U17 FUTURES CUP
By Colin Pike
Surbiton Hockey Club was well represented at the Futures Cup in St. Albans from 21-24 August.
Thomas Smith and Olly Witts were in the Wessex Leopards Under-17 Boys squad which finished fourth after losing a seven goal thriller 4-3 to Saxon Tigers, Witts scoring.
Witts also helped the Leopards to a 2-1 win over Mercia Lynx in their first pool game and was also on target in another high scoring match, drawing 4-4 with Caledonian Cougars.
Finn Cooper, Callum Smith and Max Anderson were all in the Mercia Lynx squad which finished joint fifth with Celtic Jaguars following a 1-1 draw.
After the Lynx defeat to the Leopards, Caledonian Cougars won 8-4 to win the pool and consign Lynx to the fifth place playoff. Anderson scored against the Cougars.
In the Under-17 Girls tournament, Lucy Clemmow and Monet Stuckey were in the Mercia Lynx squad which finished fourth. The Lynx beat the Celtic Jaguars 2-1 but lost 4-2 to Pennine Pumas. Only a shootout separated the Lynx from the Caledonian Cougars in the third place battle, Cougars sneaking home 3-2 after a 1-1 draw in normal time.
Mary Klugman was in the Wessex Leopards team which finished fifth. Leopards lost 3-0 to Saxon Tigers before drawing 1-1 with Caledonian Cougars. Celtic Jaguars were beaten 2-0 in the fifth place playoff.