The HBU U15 team travelled to Manningtree to play three games in their second tournament of the season with their young goalkeeper Ishen Kiff suffering from illness, not ideal preparation for his first full U15 tournament!

In their first match against a guest team of star players appearing as “Plymouth” HBU made a tentative start conceding poor goals, allowing their opponents to open up a three goal lead at half time. The second half continued in the same manner with Captain Josh Branchett’s goal the only indication that HBU had participated, the team appeared half asleep and had no excuses for not making a better show in this match!! HBU went down 12-1 in this friendly fixture.

The second game was against the strong big hitting Walpole side who were sitting 2nd in the table. HBU had regrouped following their first game and were very quick out of the blocks, playing with focus and an energy not seen in the earlier match. HBU quickly went goals ahead with the score at halftime 5-0. The second half saw HBU continue to press their much bigger opponents and restrict them to shooting from a distance with Ishen able to deal with the shots. Three futher goals and a late Walpole response saw the final score 8-1, Josh and Jamie netted 3 a piece, David and Will one each. The effort put in by all players to ensure that Walpole had no free shots at goal from anywhere on the rink demonstrated great defensive team play with all players working for each other to win back possession of the ball.

The final HBU match against an improving Colchester side, saw HBU continue in the same form being 6-0 up halftime and seeing out the game 9-1 with Josh netting four, Jamie and David two a piece and Katie one. The game was played for 99% in the Cochester box with their giant keeper the busiest player on the rink saving on many occasions and just preventing Amelia getting her name on the scoresheet.

Team: Ishen Kiff (GK), Josh Branchett(8) captain, Katie McVey(1), David Martindale(3), Jamie McVey(5), Will Parkinson Wellard(1), Amelia Parkinson Wellard.

Man of the tournament: Josh Branchett.