.30pm. However with a lot of patience shown all round these matches were swapped to the sand based pitch and eventually played. With both away matches also going ahead Beeston were very fortunate not to have any fixtures delayed until the following weekend.

First up were the Girls U18s who were faced with a difficult away match against Belper a club newly promoted to the national league. This task was made more difficult when the Beeston captain and most experienced player Lauren Moors had to withdraw after being concussed playing for her school on Saturday. The girls played with determination, harrying the Belper team which contained several divisional players and an England International. Unfortunately Belper proved too strong and the final score was Belper 4 Beeston 0, with the 1st and 4th goals being scored in the dying seconds of each half the score line was not a true reflection of the play. The young Beeston team now go into the plate competition. Beeston Squad: Rebecca Morley, Anna Dickenson, Emma Keeling, Lucy Howarth, Jo Sztejer, Tori Broughton, Holly Gillott, Claire Meddins, Becky Paffard, Emily Hancock, Jo Taylor, Katy Taylor and Christina Smith. Coach= Martin Keeling, Umpire= Pete Fenton.

Also away from home were the Boys U15s who were drawn against our old friends and rivals Lichfield HC. The boys have a very strong squad as most of the national winning squad from last year are still eligible to play again this season. Beeston went ahead through Will Collins in the 14th minute and further goals were scored by Charlie Brooke, Jon Gatus and Sam Dixon before the interval. Beeston had not played to anything like their full potential and much more was expected of them in the second half. Jon Gatus scored his second after a minute and Beeston were away with further goals scored by Charlie Brooke, Felix Evans, Sam Dixon (2) and a second half hat trick by Sam Ward took the final score to Lichfield 1 Beeston 12. The perfectionists in the defence will be cross at conceding a goal! Beeston took a squad of 15 on the day and everyone got pitch time however there were at least half a dozen players left at home who are capable of playing for this team such is the strength in depth of our club at this age group. So there is no room for complacency! Beeston squad: James Dexter, Rob Trem, Ed Torr, Chris Price, Richard Lawrence, Sam Ward, Sam Dixon, Will Collins, Dominic Leckie, Felix Evans, Charlie Brooke, Jon Gatus, Nick Halliwell, Charlie Smith and Ian Welch. Coaches= Ian Ward and Martin Keeling, Umpire= Chris Orme.

Meanwhile back at Beeston the Girls u15s eventually took to the pitch at 1pm against Leicester HC a top national league club. The girls conceded 2 early goals before Holly Brown scored a superb solo effort for Beeston. Leicester were just too strong however and scored two more goals before the interval and four more in the second half making the final score Beeston 1 Leicester 8. Beeston will now go into the plate competition where hopefully they will find opposition who can give them a close match as their first outing in the Notts league saw them coming away 13-0 winners! Beeston Squad: Rozie Brennan, Bex Brown, Holly Brown, Jennie Burke, Rosie Farish, Charlotte Goodman, Becca Jordan, Sophie Mulligan, Millie Oddie, Hannah Price, Lorna Rowley, Emily Slatcher and Lucy Stephenson. Coach= Mike Price, Umpire= Anne Linsdell.

Last to play were the Boys u18s who took to the pitch at 4-15pm against minnows Derwent HC who had arrived with only 10 players. Derwent were very keen to qualify for the plate and could only do this by first playing and losing in the cup. The Beeston team mindful of the inexperience of the opposition played well within themselves. All the squad were given pitch time and various playing formations were tested. Beeston led 4-0 at half time through John Procter and a hat trick from Ian Smallwood. 5 further goals were added in the second half from Smallwood (2more), Collins, Seal and Harris before a jubilant Derwent scored their only goal of the match! The final score Beeston 9 Derwent 1. Beeston squad: Darren Smith, Sam Cathie, Will Lee, Will Torr, Ollie Willars, John Barr, John Procter, Alex Collins, Ashley Harris, Iain Smallwood, Charlie Macildowie, Joe Robinson, Matt Seal, Peter Grice, Oscar Evans and Caleb Mierkalns. Coach= Ryan Dawson, Umpires Les Morrice and Ian Sutton.

England Hockey Club Cup First Round
Only the Boy’s U18 team were in action in this round as the other 3 teams were lucky enough to be given byes in the draw. The boys travelled to Winterton, near Scunthorpe, on Sunday September 11th to play Brigg HC. The squad was slightly depleted and very young with only 2 genuine U18 players. Nevertheless they played some fast competitive hockey against a strong fit Brigg team. Beeston took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal from Anthony Latham but despite seven penalty corners in the first half Beeston did not increase their lead due to some excellent saves by the Brigg goalkeeper. Indeed Beeston’s goal keeper Darren Smith had to produce a spectacular save in the dying seconds of the half to prevent an equaliser.
In the second half Beeston brought on their new U16 goalkeeper Sam Cathie and he was immediately in action saving twice in close succession from a penalty corner only to be beaten by a 3rd shot when the defence failed to clear. The match went up a gear and a revitalised Brigg became stronger. Brigg took the lead with 20 minutes to go from a well worked corner but Ashley Harris equalised for Beeston almost immediately only for Brigg to take the lead 5 minutes later, again from a short corner. The young Beeston side then dug deep and Captain Will Torr was moved up the field for a last effort to save the game. This bold move was rewarded when Caleb Mierkalns scored the equaliser and Beeston had a succession of penalty corners. The winner came from a sensational drag flick by Ashley Harris with only 2 minutes left on the clock. Brigg were given last chance to equalise when they were awarded 2 quick penalty corners but Sam Cathie and the Beeston defence stood firm and the match was won! Brigg 3 Beeston 4. This was a sterling performance by this squad which played bravely and skilfully against a stronger, older and talented