WELSH SCHOOLBOYS HOCKEY FINALS
U16 & U18, Friday May 2nd at Newtown Leisure Centre
Both finalists in the RAF Careers Under 16 schools competition had really earned their places following highly competitive regional games in north and south Wales. Rhyl High School had overcome strong opposition from Eirias School, Colwyn Bay and Rydal School (last year's finalist) whilst Whitchurch edged ahead of Llanishen High School, Cardiff and Olchfa School, Swansea after two goalless drawn games against their opponents but a better goal difference against other teams in the south Wales finals saw them through.
The Welsh final was an evenly contested affair with both teams creating chances but Rhyl went ahead in the first half with a well-taken breakaway goal and in Mike Pennington, had undoubtedly the best player on the pitch - his unselfish orchestration of attacking moves was a delight to watch. Rhyl added a second from a penalty corner but Whitchurch pressurised the Rhyl goal in the last 10 minutes and were unlucky when a short corner strike was disallowed. Rhyl became only the third north Wales side to lift the Under 16 trophy in the last 22 years.
Whitchurch's disappointment soon faded as they took an early lead in the Under 18 final against Eirias School from Colwyn Bay. Eirias' comparatively young side found it difficult to compete against some good older players, many of whom had played representative hockey for south Wales - Jack Walford, Alex Norman, Josh Innocent, Grant Parker, Alun Welsh and the irrepressible Captain, Chris Fido. By half-time, Fido had scored a hat trick from penalty corner strikes and Whitchurch were leading 5-0 but Eirias came back strongly in the second half and stepped up the pressure on the Whitchurch team. Their reward was two goals and although they lost the game by 7 goals to two, they could at least take pride for their spirited comeback. Whitchurch's success at this level is remarkable, winning their 5th consecutive Under 18 trophy - a record that will stand for some time.
Behind the scenes, much hard work had been done by Wyn Pritchard who had co-ordinated the north Wales part of the competition and his counterpart, Jon Green, who has done so much over the last 4 years in south Wales. To them both, a large debt is owed.
Chris Despres (May 2008)
