Over the Christmas and New Year week, Knole Park’s juniors had the opportunity to play at the Olympic 2012 legacy Copper Box Arena in the indoorhockeyUK Championships. Knole Park had a fantastic week as they picked up four gold medals and one silver over the various age group tournaments.
The U12 Girls led the gold rush on Day 1 as they won all three group matches. A 3-0 win against Wimbledon, 2-0 against Braintree, and 2-0 against City of York. This put the girls into the Championships playoffs where they beat Saffron Walden 2-1 and drew 1-1 with Cambridge City. In the Final the girls were incredible as they beat Canterbury 5-1 to seal the title! Goals from Erin (2), Flo, Olivia W, and Sylvie. Player of the Tournament Erin was also the top scorer for Knole Park with four goals. Elisa, Olivia W, and Sylvie all picked up three goals.
The U12 Boys finished 10th overall in a competition of “what ifs”! The boys started slowly with a 0-1 loss against the run of play with Cambridge City, before drawing 0-0 with Saffron Walden. In match three the boys put in their performance of the tournament as they beat Old Georgians 1-0. Henry with the finish. Old Georgians went on to finish fourth overall. The team were then drawn into the Trophy where they beat Cheltenham 2-0 (Jude, Henry), and JK Hockey 1-0 (Lucas), but then lost to bottom team Braintree 0-1 to end a frustrating day in 10th position.
The U16 Girls were in outstanding form throughout their tournament. In their opening match they beat Braintree 16-0. A double hat-trick from Biba, four from Summer giving Knole Park the perfect start. In match two it was London Wayfarers. Biba was on fire again as she netted twice, Summer, Evie S, and Bella with the others. In match three the girls played the Hockey Mentors Project. In a close match up the girls ended up conceding with the last play of the match for a disappointing 4-4 draw. Biba (2) and Summer (2) getting the Knole Park goals. The girls reacted in the perfect way after this match and registered a 10-0 win over Wimbledon and a 10-1 win versus Cheltenham. With these wins the girls had qualified for the final against Surbiton. In the performance of the day the girls were outstanding as they ran out 5-0 winners and won the gold! Player of the Tournament Biba scored a hat-trick, which took her goals total to 19 for the day. Captain Summer and fellow forward Evie S with the other two goals.
On Day 2, it was the U14 Girls turn. The girls played very well in the group stages winning 1-0 against Canterbury (Evie W), 2-0 versus Wimbledon (Evie W and Daisy), and 6-0 against North Staffordshire (Charlotte B 2, Emily B, Georgie, Evie W, and Daisy). Unfortunately, in the second half of the tournament is where the fluid goal-scoring stuttered as the girls only managed to score three more goals (Daisy, Georgie, and Evie W) in 4-1, 3-1 and 2-1 defeats to finish fourth overall.
The Women’s 1st team were up next and they truly outstanding from start to finish. In match one they played last season’s winners JK Hockey. In a close game the team won 5-2 with two goals from Lottie, and singles from Amelie, Biba, and Josefina. The team then put 17 past Braintree as the girls ran riot in front of goal. The quality of the team meant that the goals were shared around as Biba (4), Amelie (3), Annabel (3), Evie S (3), Lottie (2) and Josefina (2) all scored. Against Chelmsford the girls won 6-0, before beating the Hockey Mentors Project 5-4 to qualify for the final. In a rematch of last year’s final against JK Hockey, where Knole Park lost, the team were even more determined to go one better. In the performance of the day, the girls won 7-1! Goals from Josefina (2), Amelie (2), Annabel, Biba, and Player of the Tournament Lottie sealed the win and the title! Josefina top scored for the team with 11 goals.
On the final day of play, the U16 Boys took to the court and were fantastic throughout. The boys registered big wins against Hertford (6-1), Braintree (14-0), Teddington (6-0) and Cheltenham (9-1). This set up a semi-final against JK Hockey. In a sublime performance the boys ran in seven unanswered goals before JK registered their first goals. In a comprehensive performance the boys won 8-2 and with it a place in the final where they would face the Hockey Mentors Project. In a very tough game the boys were excellent, but it’s the fine margins that count in finals. Moritz scored two goals either side of half-time to make it 3-2, but the opposition were too strong, and the final score was 6-2. The boys can be exceptionally proud of their silver medals as they were once again awarded the top ranked club side in the competition. Isaac was awarded the Player of the Tournament as he netted 18 goals for the team. Scorers: Isaac (18), Moritz (15), Mack (4), William (3), Reggie (3), and Noah.
The U18 Girls were in the final competition at the Copper Box. The girls were looking to retain the title they won last season and started in the perfect way as they beat last season’s runners up JK Hockey 2-1 in match one. Goals from Jess and Annabel. Against Canterbury the girls won 5-1 (Lottie 2, Annabel, Jess, and Josefina), Chelmsford 7-1 (Amelie 2, Jess, Annabel, Josefina, Mackenzie, Polly), and Wimbledon 5-1 (Josefina 3, Annabel 2). This set up the final against Surbiton where the girls were incredible! Lottie roofed two drag flicks for a 2-0 lead. Annabel made it 3-1, Amelie 4-1 and Lottie completed her hat-trick and the win for 5-2 and the title. Lottie was once again awarded the Player of the Tournament however any the girls could have won this accolade as it was a brilliant team performance.
This weekend HC Knole Park open 2023 with a very busy weekend! The Men’s 1s have their two rearranged matches from December to play. In the league they’re playing Gillingham Anchorians 2s, and in the Cup it’s Surbiton Sparticans. The Women’s 1s are travelling up to Nottingham for weekend one of the Indoor National League Division 1 Championships with matches against Holcombe, Reading, Guildford, and Cambridge City. The Women’s 2s are also in EH Cup action with Spencer HC coming to town. The U14 Boys and Girls are both playing Marden Russets.