U13 hockey boys through to semi-final
posted 14 March 2007

Cookstown High School U13   5 v 1   Banbridge Academy U13

This was the boys’ most important match of the season so far. It was the quarter final of the Bannister Bowl against Banbridge. So far this season for the school the boys had played Banbridge twice and lost both times but this time a team which had before excluded Harkness, Rollins, Collins, McCammon and Black rose to the occasion and thrashed Banbridge playing brilliant hockey. Every player for Cookstown played very well and the boys gave 100%. The two teams started pretty well with both teams having a few chances. The impressive McWhirter made it 1-0 with a great finish before Sloan made it two. Black who had a fantastic game then ran with the ball through the Banbridge defence before being stick tackled badly from behind. This resulted in a penalty stroke which Millar scored flicking the ball into the right side of the net. Cookstown were now 3-0 up and were playing good passing hockey with Black and Collins causing havoc down the right side.

Banbridge came out firing and played attacking hockey. Cookstown were under pressure for the first time in the game when Banbridge scored to make it 3-1. Cookstown took the pressure and then struck back with goals from Black and then Millar finishing of a fantastic move. Cookstown could have made it more only for the Banbridge keeper who saved two Millar shots and then a Sloan drag flick destined for the top corner. The boys played very well and are on course for Cookstown’s first Bannister Bowl victory in the school’s history. The boys will now play Regent House in the semi final and the final will be held on Wednesday 21 st at Lisnagarvey.

Team: Reilly, McCammon, Rollins, McAllen, Robinson, Collins, Harkness, Sloan (Capt), Millar, McWhirter, Black, Vartabedian, Watt, Crawford, Elliott, Cheevers.