Over 750 children took part in one of the UK's largest junior hockey festivals on 17th/18th April at a scorching Cokethorpe School and Witney...  read more...

Over 750 children took part in one of the UK's largest junior hockey festivals on 17th/18th April at a scorching Cokethorpe School and Witney ATP over the weekend. Unfortunately, regular visitors Banbridge Academy from Northern Ireland missed out as they were unable to fly. 

On the Saturday morning, the Under 8 competition was won by Aylesbury who beat Eastcote 5-1 in the final.  Eastcote went one better in the Under 10's league winning a penalty shoot out 2-0 against City of Oxford after a goal-less final.  City again lost out on penalties 2-1 to Under 12 boys winners Cheltenham after the game finished 1-1 in normal time.

On Sunday, City of Oxford again lost on penalties in the Under 14 boys final to Teddington but their fortunes changed and the club positions reversed with the Under 16 girls winning out against Teddington on penalties 3-2 after a goal-less final.  The final game at Cokethorpe saw Oxford Hawks beat Aylesbury 2-0 in the Under 16 boys final with a fine display of attacking hockey.

The Fair Play trophies were awarded by the Oxon Umpires Association who officiated on the Sunday to City of Oxford (Boys U14), Teddington (Girls U16) and Aylesbury (Boys U16). Over at Witney ATP on Sunday, the girls U12 and U14 competitions took place.  Wycombe overcame Oxford Hawks 3-0 in the U14 final whilst Hawks got their revenge in the U12 girl's with a 4-0 win over Cheltenham.  The Fait Play trophies were awarded to Wycombe (U14) and Aylesbury (U12

Great Britain and England star, Alex Danson was on hand to present the girls trophies and said "I'm amazed that Rover Oxford stage such a fantastic festival of hockey and the opportunity it presents for the children to display their considerable talents"

SUMMARY OF FINALS

Under 8: Aylesbury bt Eastcote 5-1

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Craig Irvine reports...

Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, City of Oxford , Henley, Oxford Hawks, Rover Oxford and Wallingford all battled it out on...  read more...

Craig Irvine reports...

Abingdon, Banbury, Bicester, City of Oxford , Henley, Oxford Hawks, Rover Oxford and Wallingford all battled it out on Saturday 5^th September in the pre-season Men’s Oxon Cup and it was hosts Banbury who regained the Mens’ Oxon Cup after the beat Henley 4-2 in the final played at Bloxham School .

In the group stages of the competition the top three seeds, Banbury, Oxford Hawks and Henley all safely making it through to the semi-finals while Wallingford may have surprised Rover Oxford when they won 2-0 with goal from Grant Barber and James Lanyon. Banbury topped Group A with three win our of three over, Bicester (5-0), Rover Oxford (3-1) and Wallingford (2-1) while Group B, after Henley and Hawks drew 1-1 was decided by goal difference and Henley piped Oxford Hawks by one goal after they best Abingdon 4-0 with Henley’s captain Ed Foster bagging the only hat-trick of the tournament.

In the semi-finals Wallingford took an early lead over local rivals Henley but they could not hold on and late goals from Paul Chedzey and Mark Addleston secured Henley ’s place in the final.

In the second semi-final a tight match in which neither team dominated in was Banbury who took the initiative after Tyson Nunneley was hacked down in the ‘D’ and it was Nunneley himself who found the top right hand corner for the opening goal. With Hawks pushing forward to try and drab an equalizer they were caught on the break and William Kellett coolly rounded the keeper and slammed the ball into the back of the net on the reverse to secure Banbury’s passage to the final.

The final itself was the best game of the day with Banbury eventually running out 4-2 winners, Banbury started quickly and caught Henley napping with an early goal through Adrian Simons and then just before half-time grabbed a second through James Clement.. Early on in the second half Banbury were awarded a penalty flick which Nunneley again put away before Chedzey pulled one back for Henley and then Banbury secured the cup with a goal Nick Best. Henley did not let this phase them and had the final word with a late goal from Ed Foster.

Many congratulations to Banbury who won the cup for the 4^th time in seven years and many thanks to Banbury Hockey Club and Bloxham School who again hosted a fantastic competition that was again a good pre-season opener for the Oxfordshire Clubs and the Umpires.

Many thanks to the Buckinghamshire Umpires Association who supplied umpires throughout the day and did such a great job with the new rules.