National Plate Final - Charterhouse v Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood
For the first time Charterhouse 1st XI qualified for the final of the England Hockey National Plate final following a convincing 9-3 semi-final win against Worksop College (Notts). The final took place on Thursday 26 April at The Lea Valley Hockey and Tennis Stadium, home of England Hockey. Playing on the new pitch that will be used for the Women’s World Cup later this summer was a real privilege and the 1st XI did themselves proud with a characteristic display of disciplined and energetic hockey. The opposition, Merchant Taylor’s School (Northwood) have been runners up in the same competition in each of the last two seasons and only knocked out of the National Cup competition by the all-conquering Whitgift. This would be a tough test.
However, our semi-final win gave the side a lot of confidence and built on Plate wins against Seaford College (5-1), Reigate Grammar School (8-1), St. George’s College Weybridge (3-0) and in the quarter-final; Peter Symonds College (2-1). In fact, the 1st XI have scored more goals (68) and won more matches (11) than any season in the past ten years.
Charterhouse 1st XI Hockey Team with Nick Beasant (Director of Sport) and Dan Fox (Director of Hockey)
The game started off at a real pace and Charterhouse pressed high up the pitch. A quick turnover and ball into the circle led to a penalty corner and Raph Boulanger (P) scored his 12th goal of the season with a low drag flick to the keeper’s right in the third minute. Thereafter Merchant Taylor’s grew into the game and dominated much of the first twenty minutes with some aggressive ball winning and skillful midfield play, scoring a penalty corner of their own after 14 minutes to draw level. Neither side scored again before half time but the speed of play hinted at more goals to come. It did not take long.
First Merchant Taylor’s scored in the 39th minute from open play before Charterhouse countered and scored an equaliser within 60 seconds; Sam Duffen (S) carried down the right and Ross Fordham (W) finished from close range; a superb goal. Both sides had further chances and Duffen had a goal ruled out that could easily have stood on a different day, meanwhile Merchant Taylor’s hit the post at the other end and pressed hard for a third. In the 53rd minute the pressure told and a penalty corner was upgraded to a penalty stroke, which Taylor’s scored past the excellent Elliot Clarke (W) in goal. However, Charterhouse pegged the North London side back once again with a brilliant finish from Kai Magee (S), who maintained his record of scoring in every round of the Plate (and an astonishing 19 goals in his final seven games for the School) with a reverse stick finish worthy of an Olympic legacy venue.
With just six minutes on the clock and the game heading for a penalty shoot-out Merchant Taylor’s pressure in the attacking half paid off and a fine reverse stick finish found its way in at the far post leaving the score at 4-3. In spite of a terrific effort in the last five minutes Charterhouse were unable to find another equaliser. Alex Ford (D) and Charlie Short (P) looked tireless in attack, Tom Walton (V) delivered some great balls into the circle and Rollo Payne (D), Toby Duffen (S), Fordham and Max Say (B) played well all game in midfield.
Also worth noting is the superb individual and team defence. Boulanger dominated as the spare player at the back. Ed Henderson (B) never missed a tackle and Will Briggs’ (V) work rate and threat in attack and defence made him very difficult to play against. The team were led superbly throughout by skipper Harry Gilbey (W). Reaching the final of the National Plate having lost seven of last year’s squad is a superb achievement and the team played very well against a talented Merchant Taylor’s side. With eight returning players next year and strong 2nd XI and U15 and U16 squads we’re determined to keep getting better, enjoying our hockey and competing with the very best schools in the country.
