The Courier

Crescent travelled to Rugby School for the annual IAPS tournament qualifier. The school has qualified for the National Finals for the past three years and, with most of the team still playing from last year, the boys were aiming to do the same again.

Crescent surged through the group with four 2-0 wins. George’s reverse stick finishes were the highlights along with some lovely passing moves. In the quarter finals, they faced their local rivals Bilton Grange. Having lost to them in the previous tournament, the boys learned their lesson, snuffing out the counter-attack and being more energetic on the restarts. In the end, Crescent won 3-0.

Solihull awaited them in the semi-final. The two teams had closely fought battles when both teams were under 9 and this proved to be no different. Josh, who had had little to do up until that point, showed good concentration levels to pull off some great saves when called upon. The match ended 0-0 and went to golden goal extra time. Crescent won a short corner halfway into the extra time. Following a blocked strike at goal, the ball fell to Archie. He hit the ball goal-wards, the shot deflected off a Solihull stick and nestled in the roof of the net. Crescent had reached the final and qualified for the National Finals.

The boys wanted more, though, having finished runners-up last year. Against Moulsford, the boys were on the attack straight away. Perhaps the occasion was getting to them or fatigue but they did not show the quality of finishing that they had earlier in the tournament. With the game heading for extra time again, Archie found space on the left by-line where they seemed to be none. He tiptoed around two sticks and laid it into George in the D. George coolly slotted the ball to the side of the keeper and into the goal. The hooter sounded straight afterwards which meant that Crescent were Regional Champions. The boys were absolutely delighted but still showed great respect towards their worthy opponents.

On to the Nationals in March back at Rugby School.

Team: Josh G, Marco, Archie (defence that went through the tournament without conceding a goal), Isaac, Tom, Noah, George, Matthew.

Marco Rodriguez-Hernandez and Noah Windley, both are Year 6 pupils at the Crescent School, have been selected for Warwickshire Hockey’s U13 Academy Squad after attending trials at the end of last year.

Securing a spot in the county line-up is no mean feat, and Marco and Noah who are both only 11-years-old have earned the honour a whole two years ahead of some of their Warwickshire Hockey U13 squad peers.

In recognition of their selection Crescent’s Headmaster Joe Thackway presented the boys with their County tie in the school’s assembly.

The boys said, “We are really pleased and proud to have been selected for the County Squad.”

Both are now both attending regular County training sessions and will be introduced to England Hockey’s Player Pathway, a development programme that helps junior players realise their potential and they are both looking forward to their first matches.

Head of Sport, Matt Phillips commented, “Hockey is one of many sports we play here at the Crescent and the boys are key members of our U11 team.   They are talented players with excellent technical skills and that has clearly been recognised by the County selection team.   This is a fantastic achievement; their success is thoroughly deserved.”