On fine bank holiday Sunday morning the U16 boys cohort travelled down to Surbiton for an early meet and a challenging start to the new season. While a number of the boys have been playing together since U12 a new season always brings new faces and with a couple of injury recuperations still underway from the previous season (lest we forget it was only 3 weeks ago that some of these boys finished up the England Hockey TA cycle), we also had a chance to give experience to some of the wider squad and our U14 stars.

First game was our hosts, Surbiton HC, who on their home turf were always going to be a tough challenge. The boys started brightly with a 3-1-3-1-2 formation looking to give space to captain of the day, Ben Bastow at the top of a diamond and allowing Charlie Buchanan to use his attacking intentions to get down the right hand side. Charlie Cooper in midfield was disrupting their play nicely but it wasn’t easy for the young midfield of Jonny Norton and Benji Brooks. Some slick passing from these two and a penalty corner chance created. Up stepped Austin Edwards to fire his first drag flick of the day into the top of the net. Surbiton fought back hard but early in the second quarter came a moment of magic – Sam Bond, a menace to their attack from screen, turned provider with an aerial from D to D, to find Jack Cooper who volleyed home at shoulder height from the first bounce to stun the home GK. Goal of the day contender #1 came from Cooper jr.

Second half and Surbiton were a side transformed, calm under pressure and in control, they fought back with 2 goals in 2 quarters. While Coach felt the side deserved the win overall it wasn’t to be and a draw stood on the score sheet.

Second game not long later came the mighty Hockey Mentors, giants in comparison to some of our youngsters and tough opposition they proved to be. With new recruit Johann leading the line and showing some silky skills the IHC boys looked threatening however, and a penalty corner won in the second quarter enabled Austin to step up and fire home his second drag flick of the day – this time a nice behind the back, slip left from Sam Bond and into the bottom right corner it went. Then the game was hard fought through the third quarter but our young squad was feeling the pace with a couple of niggles being managed on the bench and the Mentors drove home 2 goals. One quarter to go and one final push! Another set of penalty corners won and up stepped Austin to grab his third of the day with a ripper in off the underside os the cross bar. 2-2! Was there a final twist? For sure – last minute and the boys dug deep. A fabulous ball out of midfield on the break from Alex Bond and Jonny was free into the top left of their D, the defence closing down hard, a dip of the shoulder and out wide he went, down went the keeper and while some though the ball must go out of play, a reverse stick baseline lob materialised and flew in off the far post. Goal of the day contender #2 with almost the last play and a 3-2 win. Notable mention must be made to the hard-working defence of Aiden Douse & AJ Artaman, the tireless running up front from Ben Theulier and GK of the day - Callum Warnes who kept us in the game at 2-1 down.

Mizuno Cup winners and the first piece of silverware of the 2024/25 season went to the U16 boys. Tournament Top goal scorer going to Austin Edwards. Winning on goals scored – and two of the best you will likely see all season. If you are keen to watch it back, then the match replays are available on YouTube on the Surbiton Hockey Club channel.