Sutton Valence u13 boys have been crowned Kent’s County Hockey Champions for the second year in a row. The boys beat Gravesend Grammar School 9-0, Harvey Grammar School 1-0, Kent College Canterbury 3-0, St Edmunds 1-0, Simon Langton 3-0 and drew 1-1 with Langley Park.
Sutton Valence finished runners-up in the group on goal difference after finishing level with Langley Park on 16 points. They beat St Lawrence College 2-0 in the semi-final, qualifying for the regional championships. In the final, versus Langley Park, the score was 0-0 but Sutton Valence won after penalty strokes – a sudden death 7-6.
The Sutton Valence squad, coached by former GB player and head of hockey David Mathews and hockey coach Vince Wells, were crowned champions of Kent and now go through into the regional championships as top seed.
Headmaster Bruce Grindlay said: “This was a fabulous achievement by the whole team, many of whom were in last year’s winning squad. We look forward to further developing their talents and even more success.”
Presented with their medals and trophy during morning school assembly, the team comprised Finn Swaine (Laddingford), Sebastiann Lijesen (Sutton Valence), Alex Duckett (East Sutton), Sammy Blakeley (Kings Hill), Oliver Laird (Bredhurst), Max Savage (Sutton Valence), Louis Hillier (Cranbrook), Louis Ridge (Horsmonden) and Sam Allison (Pluckley).
