The weather worries a couple of days before were luckily just a rumour as the sun was out to help make a great day of hockey for well over 300 junior players joining Luton for their annual tournament. (Shefford and Sandy HC, Aylesbury, Tring, Bedford, Letchworth and Leighton Buzzard) The Under 8s, Under 10s and Under 12s all in action.

Under 8s won 2 games against Leighton Buzzard and Bedford, a draw against Aylesbury but lost to Bedford and Tring and the eventual winners Letchworth. With Suzanne Starkey in charge of the team the young players Sophie Starkey, Georgia Small, Yaminah and Halimah Olatunji, Cavan Shadbolt-Mackay, James Whiting and Phoebe all again playing some great hockey and teamwork.

Under 10s won their games against Bedford and Leighton Buzzard, a draw against Letchworth and lost to Tring. This took them to the semi-finals but they narrowly missed out to Shefford and Sandy 1-2.
Well done to players Alfie Sharpe, Seb Singh Brar, Ryan Siddons, Angelo Katsianis, Goerge Dobson, Kate Starkey and Luke Whiting all being looked after by Iain Starkey and Matt Dobson.

Under 12s 7 a side in the afternoon, the players showing confidence in their skills both on and off the ball. They played 4 matches and coming third in their group with 1 win (against Aylesbury) with goals from Thomas Quested finding space to squeeze it past the keeper and a goal from Emma Halsey from a break up the right wing. Two 0-0 draws (Tring and Bedford) and a loss against Leighton Buzzard, but a close one at 2-1 so just missing out on the semi-finals. New player Trinity Evans showed her determination and potential, with solid defending by Lauren Kempson. James Small and Nathan Wise both taking up positions in defence or goalkeeping and some superb saves from both players. Ellie Shadbolt-Mackay and Farouq Olatunji showing strong attacks in midfield and making some good passes into the D scoring zone.

The whole team got together to make some excellent defensive and attacking short corners, doing exactly as Julie Halsey and Iain Starkey told them to both save the goal and make some good shots on goal.

More photo in our picture album - http://www.lutontownhc.com/photos/652377/17186147.html