U11A Hockey Tournament at Stowe
The U11A team travelled to Stowe School for their first hockey tournament of the season, filled with excitement and eager to showcase their progress. Training had been going well in recent weeks, with significant improvements in ball speed, passing accuracy, and striking power. The boys had started to click as a team, and their development was evident throughout the tournament.
From the first whistle, it was clear that the U11A side had arrived with confidence and determination. Their passing was crisp, their movement sharp, and their hunger for success unmatched. The opening game saw them dominate possession, moving the ball with purpose and testing the opposition goalkeeper early on. Their hard work paid off with a well-taken goal, setting the tone for the rest of the day.
If football legend Steven Gerrard had played hockey, he would have been named Oliver K. Just as Gerrard could drag Liverpool through tough encounters, Oliver K was the driving force behind the team’s performance. His leadership, skill, and relentless energy ensured that everyone played at their best. To say he was brilliant for the whole day is a massive understatement—he was immense, hence the comparison to Stevie Gerrard. Every boy played a vital role in the team’s success, but those present would understand why Oliver’s effort was particularly remarkable. The next day, his legs were so sore from the sheer number of sprints and the volume of distance he covered throughout the tournament.
Henry S in goal produced some outstanding saves and was fearless when advancing off his line, putting fear into attackers who dared to take him on. Daniel K and Maxwell S continue to improve each week, their ability to read the game and support the attack proving invaluable. Hanish P was brilliant in the tackle and played a crucial role in ensuring that the team only conceded two goals all day.
In midfield, Henry L popped up with a well-taken goal in the group stage. James M and Xander K-G worked tirelessly throughout the day, whether up front or in midfield, and chipped in with crucial goals. Alexander L and Zaid M were fantastic on the flanks, contributing with quick interlinking passes and intelligent dribbles that helped propel the team to the final. Zaid M’s standout moment came when he struck a goal like a missile, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance.
Playing against schools that specialise in hockey rather than football was always going to be a tough challenge. In the final, the boys faced Winchester House, managed by an old Beacon teacher. They worked their socks off, showing resilience and determination and secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory to claim a well-deserved tournament win.
Overall, it was a fantastic day of hockey, with every player contributing to an excellent team performance. With the foundations now firmly in place, the U11A side can look forward to the rest of the season with confidence and ambition. This was a tournament to remember, and the boys should be immensely proud of their achievements.
Reported by Mr D.Robinson
U11A IAPS Hockey Tournament
After their heroic efforts at Stowe, the boys returned to the pitch the next day for the IAPS competition, but fatigue had well and truly set in, not helped by the 6.50am meet and a 3 hour drive in the minibus . Stiff legs and sore bodies meant they were unable to reach the same heights as the day before. Despite their best efforts, the energy and intensity that had propelled them to victory at Stowe were difficult to replicate.
The boys still fought hard, showing resilience and determination despite their physical exhaustion. They battled through the group stages, putting in strong performances and refusing to give up. Although they couldn’t quite summon the same dominance, they remained competitive throughout, securing key victories that ensured they progressed to the latter stages of the tournament.
In the end, the team managed to secure a well-earned bronze medal in the IAPS Plate competition—a commendable achievement given their physical state. Their ability to dig deep and still finish on the podium is a testament to their character, teamwork, and commitment. While they may not have replicated their previous day’s triumph, they can be incredibly proud of their efforts over an exhausting couple of days.
Reported by Mr D.Robinson
U10A Hockey - St Edward's Tournament
On Wednesday afternoon the U10 Hockey squad went to St. Edward’s School for their first taste of some hockey fixtures. It was run as a 7-a-side, round robin tournament and we played 6 matches – each one lasting 10 minutes. The boys played really well during the afternoon and have hopefully taken some valuable lessons from the experience. Our results are summarised below:
Match 1 -v- Beachborough 0-1
Match 2 -v- MCS 0-0
Match 3 -v- New College 0-0
Match 4 -v- St. Hugh’s 0-6
Match 5 -v- Chandlings 2-0 (T. Smith with both goals)
Match 6 -v- Elstree 0-2
St. Hugh’s finished up winning the tournament with The Beacon finishing in 5th position. MCS finished second and we more than held our own against this opposition, so the final standings were very tight.
Notable performances during the afternoon were Sonny M in goal, Rocky D and Sammy M in defence, Shayan P who played multiple positions and Lucas F in midfield but the effort that all the boys put in was excellent.
Well done, boys.
(Shayan P is absent from the team photo)
Reported by Mr T.Powell