Hoorn Hockey Tournament‏

S & S U17s embarked on their first International festival in Hoorn, Netherlands. They competed in a Tournament with 6 other U17s teams and 4 U19s. In six games they won two and lost four against some tough opposition

S & S U17s 1 Mannheimer U19s 5

This was a tough start against the eventual winners of the tournament & a team that we were told were the German National champions. This was an outstanding defensive performance against a much bigger & stronger team. James Steer was outstanding in goal and skipper Jack Chiswell and Matt Stevenson put in a shift at the back. The goal came from an aerial from Lewis Bridger over the Mannheim defence, Elliot Jones outpacing their defence then drew a foul from the keeper, a penalty flick was awarded which Bridger duly despatched.

Ethan Pennington in a tireless performance was the Man of the Match.

S & S U17s 4 Rotterdam U17s 5

This was a game that could have gone either way against one of the biggest clubs in the Netherlands. After Rotterdam took an early two goal lead S & S came straight back at them, the teams youngest player Ben Stevens at just 13 taking two great touches before slotting home for goal number one, the speed of Elliot Jones netted goal number two after another aerial from Lewis Bridger & then Ethan Pennington unleashed a beast of a shot for number three.

Rotterdam started the second half well & scored twice early on, they then added a fifth goal midway through the half that came off of an S & S stick from a hit outside the D, which unfortunately was not spotted, but S & Srallied & Liam Stevens turned on the stick skills & then produced a class lifted finish on his reverse. Despite laying siege to the Rotterdam goal in the last few minutes S & S could not get the equaliser they deserved. Ben Stevens was the man of the Match

S & S U17s 1 Wiesbaden U17s 4

This was a game S & S could have easily have won against a very physical Wiesbaden side. With five chances recorded with only the keeper to beat & several other opportunities it was just one of those days. A lively Elliot Jones & a skillful Liam Stevens were joint men of the match, Jones with a good finish was the goalscorer.

S & S U17s 0 WFHC U19s 7

A tired looking team were outplayed by their older & bigger opposition. James Steer had a great second half in goal, but the Man of the Match was the hard working Ethan Pennington

S & S U17s 3 WFHC U17s 1

This was a hard fought win by two reasonably well matched sides. S & S edged the game by playing the better structured hockey. There were some great performances, Jeneay Van Hamersveld was excellent in defence & distributed well, Ed De Luca worked really hard & Angus Monaghan was solid at the back, keeper James Thompson also made some great saves in his best performance of the tournament. Joe Purslow was the man of the match showing great vision & distribution. Goals came from Elliot Jones from close range. A great short corner routine involving Purslow , Lewis Bridger & Jack Chiswell resulted in a good finish from Liam Stevens and a smack from the top of the D from Bridger accounted for the third goal.

S & S U17s 6 Roslagen U17s 1

S & S saved the best until last with an excellent performance against Roslagen a team from Sweden. Goals game from Matt Stevenson, Elliot Jones and a cracker from Liam Stevens in the first half, a game Roslagen scoring one in reply. In the second half S & S were completely dominant, some good work down the left by Ed De Luca saw the ball come into Stevens he used some tight skills to find Lewis Bridger at the top of the D to bang it home. The fifth goal was well worked by Joe Purslow his lift over the keeper was met on the volley by a buzzing & literally flying Ben Stevens. The sixth goal fell to Bridger who waltzed through the Roslagen defence & finished with a lifted shot. Bridger was the Man of the Match.

This was the first time S & S have sent a Junior team to an International tournament and every player enjoyed the experience & came away better players for it. The Players & Team Management awards were as follows:

Player of the Tournament - Ethan Pennington

Most Improved - Joe Purslow

Most Goals - Elliot Jones & Lewis Bridger

Best Tourist - Angus Monaghan

Squad: James Thompson (GK), James Steer (GK), Jack Chiswell (Captain), Angus Monaghan, Ethan Pennington, Matt Stevenson, Joe Purslow, Jeneay Van Hamersveld, Lewis Bridger (Vice Captain), Elliot Jones, Ben Stevens, Liam Stevens, Ed De Lu