Junior Indoor Success

​On the 19th January, the club was represented at the England Hockey Super 6's Club Finals by our U18 Girls, U18 Boys, and U16 Girls. Find out here how they got on...

EG U18 Boys Indoor National Champions!!!

On Sunday 19^th January 2020 the club celebrated the first Boys U18 National Title winning the Super 6's Boys U18 National Championship. As 14 times National Indoor Champions in the Men's Competition the club has a fabulous reputation for the indoor game and to see this pay off with the U18's side was an amazing achievement for the club.

The Boys qualified back in December after winning the Regional Competition in Southampton. The team was led by Dylan Holland as Captain and they made their way to Telford for the finals. The Boys were placed in Group A alongside Harrogate, Ashmoor, Belper & Saffron Walden with results below:

EG vs Belper – 5-1 (Holland 2, Farmer 2, Bithell 1)

EG vs Ashmoor – 5-0 (Holland 2, San Millan 1, Farmer 1, Jones 1)

EG vs Saffron Walden – 5-0 (Jones 2, Cleaver 1, Bithell 1, San Millan 1)

EG vs Harrogate – 3-2 (Bithell 1, San Millan 1, Farmer 1)

As top of the group we played second place in Pool B which was Bowden. The Boys got off to a good start going into half time 2-0 up, goals from Bithell and San Millan. Bowden came back sharp after half time converting a penalty stroke to bring the game within one. With 4 minutes to go Bowden pulled their keeper but EG stayed strong and converted to go to two goals clear at 3-1 sending them to the final.

Harrogate played Sevenoaks in the second Semi Final and from 1-1 at half time, Harrogate went on to win 3-1, which left another EG vs Harrogate match up.

Dylan Holland led the way in the final getting EG off the mark 6 minutes in. Harrogate then levelled after 12 minutes and the match went into half time 1-1. With 6 minutes to go, Joe Farmer scored a screamer of a backhand to push EG into the lead. Harrogate pulled their keeper but again the boys stayed strong and in the last minute Jose San Millan sealed the title and converted another field goal, ending the game 3-1.

A huge thank you to Team Manager, Mike Farmer and all the boys who were a part of the squad. 

​EG U18 Girls.

After qualifying from the regional round, a relatively small squad travelled to the National Indoor finals in Repton.

Over the weekend 2 pools of five teams competed to qualify for 4 semi-final places .

EGs first opponents were the reigning National champions Repton. EG were not overawed and played very well in the first half. After conceding an early penalty flick Amber scored an equaliser in a very even first half encounter. Unfortunately, Repton scored a goal very late in the half, followed by 2 quick goals early in the second-half. Shortly after that, EG received a green card which meant that they had it all to do. Despite being a player down EG managed to pull a goal back through Tilly, however EG's efforts were not enough as a late goal from Repton gave them a rather flattering 5-2 win.

Next up were Clifton Robinsons. Again EG started strongly and went in 1-0 up at half time after another goal from Amber. Rosie added a second goal early on in the second half and with EG playing well there seemed to be only one winner. However with only 8 minutes remaining Clifton pulled one goal back, and scored an equaliser shortly afterwards. We still had a few chances with short corners near the end, but the result ended in a 2-2 draw.

On the second day East Grinstead started off with a make or break match against Southgate who had just drawn with Repton. A fierce contest ensued which was reflected in the number of cards shown. The only surprise was that somehow we got more cards than Southgate?! Southgate scored after only 3 minutes but an equalising penalty corner from Tilly right at the end of the first half gave EG real hope. However this was dashed early on in the second half with another 2 quickfire Southgate goals putting us on the back foot. Despite Rosie scoring from a penalty corner with 6 minutes left we couldn't quite get anything from a match we had to win.

Our final match against Wakefield showed exactly what EG were capable of. An early penalty scored by Rosie and a goal from Claudie meant we went into the break 2-0. Quickfire goals early in the second half from Amber, Claudie's second goal and Eloise finished the match as a contest and with only a late consolation goal from Wakefield we won our final match 5-1.

Unfortunately EG didn't progress past the pool stages but the whole tournament was a tight affair. Clifton who we outplayed in the pool stages scored in the last few seconds to draw against Repton to make the semi-finals, and Repton themselves went on to retain their title.

Thanks to the squad of Sehran Wright (GK), Amy Wickham, Rosie Hope, Katie Driver, Amber Buggins, Zoe Mitchell, Tilly Gough, Eloise Richards (c), Claudie Cooper, and especially for the expert coaching of Giles Dakin and the management of Georgie Richards. 

EG U16 Girls.

The 16's tournament was held in Aldersley, and follows the same format as the 18's with teams needing to finish in the top 2 in their pools to qualify for the semi finals.

East Grinstead began their campaign against Cheltenham in high spirits, but conceded an early goal and then lost Sienna Keijsers to a hamstring injury. Despite that they fought back to a 3-1 lead just after half time, as Matilda Hamilton completed a 6 minute hat-trick. The match twisted again as the Gloucestershire side were able to regroup, scoring 3 unanswered goals to take the points 3-4.

Game 2 was against Thirsk, and the mood remained optimistic. EG jumped out to a 2-0 half-time lead through Matilda Hamilton, subsequently lost to broken fingers, and Lily Florida-James. Thirsk pulled one back, but EG hung on to claim their first victory, and sit third in the standings overnight.

Two players down, and an early start Sunday morning against reigning champions Repton. Captain Cyd Fenwick scored for a 4th minute EG lead, and the girls were in with a chance. Repton hit back with a flurry of goals, piling up a 4-1 lead in just a 3 minute span. Remi Briggs pulled one back just before half time, but the eventual champions added another 2 in the second half, and EG were defeated 2-6.

EG headed into their final game against Harleston Magpies in 4th, needing a win and then favourable results in the other matches. Sadly it wasn't to be, as the Norfolk side ran out 3-0 winners, and EG were eliminated.

Repton continued undefeated, overturning Harleston 2-0 in the final to complete a double in the U18/16 competitions.

Although a disappointing result, they had a fantastic time, and it was a great experience, especially in bringing up the confidence of players new to Indoor Hockey.

East Grinstead - Isabel Field (GK), Remi Briggs, Emma Smyth, Lily Florida-James, Matilda Hamilton, Boau-Lilly Shepherd, Bea Chappell, Olivia Gibson, Cydney Fenwick (c), Charlotte Walker, Siena Keijsers.

Coach Sophie Hollis, Manager David Fenwick.