Wycombe become England champs
10:28am Friday 16th May 2008
HIGH Wycombe's U15s were crowned National Hockey Club Cup Champions last Sunday - completing a fantastic season for the club.
The pressure was on them after the club's seniors won a league and cup double, the reserves romped to their league title and the U14s won the Home Counties Colts Trophy for the first time in their history.
But the U15s revelled in it as they topped the lot by winning a national title.
The all-conquering side battled through the rounds to earn their berth at the finals weekend alongside hosts Canterbury, favourites Beeston, and Deeside Ramblers.
They suffered frustration and two dropped points in their opening match against Canterbury, twice taking the lead through Fin Potter and Chas Richardson, before being pegged back for a 2-2 draw.
A 7am jog the next day sharpened the minds though and their defence was faultless as they beat Beeston 1-0 with a first half Andy Blood goal.
That meant they went into their final game against Deeside knowing victory would give them the title.
Top scorer Charlie Olley set them on the way with his ninth goal of the cup campaign but Deeside hit back to level before the break.
But Wycombe continued to create numerous chances with Richardson, Potter and Liam Ansell all going close.
And they got their noses back in front with eight minutes remaining when Richardson played in Sam Burroughs, who held off a couple of challenges before smashing the ball in.
The goal knocked the stuffing out of Deeside and Wycombe took full advantage with Olley making the game safe with his second of the game.
It was the first time Wycombe have entered the competition and 11 of the squad had been involved in the U14s triumph just a week earlier.