ON top of the success of Grant High School’s Open girls knockout hockey team, the Year 8/9 boys also reaped rewards and returned home from the state school finals with the championship honours.
The team of 13 – like the girls – had not played or trained together previously, which was a credit to their achievement.
Coach Meg Beck was impressed by the side’s ability to work together, especially since many in the team had competed in the Open boys the day before and were already tired.
With just a three-team competition, Grant played Henley High School first, where it recorded a 5-0 win to set a good tone for the carnival.
Beck said the standout of the game was a goal converted from a short corner set play.
That raised some confidence and allowed the boys to bang through some more quick goals.
“Credit needs to go to the Henley goal keeper who saved many more shots on goal,” Beck said.
“Surprisingly – as we discovered
after the game – he had never played hockey before.”
The second game was much tougher, as the team faced eventual grand final opponent St Marks College.
“This was always going to be a tough game,” Beck said.
“It was made harder when the sun came out.
“I discovered that Mount Gambier boys do not run well in the sun.
“We appeared to be the stronger side however could not convert a goal and the game ended in a nil-all draw.”
However, the result was enough to maintain top spot in the minor round standings, before a 30-minute break was had before the decider, once again against St Marks.
“With a few positional changes and an attacking strategy we took to the field with winning in mind,” Beck said.
“This time the boys were able to convert four goals against St Marks’ zero.”
Team captain Angus Langsmith converted the final goal with just three seconds left on the clock and the side celebrated the solid win.
Beck was most impressed by how the team both performed and behaved throughout the trip.
“A thank you also needs to go to Jay Lines and Darcy Hunt who came on the trip even though they had never played hockey before,” Beck said.
“It is very pleasing to note that during the whole trip the boys represented Grant High School with the utmost respect and it was even more pleasing to bring home the trophy.”
