10-goal thriller to end the season

On a glorious spring day, the celebrations for Kettering Hockey Club continued when the young up and coming players in the Men's section got a chance to play a match with some more established players.

The previous record for age range was broken as there was 69 years between the oldest and youngest players on the pitch. All in all, around 50% of the players were under 16. Making their senior debuts were Charlie Hawkins and William Middleton, and both lads acquitted themselves very well. There was also a guest appearance from club stalwart Chris Randle.

The Blues had the better of the first half, going into the half-time break 3-0 up thanks to goals from Dan Carter, Tom Storey and Neil Manley. Archie Colwill had a storming match, seamlessly transitioning from defence into attack.

Randle swapped sides with Tim McDowell at half-time but the Blues continued to have the upper hand and extended their lead with further goals from Manley and Carter.

The Whites, marshalled by Nigel Parkes and Tony Heath, refused to give up and got back into the game when they were awarded a penalty stroke. Ethan Smart showed no sign of nerves as he put his shot into the top corner.

Ben Smith, a recent convert to full-back, was up and down the right-wing for the Whites in an assured display. He contributed towards a flurry of goals in the last quarter of the match with Smart exploiting the space he found himself in to complete his hat-trick. Mike Tanser also bagged a goal for the Whites before Manley restored a two-goal cushion for the Blues.

In the last action of the match, Smart once again stepped up to take a penalty but this time, goalkeeper Ray Norwood was able to make a comfortable save.

It was a great occasion to end the season and we all look forward to making more progress in season 2017-18.