Friday 4th May 2007

This year’s RAF Careers Welsh schoolboys finals produced some thrilling hockey in closely contested games on a day that was supported by good quality umpiring, efficient organisation, bright sunshine all day and even the presence of the RAF, whose fighter planes flew overhead twice in the morning!

The Under 12s was won by Olchfa School from Swansea who convincingly beat Ysgol y Creuddyn (3-0) from North Wales, Ysgol Tywyn from West Wales (3-0) and then their Cardiff rivals, Ysgol Glan Taf (3-1). Ysgol Tywyn finished as runners-up and continue to improve on their second appearance at Finals Day and in Edward Iffla, they have a player destined to put on the red shirt of Wales in the future. Daniel Kyriakides, the Olchfa captain, played his role in leading his side and was ably supported by a good all-round team effort from his other players.

The Under 14 competition again saw the South Wales teams from Fitzalan School, Cardiff and Olchfa School, Swansea, overcome their north Walian opponents from Ysgol y Creuddyn, Colwyn Bay and Rydal Penrhos, also in Colwyn Bay. After Fitzalan and Olchfa had both defeated their north Wales rivals, they squared up to each other in a tremendous final game that saw Olchfa take the lead only for Fitzalan to equalise three times before Olchfa scored the winner with 2 minutes to go – the 4-3 result reflected the marvellous contest of this final. Dale Hutchinson of Fitzalan worked ceaselessly and carved gaps in the Olchfa defence with some tremendous running but he was matched by Olchfa’s star player, Charles Lowan, who exerted a calm and composed presence in midfield whilst also creating the bulk of his team’s scoring chances.

In the Under 16 competition, Olchfa were faced by Rydal Penrhos who were making their first appearance in the finals. Whilst Olchfa were captained by Welsh international, James Kyriakides, and also had 5 players in the South Wales regional squad, they were met by a side who had no stars (although two of their players were from Germany) and played with enormous commitment and team spirit. Shortly after half-time, Rydal scored to narrow the deficit to 1-2 and even after Olchfa had scored twice more, they came back to 4-2 before Olchfa scored a fifth to seal victory.

Olchfa U16

Whitchurch lifted the Under 18 trophy by defeating Eirias School from Colwyn Bay but the early signs were that Eirias would run out easy winners as Welsh international, Mark Duxbury, drove through to set up 2 goals for the north Walians. However, Whitchurch had a better second half as Chris Fido took control of midfield and soon they pulled a goal back but it was not until 5 minutes from the end that Whitchurch equalised. During the RAF’s period of sponsorship, finals are decided by golden goal extra time and not by penalties, but unlike soccer, the number of players is gradually reduced beginning with 8 and not 11 aside. With 7 seconds of the 5 minutes sudden death remaining, Whitchurch scored a controversial goal where some brilliant umpiring, that allowed Whitchurch the advantage, led to the winner being scored.

Whitchurch U18

Eirias U18

The day saw 2 records broken – never before has one school been the victor in more than 2 competitions but Olchfa lifted the U-12/14 and 16 trophies after an absence from finals day of 14 years. Also, no school had ever won the Under 18 cup for 4 years in succession and Whitchurch achieved this on May 4th 2007. This year’s competition has owed much to the work of two individuals, Jon Green and Wyn Pritchard, who have co-ordinated all the earlier rounds of the competitions in their south and north Wales areas, respectively. Their involvement has enabled children from many different schools to play hockey, many for the first time, and their commitment has driven the competition forward each year.

Chris Despres (Welsh Schools Organiser)

U-12 Schools

U-14 Schools

U-16 Schools

Rydal Penrhos (N Wales) 2 v 5 Olchfa School (S Wales)

U-18 Schools

Eirias School (N Wales) 2 v 3 Whitchurch High School (S Wales)

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