Teddington’s title delight

11:09am Friday 16th May 2008

Teddington Hockey Club's U16 boys have been crowned Home Counties champions after a stunning finals day at Woking Hockey Club, writes Adele Kimber.

Teddington beat Reading 5-4 in extra time in the final to claim a title they last held in 2001.

After a 2-0 victory over SJB Academy in the semi-final, Teddington faced a Reading side who were unbeaten all season.

Teddington began strongly with an early goal, but were soon drawn level by Reading.

The game was 2-2 at half-time and continued on a knife-edge until the last few minutes.

First Teddington were awarded a penalty flick to make it 4-3, but Reading made it 4-4 just before full-time with a penalty of their own.

The first half of extra-time ended goalless but, early in the second, a wild tackle gave Teddington another penalty flick.

Ali Mannering slotted the winner - his third successful penalty of the match.

Teddington forward Harry Scotton was named man of the match.

Teddington squad: Chris Walker (captain), Ali Mannering, Calum Mackenzie, Tom Fletcher, Patrick Davis, James Pease-Watkin, Leon Blanchard, Ben Hunter, Brendan Kirkwood, Louis Bennett, Jack Baverstock, Alex King, Jonny Gooch, Ben O'Hara.

Teddington U14 boys also made it to finals day after a glorious unbeaten run through their Home Counties league.

They beat Ashford 10-3 in the quarter-finals and Oxford Hawkes 4-1 in the semis, but lost to High Wycombe in the final.

Teddington squad: Jonny Gooch (captain), Joseph Malthouse, Conor Mackenzie, Rory Blanchard, Max Grantham, William Caruana, George Sams, Avik Kar, Robbie Oliver, Cieran Gallagher, Alistair Blanchard, Harry Tivnen, James Dann, David Anderson, Ellis Farmery

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