Spectators at Loughborough University were treated to a fantastic opening day of the Hockey Competition at the School Games Finals 2017. Action got underway in both the Boys’ and Girls’ competitions, with 15 goals scored across the four opening day matches.

Boys

England Red 4 v 0 England White

The Boys in red from England put four goals past their England White counterparts. Jack Stubbings opened the scoring on 13 minutes, with Ben Butler Felton adding to the tally before half time to make it two nil. Two more goals in the final quarter form Charlie Smith and Thomas Russell added some real shine to the result for England Red.

England Blue 4-2 Ulster

An early goal from Max Liebenschutz- Jones gave England Blue a one-nil lead after quarter one. Owen McElhinney equalised on 19 minutes for Ulster, before Ethan Hoddle put the Blues back ahead on 27 minutes.  A second Ulster equaliser, this time from captain Fergus Gibson, kept the match finely balanced. However, a second-half brace from Ellis Owen secured England Blue’s victory in their opening match.

Girls

England White 1-4 England Red

A brace from Robyn Bentley and Olivia Back got England red off to a flying start in the girls’ competition. Back scored two goals in three minutes to give England Red a lead, which was added do by Bentley. Lydia Sanders pulled one back for England White on 38 minutes, but it proved to be only consolation as England Red restored their three goal cushion on 42 minutes with Robyn Bentley netting her second and the final goal of the match.

Ulster 0-1 England Blue

After a very evenly fought contest throughout, it was late heartbreak for Ulster as Lucy McEvoy snatched a winner for England Blue on 60 minutes.

Live standings can be found here https://englandhockey.altiusrt.com/

Friday’s fixtures are below, which see Scotland enter the fray.

 Live streaming of Pitch 1 matches are available via the school games website

http://schoolgamesfinals.org/watchlive/