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u10 Surrey Tournament

u10 Surrey Tournament

Graeme Law1 Mar 2017 - 09:20
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Heartbreak and pride at the Surrey Tournament

Reigate entered two teams into the Surrey Tournament, a 28 team event played in arctic conditions better suited to ice-hockey.

Reigate got off to a cracking start in the morning’s plate competition. They dominated the game, winning 3-0: great solo goals from Jacob and Isaac, and a thunderous strike from Charlie from a slick short corner were no more than we deserved. We then lost a tight match of few chances 1-0 against a strong Old Cranleighs team, which meant the pressure was on for our final group game. In a frustrating match we had our worst game of the tournament, and despite again dominating, we were unable to create any real chances. Thankfully the 0-0 draw was sufficient for the team to progress through to the knock-out stages.

The quarter final against Oxted was another tense affair - but Mark, Henrik and Ben were rock-solid in defence, and allowed the opposition little chance to test Isaac in goal. Ollie and Charlie’s marauding runs on the wings, and tenacious play from Jack and Owen created a number of chances, but we were unable to get past a keeper in inspired form - both in normal time and the 5 minute golden goal period.

So to a penalty shoot out. No shortage of brave volunteering from the boys, and our attempts on goal were hard and true. But unfortunately only Jacob scored, with their keeper saving three (more through luck than judgement) and one was harshly ruled out for a technical infringement. So although Isaac performed utter heroics, only letting in one of the first four, he could do nothing to stop the fifth penalty, and Oxted progressed to the semi’’s in heartbreaking circumstances.

But it was then immediately on to the cup competition, with the Reigate team finding themselves in a very tough group.

In the opening game against Guildford, the team took time to get going and were not at their fluent best - unsurprising given that this was the first time they had played together. 1-0 down with time running out, our persistence finally told - a shot from Jacob was diverted in by Toby, and we’d managed to salvage a draw.

The game against the Wayfarers was a far more positive and co-ordinated performance, and goals from Sam and Toby gave us a well-earned 2-0 win. The next game was against an Epsom team who were looking very strong. But Reigate upped their game, and played magnificently. In a thrilling, pulsating encounter, both sides had chances, and the game could easily have gone either way. In the end a 1-1 draw, Sam scoring for Reigate, was most probably a fair result, albeit their umpire made some “interesting” calls.

Our final group game was against Surbiton, who appeared to believe it would be a walk-over. And when Suribiton scored a rebound after a great save from Thomas early in the game, their confidence was rapidly becoming arrogance. But the Reigate team yet again proved what fighters they are, and a sweeping counter-attack was coolly finished by Toby. And when Sam scored after a scintillating run through the heart of their defence, Surbiton looked utterly shell-shocked to be 2-1 down. Surbiton then laid siege to the Reigate goal, and eventually equalised from a well-taken shot that Thomas could do nothing about. The game continued to flow from end to end: Toby had a thunderous shot somehow kept out, whilst at the other end the Reigate players laid their bodies on the line to stop Surbiton scoring - sometimes literally. Somehow now further goals were scored, and a fabulous game finished 2-2.

Despite being undefeated in their four games, too many draws meant that Reigate didn’t gain enough points to qualify for the semi-finals.

Whilst both Plate and Cup teams were enormously disappointed to finish in such heart-wrenching circumstances, all the players should be incredibly proud of their performances. Demonstrating skill, courage, team-work and an incredible never-say-die attitude, they proved that they were more than a match for any team in the county. The future of the club looks very exciting indeed….

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