1:34pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010
OLD LOUGHTONIANS Hockey Club’s under 18s are the finest team in the country after they triumphed in the final of the National Indoor Club Championship.
The Chigwell-based side thumped Beeston for six in the final at the weekend, as they won the title in style.
The club had cemented their place in the final with an inspired display of hockey in the group stages, before edging a titanic battle against Havant on penalty flicks.
And they found their best form once again when it mattered. The opening exchanges were tense, as both sides felt their way into the contest. But an outstanding piece of skill from Harry Kempe saw Loughts draw first blood.
The strike seemed to settle the nerves and the team quickly found their stride. Kempe doubled his and the team’s tally and there were further goals from Liam Peoples and Harry Martin before half-time.
The game looked up, and Matt Lewis put the result beyond doubt with a powerful fifth, and there was a fitting end for the excellent Kempe, who completed his hat-trick by drilling home after rounding the keeper.
Perry Foster seemed unbeatable in the Loughts goal but his clean sheet was wiped out with a late consolation goal from Beeston.
However, nothing was going to stop Old Loughts in this form, and they were crowned deserved winners.
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