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The finals for the U16 boys.
Mike Rushmere13 Apr 2016 - 12:07
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U16 boys at the Yorkshire Playoff finals on Saturday 9th April 2016.
The U16’s ended their season at Wakefield with the playoffs. Thirsk were in a pool with Doncaster, Harrogate and York. First up were Doncaster who have been the toughest team to play all season. All round the pitch Thirsk were getting the better of Doncaster. Alex Docherty, Harrison Downs and Ben McIntosh all defending strongly, and at the other end Thirsk created several fine chances, but their goalkeeper was on form. It looked like Harry Collinson’s penalty corner strike was going in, only for the post to come to their rescue. Doncaster did have chances, but were in the end more than fortunate to win, as they converted a penalty corner late on with an accurate high drag flick. So final score Thirsk 0-1 Doncaster.
Thirsk then saw York beat Doncaster 2-0, which meant a win against Harrogate was essential. Thirsk with confidence, played some of their best hockey of the season. Harrogate had few chances, and Otis Williams, Harry Goodall, Harry C and Josh Devlin took a strong grip on the game with midfield dominance. The opening goal came from Sam Bosomworth, converting from a narrow angle on the right hand side with the goalkeeper out of position. Arthur Hunt whose movement on and off the ball created havoc all day got his first goal of the day, and although only a 2-0 win, it could have been plenty more, James Foster shooting narrowly wide just one of many chances not taken.
The final group game with York was another must win game, as a draw for York would be enough to take them through to the semi-final. Thirsk got off to the best start, with Sam passing to Harry G, he passed on to Otis, who found Arthur out on the right wing, he burst into the D along the base line, and fed Josh to fire home. Josh Dale, and Harry C kept York pegged back in this game with several well placed aerial balls, and Oliver Houseman and Connor Watson both added some extra impetus up front. Arthur was able to get a second, but the York goalkeeper who had not conceded in the previous two games continued to keep York in the game with a string of first class saves. The 2-0 win gave Thirsk top position in the pool, and a semi-final with pool B runners up Ben Rhydding.
Thirsk started brightly in this game, with Sam, Arthur and Fossie all moving well to stretch their defence. Arthur opened the scoring, and also earned a penalty stroke when he was flattened as he was about to unleash his shot. Harry C converted this for a 2-0 lead. But Thirsk lapsed in defence and one of their players was able to march into the circle and scored with a fine shot, game on. Thirsk responded through Connor taking his chance from a fine through pass from Josh, and slotting home. However, Ben Rhydding came back and scored through a penalty corner, to make it 3-2. Thirsk though continued to play attacking hockey and Arthur got his second, and with 5 minutes left it was 4-2 to Thirsk. But Thirsk allowed themselves to be panicked by the England player on the opposition team, and in the space of 3 minutes he scored twice to force a 4-4 draw, though one was fortunate that Will Mitchel was not able to keep it out. But Will soon was saving the day, Harry C, Josh Devlin, Otis and Sam all converting their flicks, with Will keeping 2 out for a 4-2 win.
So onto the final with Doncaster , who had rolled over Bradford in their Semi. Thirsk yet again looked the better team with Sam shooting narrowly wide early on, and failing to make the most of his chance soon after. It was a great team performance, with the Doncaster star players not able to break down and penetrate the defensive efforts of Thirsk. Arthur earned a penalty corner and despite Otis’s first shot not making good connection, he was the first to react, and fed Arthur, who chipped the ball into the goal. Thirsk continued to look the better team with good possession, but the ‘soft’ conceding of a penalty corner with 4 minutes to go led to Doncaster converting another accurate high drag flick. Stalemate at 1-1, and the title was to be decided on penalty strokes. Harry C and Otis converted theirs but captain for the day Josh Devlin saw his saved. Will managed to get a pad to Doncaster’s 3rd flick but could not keep it out. Despite Sam and Josh Dale converting their strokes, it was not enough, so Dan West, Doncaster’s England playing captain converted his to complete a 5-4 win.
This was a disappointing way for the season to come to an end. However well done to all the lads who played not just on this day, but all the games played this season. Yorkshire runners up and North finalists outdoors, to go with North Champions indoors, and a 5th/6th placing at the National indoor finals has made it very memorable. There are many more hockey people in the country who have now heard of Thirsk !
Thirsk then saw York beat Doncaster 2-0, which meant a win against Harrogate was essential. Thirsk with confidence, played some of their best hockey of the season. Harrogate had few chances, and Otis Williams, Harry Goodall, Harry C and Josh Devlin took a strong grip on the game with midfield dominance. The opening goal came from Sam Bosomworth, converting from a narrow angle on the right hand side with the goalkeeper out of position. Arthur Hunt whose movement on and off the ball created havoc all day got his first goal of the day, and although only a 2-0 win, it could have been plenty more, James Foster shooting narrowly wide just one of many chances not taken.
The final group game with York was another must win game, as a draw for York would be enough to take them through to the semi-final. Thirsk got off to the best start, with Sam passing to Harry G, he passed on to Otis, who found Arthur out on the right wing, he burst into the D along the base line, and fed Josh to fire home. Josh Dale, and Harry C kept York pegged back in this game with several well placed aerial balls, and Oliver Houseman and Connor Watson both added some extra impetus up front. Arthur was able to get a second, but the York goalkeeper who had not conceded in the previous two games continued to keep York in the game with a string of first class saves. The 2-0 win gave Thirsk top position in the pool, and a semi-final with pool B runners up Ben Rhydding.
Thirsk started brightly in this game, with Sam, Arthur and Fossie all moving well to stretch their defence. Arthur opened the scoring, and also earned a penalty stroke when he was flattened as he was about to unleash his shot. Harry C converted this for a 2-0 lead. But Thirsk lapsed in defence and one of their players was able to march into the circle and scored with a fine shot, game on. Thirsk responded through Connor taking his chance from a fine through pass from Josh, and slotting home. However, Ben Rhydding came back and scored through a penalty corner, to make it 3-2. Thirsk though continued to play attacking hockey and Arthur got his second, and with 5 minutes left it was 4-2 to Thirsk. But Thirsk allowed themselves to be panicked by the England player on the opposition team, and in the space of 3 minutes he scored twice to force a 4-4 draw, though one was fortunate that Will Mitchel was not able to keep it out. But Will soon was saving the day, Harry C, Josh Devlin, Otis and Sam all converting their flicks, with Will keeping 2 out for a 4-2 win.
So onto the final with Doncaster , who had rolled over Bradford in their Semi. Thirsk yet again looked the better team with Sam shooting narrowly wide early on, and failing to make the most of his chance soon after. It was a great team performance, with the Doncaster star players not able to break down and penetrate the defensive efforts of Thirsk. Arthur earned a penalty corner and despite Otis’s first shot not making good connection, he was the first to react, and fed Arthur, who chipped the ball into the goal. Thirsk continued to look the better team with good possession, but the ‘soft’ conceding of a penalty corner with 4 minutes to go led to Doncaster converting another accurate high drag flick. Stalemate at 1-1, and the title was to be decided on penalty strokes. Harry C and Otis converted theirs but captain for the day Josh Devlin saw his saved. Will managed to get a pad to Doncaster’s 3rd flick but could not keep it out. Despite Sam and Josh Dale converting their strokes, it was not enough, so Dan West, Doncaster’s England playing captain converted his to complete a 5-4 win.
This was a disappointing way for the season to come to an end. However well done to all the lads who played not just on this day, but all the games played this season. Yorkshire runners up and North finalists outdoors, to go with North Champions indoors, and a 5th/6th placing at the National indoor finals has made it very memorable. There are many more hockey people in the country who have now heard of Thirsk !
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