The U13 boys’ hockey team performed outstandingly at their IAPS Regional Qualifier at Hurstpierpoint College. They went through the day undefeated and played some of their best team hockey of the season.
Cranleigh dominated their group, securing victories against Holmewood House, Hurst, and Windlesham House with a combined score of 17-0. A comfortable 4-0 win against Feltonfleet in the quarter-finals put them into a semi-final against an excellent Hall Grove side. This match became more critical, with only the finalists qualifying for the National Finals.
Scoring against the run of play, Cranleigh went into half-time relieved to be 1-0 up. Although they played much better and dominated the second half, the team conceded a late equaliser to set up five minutes of extra time. With no further goals scored, it went to a tense penalty shootout, but with a miss and a save from Hall Grove and the first two scored by Cranleigh, the boys went through to the final.
With a place at the National Finals secured, the team ran out comfortable 2-0 winners in the final against Windlesham House to claim the title of IAPS Regional Champions. Cranleigh can now look forward to the National Finals at Merchant Taylors’ School on Tuesday, March 11th.
