Our U13 hockey squad was one of just 20 teams (from a total of 88 teams entered) to travel to Haileybury School on Friday 4 March, to compete in the IAPS Hockey National Finals.
The boys got off to a flying start with three wins and one loss in their group, which progressed them to the knockout stages. In the quarter-final, they played superbly against The New Beacon School, winning 3-0. The boys then again put in a strong performance in the semi-final against Hall Grove School but lost 1-0 from a penalty flick and the chance to take the national title. Undeterred, they entered their final game with a bronze medal to play for against King’s Hall School. A brilliant display saw them go 1-0 up before an equaliser late in the game. Then, after another inspiring team talk from Mr Hoggett and Mr Lee, the boys went into five minutes of Golden Goal hockey. Three minutes later, and after a rush forward and a battle between two defenders and a goalkeeper, the bronze medal was secured, and the boys took their place in the top three teams in the country.
Mr Hoggett and Mr Lee were exceptionally impressed with how the boys performed and behaved during the day. They did both themselves and everyone associated with Bedford School proud.
Mr Mee, Director of Hockey, commented, “What a brilliant week of hockey. We are proud to be one of the few schools (possibly the only prep school!) to have played teams in three age group IAPS Hockey National Finals last week. Well done to all the boys who represented the school so brilliantly, particularly the U13 team on their brilliant bronze. This team had qualified for the U11 finals in 2020 but, disappointingly, had to miss them due to COVID. It is particularly impressive that they managed to maintain their strong IAPS form to rank in the top three schools in the country on their return”
The U13 Team
- Jack Sivills
- George Knight
- Freddie Bowis
- Monty Lomax
- Jack Down (Captain)
- Benjamin Maddaford
- Alex Turner
- Harry Howlett
- Ollie Jackson
- Alfred Williams
- Rory Stewart-Jones