The 27th edition of one of the largest junior hockey festivals in the UK saw 850 children in a record entry of 86 teams compete in 11 leagues over the weekend at Cokethorpe School. The festival, hosted by Oxford Hockey Club attracted teams from as far afield as Banbridge in Northern Ireland to Tunbridge Wells in Kent. New visitors London Wayfarers also put up a strong challenge in three of the age groups, although Cheltenham was the stand out club winning three of the leagues they entered whilst Tunbridge Wells’ Under 12 girls won both their competitions.

However, the Oxford clubs faired well with Oxford winning the Under 10’s and picking up the second spot with the Under 8’s and Under 12 boys whilst Oxford Hawks won the Under 14 Girls League A. Oxfordshire clubs Wallingford and Bicester also picked up winners medals in the Under 8 B League and Under 10 B League respectively.

The festival aims to provide competitive hockey in a friendly atmosphere outside of the England Hockey programme and provides a useful practice for those age groups involved in the In2Hockey national competition with an opportunity to play clubs from outside their own county.

Chairman John Dykes said ‘To see so many children having fun playing hockey is why we do this. The smiles on their faces are worth more than all the winner's medals combined’

RESULTS

Under 8 League A: 1st Eastcote A, 2nd Oxford A, 3rd Cirencester A
Under 8 League B: 1st Wallingford B, 2nd Thame, 3rd Oxford B
Under 10 League A: 1st Oxford A, 2nd Cheltenham A, 3rd Cirencester A
Under 10 League B: 1st Bicester, 2nd Cheltenham C, 3rd Eastcote B
Under 12 Girls League A: 1st Tunbridge Wells Otters, 2nd Wallingford, 3rd London Wayfarers
Under 12 Girls League B: 1st Tunbridge Wells Bears, 2nd Thame, 3rd Cirencester B
Under 12 Boys League A: 1st Cheltenham A, 2nd Oxford, 3rd Wycombe Under
Under 12 Boys League B: 1st Cheltenham B, 2nd Wycombe, 3rd Eastcote B
Under 14 Girls League A: 1st Oxford Hawks, 2nd Cirencester 3rd Cheltenham Under
Under 14 Girls League B: 1st Cirencester B, 2nd Bicester, 3rd Wallingford B
Under 14 Boys League A: 1st Cheltenham, 2nd London Wayfarers, 3rd Oxford Hawks