England U16 Boys and Ladies have been in motion towards Germany over the weekend in a aggressive collection towards some powerful opposition. Brilliantly hosted by Canterbury HC at Polo Farm, the collection was a key alternative to play some aggressive fixtures and check the squads.
England U16 Boys
Saturday 29 June
England 1 – 7 Germany (Herbie Walton)
Sunday 30 June
England 1 – 6 Germany (Herbie Walton)
England U16 Boys got here collectively for a two recreation collection towards, 2023 8 Nations champions, Germany.
In what was going to be a troublesome collection, the boys began brightly in recreation one and have been in a position to create a few early probabilities. As the sport continued, the Germans have been in a position to exploit the gaps with quick motion of the ball and good leads into area.
A powerful second quarter noticed the scoreline 3-0 to Germany they usually added a pair extra in every quarter after half time. England lastly had one thing to cheer about when Walton deflected in on the again publish of a nicely labored quick nook.
Regardless of the loss, the boys have been able to set the information straight in recreation two and an elevated physicality and tighter marking noticed a powerful first half efficiency.
At instances, stoic protection and robust saves from keepers Davis and Mortimer have been wanted, nevertheless a 0-0 scoreline at half time mirrored a way more even contest. Germany got here out firing within the 3rd quarter and shortly put the sport past doubt, nevertheless England’s strongest quarter of the weekend was nonetheless to return, exhibiting nice dedication and dedication. Walton once more scoring a deflection, this time with a great cross from Lakin-Corridor.
Head Coach Harry Jones commented “It was a difficult collection towards a powerful opposition, however we completely love taking part in the Germans. The takeaways are invaluable, and we look ahead to seeing them once more in two weeks’ time on the 4 Nations.”
England U16 Ladies
Saturday 29 June
England 2 – 3 Germany (Phoebe Barnett, Isla Campbell)
Sunday 30 June
England 6 – 4 Germany (Phoebe Barnett, Isla Campbell, Jessica Liddell, Amelie Carter, Katie Southorn, Biba Mills)
England U16 Ladies performed an evenly matched and extremely aggressive first recreation, with England beginning nicely after a cool end from Phoebe Barnett on the far publish from a nicely labored PCA.
Germany fought onerous and introduced the sport again to 1-1 at half time. Isla Campbell made it 2-1 for England within the third quarter. England had hit the publish a second earlier, just for Germany to search out area within the D and produce the rating line again to 2-2. An thrilling end-to-end 4th quarter ensued, with either side going shut however it was Germany who managed to get one throughout the road. The ultimate rating was rating 3-2 to Germany.
The England U16 Ladies’ second recreation was once more one other extremely fought recreation from either side, with England beginning nicely and going a aim up from Isla Campbell, just for Germany to search out the online at a nicely labored quick nook to equalise the rating. Phoebe Barnett discovered area within the D with a cool end, after which Jess Liddell scored once more from a superb penalty nook.
Germany got here again sturdy to even up the rating 3-3. An enormous ultimate quarter noticed glorious high quality from either side, however it was England who managed to interrupt by means of with a superb end from Amelie Carter with a backhand into the far nook of the aim.
This aim rallied the England supporters. The Germans then scored from a brief nook, just for it to be disallowed for harmful play, 4-3 England.
The England Ladies showcased quick flowing hockey, and it was England who went up yet one more with Katie Southorn discovering the online on the again publish. 5 minutes remained of the sport and the England gamers linked up once more to search out Biba Mills unmarked on the again publish. Closing rating 6-4.
Don Vinson Head Coach mirrored on the weekend “Taking part in prime groups like Germany is such a priceless studying expertise. For a lot of the group, this was solely their third and fourth recreation towards a prime European nation. Contemplating that truth, the depth, high quality, and relentlessness the group confirmed throughout the weekend was really exceptional. This was the perfect this group had performed – pushed to excellence by a powerful German facet who have been extremely aggressive, sturdy, and well-coached.
This weekend represented probably the most objectives we have now scored towards Germany in a collection for a few years and was a results of glorious technical means to cross and obtain forehand-to-forehand in circulate underneath excessive strain, to stay-in-the-game in scramble defence, and most significantly, to make good choices when fatigued.
Maybe much more pleasing than any of that was to see the group actually gel by means of their collective effort and to see their understanding develop of what it takes to win video games at junior worldwide stage. We didn’t have a participant of the collection this weekend – it went to the entire staff for his or her excellent effort and execution”
The subsequent matches for the England Age Group squads would be the ultimate tournaments of the worldwide season. The U18 squads journey to Granada, Spain with an 8 Nations match from 11-17 July. The U16 Ladies will end their season on the 4 Nations in Glasgow from 14-17 July and the U16 Boys shall be in motion at one other 4 Nations occasion at Lilleshall from 13-16 July.