Crescent U11 Boys Win IAPS Regional Championships!
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.