The U10 boys were at Weetwood Leeds in the final round of the YYHL competition.
This was the highest the A team had been all season so the pressure was on to continue the winning ways and look to take the top position.
They were up against the top teams in Yorkshire and this was apparent from the first game against Ben Rhydding. The game went up and down with both sides having opportunities, but in the end the tie was broken with a cracking goal from Ollie Pollock. Despite further chances the score ended at 1-0 to Thirsk. One down three to go.
Next up were Sheffield who were a strong squad and for the first 8 minutes both sides were frustrated by good defence and for Thirsk, goal line clearances by Oliver McIntosh in goal.
Then Thirsk had a break away goal from Fergus Mainey, and this seemed to wake up Thirsk and upset Sheffield who then succumbed to two more goals, one from Ollie and then from Sam Degazon. What a game, a 3-0 win, and again no goals conceded. Two games off before taking on Harrogate, the team that had been promoted with us from the last fixtures and had been the only one we did not beat then. Was it the two games off or the thought that these were a team that had caused us problems before. Whatever the reason we could not get a goal despite short corners and one on one times with the Harrogate keeper.
Again Oliver kept a clean sheet with a couple of great saves supported by Cameron McIntosh, Freddie Worth and Charles Ryder. Despite substituting in our other super defender Freddie Frankish, we could not break down the Harrogate defence and the game ran out 0-0. This was not a result that could see us taking the title as Wakefield were still to be played and although they had lost to Sheffield 1-0, we would still need to beat them in our last game to be in with a chance. So we stepped up to the game aware of the importance of strong marking and positive passing. The game was a constant battle in mid-field, with Ollie and Sam running after every opportunity to intercept or tackle. Fergus provided a target up front and had some freedom, but Wakefield were marking our key players well. The two Freddies, Cameron and Charles worked hard to stamp out any attacks in our D but eventually a Wakefield forward found himself in space in the D and a bullet of a shot passed Oliver into the net. Not to be overcome the team fought on, and despite some close chances there was no more goals in the Thirsk bag. The final whistle setting the score at 1-0 to Wakefield. This meant we had 7 points to the 9 each for Wakefield and Sheffield. Wakefield took the title on goal difference. The boys did well, outstanding really, beating Sheffield, the only ones to do so, and only loosing to the winners by one goal. They should all be boasting of their achievement and being third in Yorkshire is a feat worth celebrating. Thank you team you have made your coach very proud. Thanks to Ewan for umpiring and the parents for support. I hope the Mum's were all thanked and treated for taking the day out (Mother's Day) to be enjoying the hockey and sunshine in Leeds.
The B team were playing in division E against Driffield, Halifax, York and Sheffield. The Under 10 B's performed brilliantly today, winning three games and drawing one, this was a very successful outing taking them to the top of the division. The particular high point was the game against Halifax, a strong team who had performed very well against the competition. Our boys started quickly putting Halifax on the back foot and they never recovered. They beat Driffield 2-1, Halifax 2-0, drew 0-0 with York and beat Sheffield 3-0. Well done to the team of Archie Davies, Freddy Palmer, Jack Deighton, Jacob Heatlie (GK), Oscar Wileman, Rupert Hughes, Sebastian Secouet and William Keens. It seems the team played the best hockey yet and deserved to win their division. Thanks also to Chris Hughes and Hannah Secouet for taking on running the team. It helped that it was a really sunny day! Also thanks to the parents for their vocal support.