There have been some impressive performances from the BGS hockey teams, notably the U14 boys’ side and the U13 girls’ and boys’ teams who all won their county championships to qualify for the Regional Finals.
The U13 Regional Finals were on 14 March. The U13 boys played very well, recording convincing wins in their group matches.
The highlights of the group campaign were goals from a lovely reverse strike from Aidan and a sublime piece of skill from Ollie King – to lift the ball and volley home all in one movement – only for the umpire to disallow the goal disappointingly claiming it was dangerous! It mattered not, as with four wins BGS had secured top spot in the group even before the final game against Taunton
The semi-final was a disappointment. Dean Close were an exceptionally strong team and luck was not on BGS’s side, going behind early on to a deflected goal. A looping shot from the top of the D doubled Dean Close’s advantage and when a third shot went high into the roof of the net from an outrageously narrow angle, sadly it was game over. Dean Close went on to win the final and will be tough to beat in the National Finals but the BGS boys should be proud of their performance.
The U13 girls finished second in their group, coming back from a 0–3 defeat to Millfield in their opening game to record five wins from five in the remaining group games. In the semi-final they lost 0–2, again to Dean Close who went on to win the tournament. There were some very good individual performances: Lucy Creed played with composure and excellent vision, while Alice Keyte up front scored some very good goals. In Midfield Grace and Esme worked tirelessly while at the back Donya and Flo held the fort and combined well together. The whole team played with great spirit, commitment and determination.
A week earlier, the U14 boys had also played in the Regional Finals. After losing to a strong Dean Close team in the first round, they played well in the next two games against Kings Taunton and Colyton to create many chances, but could not find the back of the net. Two 0–0 draws were not a fair reflection of the boys’ performance and they can be very proud of the hockey they played which drew very encouraging comments from many opposition coaches, spectators and parents.
March also saw the U12 Boys’ side compete against twelve other U12 teams from across the South West for the Booker Shield. Held at Failand, this seven-a-side tournament is played in memory of former BGS teacher and House master Michael Booker. The BGS team were undefeated throughout the tournament, winning three and drawing two of their group games to win the group. They beat The Downs comfortably in the semi-finals and when the final against Kingswood went to penalty shuffles, the boys won it with the fifth shuffle to win the Booker Shield. A fantastic result.