Haydn Snow
Chairman,
Melton Hockey Club.
The tournament started at 9:00 AM with an Under 9 friendly tournament involving teams from South Leicester YHC, Rutland, Leicester and two teams from Melton. The emphasis was on participation and enjoyment and at the end of their session all participants received a winner's medal.
Next on was the girls tournament with teams from SLYHC, Rutland, Charnwood and Sileby, Lutterworth, Ashby Red Sox, and Melton taking part. After some very competitive play Ashby Red Sox were winners of the U11 group, sponsored by Edwards and Edwards Consultants, and South Leicester YHC won the U13 group sponsored by S and M Oils. The U15 girls competition was very close with Rutland edging out Melton by 1 point to take the Nick White Shield.
The boys tournament was well supported with teams from Leicester, Loughborough Town, South Leicester, Coalville, Loughborough Carillion, Leicester Westleigh, Ashby, Rutland and Melton. The U13 boys competition, sponsored by Edwards and Edwards Consultants, was very close with Leicester just edging out Rutland. Rutland were clear winners in the U13, sponsored by King Edward VII School, and U15 categories with the U15s recording 5 straight wins to take the DJ Sports and Fitness Trophy.
The winners received medals and a trophy which will be played for each year. All those who took part received a certificate. DE Photos took a large number of action and team photos throughout the day. The day was a real success and this was due to the number of players and parents from Melton hockey club getting involved in a variety of ways. Melton provided the umpires, with some guests, excellently coordinated by Matt Snow. Mr and Mrs Thompson provided a barbeque as well as selling cakes made by parents. The main organisation of the day was down to tournament directors Natalie and Danny Willcock who did a superb job. All in all the day was a credit to Leicestershire hockey in general.
