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Team GB’s Phil Roper helped coach Guernsey’s under 16 boys as they and the island’s under 16 girl team took on some of the UK’s best junior sides.
The two sides, which are supported by Ravenscroft, each secured victories in the latest round of the U16 English Hockey National Championship in the UK. International hockey forward Roper was on hand to see Guernsey’s boys get off to a flying start against their hosts Marlow.
After just four minutes, a mazy run from Jay Piset led to Guernsey’s first goal. However, Marlow quickly struck back and were 2-1 by half time – although Guernsey created good opportunities.
The half time team talk called for more use of the flanks, and the second half saw plenty of chances at both ends. A few lapses in concentration allowed Marlow to score another four goals, but Guernsey finished strongly with Josh Newson scoring in the final five minutes. The game ended with Marlow winning 6-2.
The island’s players of the match, Ross Guilbert, Tom Cashin and Sam Ferry, received GB shirts from Phil Roper after he assisted team coach Nigel Cashin.
‘It was great to see Guernsey playing a high quality match with competitive opposition. It’s so important that young players have the opportunity to play different teams and have the exposure to wider competition. The standard and core skills on show was really encouraging, the team showed real maturity in the way they played,’ said Mr Roper.
Mark Thompson, director of junior hockey in Guernsey, said: 'This was a strong performance against one of the best teams in the country and we certainly shocked them by going 1-0 up in the first five minutes.
‘On Guernsey we have limited opportunity to play against such experienced sides, which is why entering the national competition is so important for the development of our players both on and off the pitch. We are very grateful to Ravenscroft for making this possible. I look forward to seeing some of these boys playing in our senior representative sides in the near future.'
The next match for Guernsey’s under 16 boys was against Oxford, although it was an 8-0 walk over as their opponents couldn’t raise a full team. However, they still played a friendly match after Marlow provided spare players to boost Oxford’s numbers. Guernsey’s captain Hugo Thompson scored along with Newsom, Tom Cashin and Lewis Perfitt in a 4-2 victory against a side that included county players.
Guernsey’s under 16 girls’ team faced Canterbury in their initial game. A masterclass of defending and goalkeeping, marshalled by captain Katie Halliday and goalkeeper Lauren Hagerman thwarted their opponents until just before half time when Canterbury scored.
In the second half, Guernsey’s resistance continued with backs Katie Laine, Cecile Le Clerc and Jenny Thomas putting in well-timed tackles while Megan Sharp and Maeve Tully showing great strength in midfield. Eventually though, the breakthrough arrived with Canterbury going on to win the match 4-0.
The Guernsey girls, still fired up from their first game, recorded a 5-1 victory in their next game against hosts Marsden Russets. Dominating from the start, Guernsey scored twice before half time before winning three more goals after the restart.
Ruby Swaisland scored Guernsey’s first and third goal. The second was taken by Emily Savident after excellent play by Rosa Bonner-Morgan, Sharp and Mille Garnett. Savident also scored the fourth goal.
The team saved the best for last with their final goal coming from a far post volley by Eloise Chubb, which left the Marden goalkeeper and defence stranded.
‘The girls played really well today showing some great composure on the ball and making some good decisions, which allowed them to compete and foil Canterbury’s tactics for most of the first game and dominate the play against Marden.’ said coach David Bromley.
Sally Bushell, assistant coach and hockey development officer, said: ‘We are really grateful to Ravenscroft for enabling us to give the girls the opportunity to play against good UK age group opposition. The girls proved to themselves today that they can compete.
‘The team spirit has been marvelous and it has been inspiring to watch how hard these girls worked for each other, especially when they were put under a lot of pressure.’
Ravenscroft’s group MD, Mark Bousfield, said: ‘As ambassadors for hockey and Guernsey, these young players continue to make us and the island proud with their determination and team effort in taking on UK teams.’
