U12 Boys Finish in 3rd Place

Sils Boys played in the County Tournament in (generally) glorious sunshine on Sunday with a very strong side. Only missing Paul Savage and Harry Bell from a squad that contained players that have regularly played Lions and/or County all season and confidence was high.

In uncharacteristic fashion, Sils came out of the blocks all guns blazing in the first game - beating Atherstone 6-0, with James Wilson and Oliver Cooper pulling the strings in midfield and Matt Bowley and Ben Watson also providing goals within the win.

The next game, based on the results to-date, was going to be critical, and this time the defence was the real backbone of the team, with Ruben Jogi, Sam Barton and James Gayton, supported by Harry Bray in goal, putting in plenty of timely tackles and great saves, both from open play and penalty corners, whilst at the other end Henry Levenger and Yusuf Ahmed supported the attacking forces from the previous match to help the side score two good team goals, to see Sils beat Leamington 2-0.

The Boys' third match was against the eventual joint winners, and whilst they lost 3-0, two of these goals were scored in the last few minutes as the boys tired, and Sutton Coldfield were definitely threatened by the attacking play from the Sils at times.

With Leamington drawing with Stratford 2nd team at the same time, Sils were all but guaranteed progression to the semi-finals; but qualified in style, with another fine 3-0 victory.

This pitted Sils against the other joint winners Rugby & EW, in the semi-final, and whilst they lost 4-1, they were the first (and one of only two sides) to score a goal against REW. This loss meant that whilst Sutton and REW played out a draw in the final (and chose to share the title), Sils took on Hampton in the 3rd/4th play-off.

Sils scored early, and then defended for their lives! Harry Bray made save after save, and Hampton were unlucky not to score more than the equaliser they got, as they hit the posts 3 times. After extra-time and sudden death, the score was still level, and so it went to strokes. Some were scored by both teams, and some were missed/saved, and so it came to Hampton's last stroke taker - Harry Bray once again impressing with a save to leave Captain James Wilson to step up and slot the ball home in the bottom corner to take 3rd place for the jubilant Silhillians!

Well done boys - the future looks very bright with the talent in this team on show.