Alton Hockey Club’s under-ten boys’ team won England Hockey’s In2Hockey regional tournament at the finals in Oxford.

Four counties – Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire – were competing for the trophy.

The Alton squad came out all guns blazing in the qualifying rounds and picked up big wins against Marlow and Reading. The group matches featured excellent teamwork from every player and Alton only conceded one goal.

With confidence high, Alton faced Winchester. A convincing win took Alton into the final against a strong Oxford squad playing on home ground. The match was a draw and went to penalty flicks. Alton held their nerve and were crowned the winners. The win was celebrated with roars and tears from very nervous parents.

Alton’s under-ten boys had qualified for the regional tournament after progressing from the Hampshire tournament. Alton faced Portsmouth, Havant, Trojans, New Forest, Fareham, Andover, Winchester and Haslemere. Alton were runners-up after a nail-biting final against Winchester which went down to penalty flicks and saw Winchester triumph – but both teams went through to the regional finals.

Alton Hockey Club is a community club with training for under-eights and under-tens on Saturday mornings, and individual team training for older children throughout the week. The club would love any junior players interested in joining to come along and give it a go. The new season will begin at the start of September.

Anyone who would like to join Alton Hockey Club should visit its website at https://www.altonhockeyclub.co.uk/ for further details.