February, they knew the task ahead of them was not going to be easy. In order to get through to the knock out stages of the Surrey Cup, they needed to come first or second in their group. Also in their group were St Georges Weybridge, who had beaten Cranleigh 3 – 1 in a school fixture two weeks before and Hoebridge, who Cranleigh had recently beaten 1- 0 in a very close match the week before.
The Cranleigh Prep boys lost their opener against Georges 0 -1 after an incredibly well fought battle and then went on to draw against a tenacious Barrow Hills side 0 – 0. This meant that CPS had to win against Hoebridge to progress; a draw would not be good enough. CPS’s second 1 – 0 victory in the space of 7 days must have been heart breaking for Hoebridge, and the boys showed real class in the magnanimous way in which they celebrated their own success. And so to the semi finals…
St. Andrews, winners of the other group, must have wondered what hit them. Both CPS coaches, Mr Batchelor and Mr Thomas, watched in awed wonder as their boys put on their best display of hockey in the season so far. The passing was exquisite and resulted in two expertly executed goals.
It was good to see the old foe St Georges at the other end of the pitch in the final. Sadly, despite more great hockey, St Georges finished deserved winners – again just one goal separated the teams. The CPS boys are looking forward to another chance to play them in the regional finals.
