In a busy time for MGJ’s hockey teams, they competed in 3 separate Surrey tournaments all held during the past week.

Following on from the Girls’ fantastic Silver Medal in the U11 In2hockey competition held earlier in the year, the equivalent Boy’s U11 competition was held on Monday again at Cranleigh School. The team started well, winning their first 3 matches without conceding a goal whilst scoring 8 of their own.  They found their 4thmatch a more difficult proposition however and an exciting end to end contest finished in a narrow 1-0 loss.

This brought up their final match against St Georges College which earlier had been billed as the decider for the whole competition.  Against opponents who have hockey as their primary winter sport, MGJ put up a spirited defence but despite their best efforts went down to a heavy defeat.  This meant that Raleigh School the only other school to defeat them, slipped into 2nd place on goal difference, leaving MGJ to pick up the bronze medal.  This was still a fine result given the quality of the opposition.

On Thursday it was the turn of the U10 Boys (Year 5) this time at Woking Hockey Club.  Because of last minute withdrawals, their section was reduced to only 3 teams but this didn’t detract from their enthusiasm or as it transpired their hockey skills as they proceeded to demolish both opposing teams without conceding a single goal.  Showing excellent stick handling and teamwork they were worthy winners of the Gold medal and thus completed “the full set” of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
Sandwiched between these 2 tournaments Tuesday evening saw 2 MGJ teams take part in the Active Surrey, SE area Level 2 Quicksticks final at Oxted School.  In the initial stages both teams topped their respective pools to reach the semi-finals where in both cases their opponents turned out to be Salfords Primary.

The MGJ A Team won their semi against Salfords B handily whilst the B Team had a much more difficult task against a motivated Salfords A team; but by dint of some excellent teamwork at full-time the score was 2-2.  With time running out on the booking of the pitch the organisers eventually decided to follow England Hockey guidelines and decide the issue by Penalty Runs (where one attacker tries to score against one defender in a limited time).  After the mandatory 3 runs each however scores were still tied.  With the time booked having definitely run out, MGJ A Team and Salfords A team were declared joint winners and both will now progress to the All-Surrey Level 3 Final to be held in July.

Though the ending was somewhat unsatisfactory both teams cannot be praised highly enough for playing some excellent hockey and we look forward to the July Final with quiet confidence
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As always a big thank you to relatives and friends whose help in transporting the children to Oxted was invaluable and to Mrs Ledwich and Miss Ledwich who not only organised the MGJ teams but also managed them on each occasion (with not a red card to either manager!!).