35^th Inter Prep Schools Six-a-Side Hockey Tournament

Hurst Prep hosted its 35^th six-a-side on Friday18^th March. As luck would have it the weather did not shine on this traditional end of season festival but despite that some fine hockey was seen from many of the boys attending. In particular there was some remarkable goalkeeping and it was good to see some real expertise in this very specialist position. It all went to prove that prep school hockey is thriving and long may it be allowed to do so.

The tournament followed the time honoured pattern with two round robin groups and then the final stages between the winners and runners up of each group. There was strong hockey in Group A with Ardingly Prep coming out on top and deservedly so for they had the skill. Hurst had a sound game against them and really came alive against Seaford College but some slowness in the pass and in defence proved their undoing against St Bede's in their final game. Ed Firth did score some fine goals and had some excellent combined moves with Jack Troak, whose engine never faltered.

St Andrew's and Holmewood House came through from the second group to set up the final stages. St Andrew's upset the Ardingly machine while Holmewood were convincing against St Bede's in the end. The final was a well contested single goal affair and Holmewood ran out as the deserved winners in the end.