The Friary U14 boys’ hockey team had an unforgettable experience this week as they took on some of the finest private schools in the region at the prestigious championships. Competing against high-calibre opposition, the squad demonstrated resilience, skill, and determination throughout the tournament. While results didn’t go in their favour, the experience will undoubtedly serve as valuable preparation for future competitions.
A notable debut came from newcomer Noah Jane, who made the transition from Netherstowe and wasted no time in making an impact. Josh Hunt, known for his clinical finishing, was in fine form, unleashing several reverse stick shots, but was unfortunately denied by strong goalkeeping and defensive efforts from the opposition.
The central midfield pairing of Jack Stainforth and Osama Alashi provided a strong core, distributing the ball effectively and battling fiercely to control possession. Meanwhile, wingers Sam McCaskie and Elliott Trent caused persistent problems for the opposition with their pace and attacking intent, ensuring that Friary remained a threat going forward.
Despite arriving with three substitutes, Friary suffered an unfortunate turn of events early on. Within the first ten minutes of the opening game, illness and injury struck, leaving the team with no substitutions for the remainder of the tournament. This forced a number of tactical adjustments, particularly in defence, which inevitably had an impact on their overall performance. However, the team adapted admirably and put in two commendable performances despite these setbacks.
The opening two fixtures saw Friary face Wolverhampton Grammar and Lichfield Cathedral School – two exceptionally strong teams. Despite the challenges, Friary showed incredible resilience, conceding only a single goal in each match to suffer narrow 1-0 defeats. The team then scored two draws.
The defensive unit worked tirelessly, with goalkeeper Noah Bowers delivering a standout performance. His incredible saves kept Friary in contention, ensuring that neither game ran away from them. His heroics between the posts were a testament to his skill and composure under pressure.
Reflecting on the tournament, Kim Fallows, Head Coach, was full of praise for the team’s performance and attitude commenting:
“WOW, just WOW….what an achievement to be invited to the hockey championships, and what a lucky PE teacher I am to take such a delightful and skilful bunch of boys to compete. It wasn’t a win, but what a fantastic learning journey it will be for the boys in their future matches, having the opportunity to play at such a high level. Really proud of you boys, Friary held their own, and our losses were nothing catastrophic – we were unlucky.”
Sam Foster, Head of Faculty for Performance & Technologies, added; “Though the results may not have been what they had hoped for, the Friary U14 boys can take great pride in their performances. Their ability to compete against some of the top schools in the region, despite facing adversity, is a sign of their growing potential. With this experience under their belts, the team will no doubt come back stronger in future competitions. Well done, Friary!”