Doncaster Hockey Club under-18 boys claim second spot at national indoor championships

The Town Field club’s under 18 boys finished runners up at the 2018 Super 6s National Club Championship in Telford last month.

They narrowly failed to win the title after losing 7-4 to Guildford in the final.

The tournament saw the top ten club sides in the country battle it out for the national title following regional qualifying competitions.

Coach Ali West said: “I am delighted that the lads have been rewarded for their hard work and application over the last two months by winning a medal at this prestigious national competition.

“This has set the standard for our younger groups in the coming years.”

Doncaster’s squad was made up of Martin Rose, Tom Downs, Harry Goodall, Ben Stoves, Joe Tomlinson, Haris Davenport, Daniel West, Ethan Kensett, Alex Rudkin, Zak Jolly, Matthew White and Tayyab Rehman.

Their opening pool match was a 7-3 win over Beeston with goals from Jolly (2), West, White, Davenport, Downs and Rehman.

White (2), Goodall and captain West then scored in an impressive 4-3 victory against last year’s champions Surbiton.

Despite defeats to Old Merchant Taylors and Ashmoor, Doncaster had done enough to set up a semi-final with Repton.

First half goals from Jolly and White put Doncaster in control and, despite a sensational individual goal from Stuart Kentwell, West’s goal with four minutes remaining was enough to seal a 3-1 win.

Guildford took command of the final from the beginning and quickly established a 3-0 lead.

Try as they might to get back into the game, Doncaster could not overturn the deficit.

Second half goals from Rudkin, West and two more from White were not enough as Guildford ran out deserved 7-4 winners.

White’s nine goals made him the joint leading goalscorer for the tournament.