DML Sports & Social Primary Mixed 6-a-side festival 2006
8th/9th June 2006, Marjons, Plymouth
Sponsored by the Evening Herald, Sports Match & Plymouth Sports Forum

See more photos in the gallery.
A detailed report with final tables and standings can be downloaded here (Microsoft Word, 1Mb).

Festival proves best yet in record breaking year

This year's Primary Mixed Hockey Festival organised by the Plymouth Hockey Development Group sponsored by the Evening Herald, Plymouth Sports Forum and Sports Match was hailed as the best yet by PHDG chairman Jamie Oxley.

46 teams and over 400 players took part in the action packed two day event held at the College of St Mark & St John. Basked in glorious sunshine a team of 44 volunteers and 2 international hockey stars, former Plymouth school boy Jon Bleby, and Jerome Goudie worked to ensure the event ran so smoothly.

Bleby and Goudie were fantastic role models for the game coaching over 400 players over the 2 days. The players really enjoyed the 25 minute sessions which is one of many attractions to the festival. This year a new hockey zone was introduced inside the college’s sports hall. The Hockey Zone provided players the chance to test their juggling skills and hockey agility on the new obstacle course. A great side show out of the sun they were also able to find out more information on junior hockey clubs or play some indoor hockey. The final attraction was an opportunity to rest their feet while watching international highlights on the big screen.

The level of play throughout the festival was the highest yet since the festival was first run in 2002. Stiff competition during the morning groups stages on both days lead to the knock out phase which produced some sparkling skills for the on looking spectators.

A record number of young umpires from 9 different schools aged 11-17 attended to officiate along side Marjon students. It was great to see young leaders gain experience at an event in which many have competed at in previous years.

Simon Fenwick schools and community development coordinator for the group was over the moon with the success of the whole event Fenwick said "It was the best yet, the feed back from the players and staff was outstanding which was great. The standard of play was certainly the highest with the support from Jon and Jerome and all the volunteers the reason why the vent is now regarded as the best primary schools sporting event in the calendar".

OPM Cup

This years competition produced a number of surprises with several new schools making it through to the later stages. In the quarter finals Tamerton Vale produced a fine performance to defeat a strong Bovey Tracey side 1-0 to join 2004 runners up Whitleigh and first time cup qualifiers Cathedral and North Prospect in the last four. In the semi finals Tamerton Vale defeated Cathedral 1-0 with Jo Hart scoring. Whitleigh and North Prospect were both unable to break through resulting in a penalty shoot out. Whitleigh held their nerve to win, Molly Taylor scoring the decisive goal.

The final was the best yet with fast flowing skilful hockey on show. Tamerton opened the scoring when Brenan Bone scored after a neat passing move to lead 1-0 at the break. In the second half Whitleigh created openings when girl player of the tournament Molly Taylor scored from close range. The winner was scored with two minutes left. Boy player of the tournament Andrew Parker ghosted in at the far post to deflect into score a second for Tamerton. The win caps a fine year for Tamerton after their boys team remained unbeaten winning the City finals in May. For a small school the result is testament to their teacher Jane Dowrick and coach Marjon Student Lewis Waitt.

In the Mixed Hockey Shield Langley scrapped into the final after defeating Widey Court 2-1 in a penalty shoot out joining Ermington 2-1 who won 2-1 against Kelly College Prep, Lucy Balchin and Marcus Richards, Henry Kisby scored the goal for Kelly. In the final Ermington proved too strong for Langley scoring twice, Ella Morley and Marcus Richards both on target.

In the PGSOB Plate Chaddlewood put their slow start behind them reaching the final after defeating Montpellier 3-0 in the semi final. Sam Tucker scoring a hat trick for Chaddlewood who faced Mary Deans in the final after they defeated Woodfield B 1-0, Matthew Corey the goal scorer. The final was full of drama, Sam Tucker scoring again for Chaddlewood only for Alfe Yearly scoring a penalty goal for Mary Deans. 1-1 after full time the plate was decided on penalty strokes. The decisive stroke was scored by Edward Hickey for Mary Deans to win the Plate competition.

Over the two days the annual skills competition was run with every pupil taking part at the same time. The four skills of passing, dribbling, juggling and ball lifts were tested. St Andrews (928) proved that practice is the key to winning the trophy 75 points ahead of Langley 853 and Tamerton Vale 3rd with 830 points.

The Plymouth Hockey Development Group would like to thank lead sponsors The Evening Herald, Sports Match, Plymouth Sports Forum, and DML Sports & Social along with Kelly College – Certificate Sponsors, Marjon Sport & Leisure, Red Rok and the Sir John Hunt and Plymstock SSCO Partnerships for all their support. The final thank you goes to all the volunteers from Marjon and the city clubs and young leaders from local schools who made the event such a success.

Results

Player awards
Boy Players Bernan Parker (Tamerton Vale) & Marcus Richards (Ermington)
Girl Players Molly Taylor (Whitleigh) & Sophie Murray (Langley)

Juggling– number of juggles in 1 minute
Boys: 1st Eddie Dann – St Andrews 207, 2nd Montana Attard – St Andrews 202, 3rd Tom Anning - Ermington 201.
Girls: 1st Abi Chown – St Andrews 189, 2nd Darcy Kelly – Compton 173, 3rd Taylor Mathews – Highfield 169.

Obstacle course
Boys: 1st Tom Anning (Ermington), 2nd Alf Dinnie(Bovey Tracey), 3rd William Johnson(Meavy)
Girls: 1st Rebecca May (Elburton), 2nd Emily Adams (Meavy) 3rd Lucy Balchin (Ermington)

PMHC Fair Play Award: Highfield Primary
Umpires from: Plymstock, Ivybridge, Sir John Hunt, Lipson, Plymouth High, Eggbuckland, John Kitto, South Dartmoor, Tavistock