U16 boys top the table this week with an unbeaten season so far with 13 wins from 13 games. This means the boys should be crowned League Winners, once the remaining results are calculated from the postponed games. A fantastic end to the season, and let’s hope the play offs are as successful.  Report to follow shortly. Boys winning team pictured below with coach David Bailey:

CONGRATULATIONS to the U16 boys who reached the final of the Northern Indoor Hockey Championships at KC Stadium in Hull on a very snowy Sunday. A detour from Driffield via Fridaythorpe for Ian Falkingham to collect a snowed in Aaron Gate, and a slow treacherous journey from Scarborough  for Tom and John Precious saw the boys arrive as the warm ups were commencing. Despite losing the first game 6-4 to Sheffield (coming back from 4-0 down) this showed the boys had the potential. After a two hour break they were back in action against Lancaster. 11 seconds later and we took the lead and never looked back, winning 15-0. A hard fought game against Bowden Hockey Club, Cheshire saw Driffield through to the semi-final as pool runners up with a 4-2 victory.

The semi-final against a very strong York side saw Driffield holding there own. Some great interchange play and a goal was inevitable. Leading 3-2 with one minute to go, Driffield conceded a late ‘disputed’ goal to take the game into penalty flicks! With ‘Super Sam’ between the sticks, Driffield were quietly confident.  York were up first and a super save up to his top right hand corner, advantage Driffield. Up stepped George Mason to slot the ball in to the bottom left corner. York then missed the goal with their second, whilst Guy Bristowe’s flick was saved by the York keeper. York needing to score, handed the game to Driffield as there flick went wide of the gal, much to a relieved Harry Bailey, who didn’t have to take his.......into the Final.

The final saw us playing against Doncaster + 2! A slow start and tiredness after only a 10 minute break saw Doncaster race to a 4-0 lead at half time. Two more goals from Driffield    

Junior Representative Successes

Following six weeks of development sessions and matches at the Leeds Junior Regional Performance Centres, six players from Driffield Hockey Club have achieved great individual successes recently. Scott Bristowe and Charlie Falkingham (U15) were selected to represent Pennine Pumas at England Hockey’s High Performance Academy (HiPac), at Lilleshall National Sports centre. Guy Bristowe (U17) and Amy Evans (U17 Girls) – were selected as none travelling reserves. This is an intense 2 days of coaching and matches led by some of the countries best coaches for players identified as prospective England players. Sam Falkingham was also selected at U17 level. Sam has played all his junior hockey at Driffield, but now attends Repton School in Derbyshire.

David Knapton (U18) and Aaron Gate (U16) were also selected to represent Pennine Pumas (North of England) at England Hockey’s Futures Cup at the end of October. This is an England Hockey assessment tournament against teams from the East,  South and West of the country. Success at this tournament would see the two players through to the National Age Groups Squads and only one step away from representing England.

Well done to all players and good luck to David and Aaron in two weeks time.