DML Sports & Social Primary Mixed 6-a-side festival 2005
9th/10th June 2005, Marjons, Plymouth

The annual Primary Mixed Hockey festival in Plymouth just gets bigger and better every year. In its fourth year the Festival has established it’s self as the finest primary schools sporting event in the City and has become the largest event of its kind in the Country.

Linzi Newcombe Chaddlewwod school “this has been by far the best sports festival we have ever attended. The atmosphere was superb, very well organised, great fun. We loved the music, competitions and prizes alongside the hockey.”

Due to its size, this years event was held over two days at Marjon. 48 teams competed in the festival for three different titles. Alongside the matches players received coaching from current England and GB hockey player Jon Peckett.

Plymouth Hockey Group Chairman said “we are very proud of this event as it gives every player a chance to gain something from the festival. It is more than just a tournament with so much else going on over the two days”. Development Coordinator for Hockey in the City Simon Fenwick has done a fine job organising such a fabulous event. So many players, parents, teachers and volunteers love the atmosphere of the festival.

Rebecca Rowe, young umpire said “ I had an amazing time umpiring at the hockey festival, I really really really enjoyed it!! It was a great day and a great experience for me”

The support given by a group of young umpires from Plymouth and Ivybridge schools over the two days was tremendous. Over 40 volunteers from clubs and schools ensured the whole event ran smoothly helping with the umpiring, coaching and administration required to run an event of this size.

On the Pitch
After all the group games the intensity on the pitch increased as the teams played the knock out games. In the Plate sponsored by PGSOB Hockey Club St Andrews overcame Oreston B after a penalty shoot out while Boringdon defeated Mount Street 2-1 to face the Saints in the final. St Andrews produced a vertuoso display in the final defeating Boringdon 6-0 to become the first winners of the new title. Oreston B defeated Mount Street to claim third place.

In the Mixed Hockey Shield Victoria Road scrapped past Chaddlewood 1-0 in a close semi final while Southway defeated neighbours Langley after penalty shots to reach the final. In a great final a classy Victoria Road side with one of the most promising players of the festival Ryan Gilbery defeated South 3-1. Gilbery scored a hat trick to cap off a fine tournament for one of many talented players on show. Langley defeated Chaddlewood after penalty shots to claim third spot.

In the OPM sponsored Cup one of the ties of the Festival saw Woodfield play Bovey Tracey. Woodfield stormed into a 2-0 lead only for Bovey to bounce back with minutes remaining. Decided by penalty shots Woodfield saw their final flick creep over the line scored by Luke Ingram to seal their place in the final.

In the other semi final Plymouth College scrapped past Oreston 1-0 to book their place in the final for the second year in a row.

In a tense competitive final Woodfield were unable to unlock a stubborn Plymouth College defense with a number of shots going narrowly wide. College on the other hand held firm scoring three times on the counter to retain the Cup. Woodfield’s Jonathan Feasey was selected as the player of the festival. Feasey has tremendous talent and spirit, clearly having a bright future in the game. Sarah Norris from Plymouth College capped a fine tournament winning the girl of the festival award.

Rory Colthan from Hooe was also awarded a prize for his outstanding display of team and individual skills during the festival.

Throughout the festival a number of competitions were held. In the team skills event St Peters RC went one place better than last year to win the Skills Competition with last years winners Bovey Tracey taking second place. In the individual juggling competitions Laura Glover from Bovey Tracey came 1st racking up 247 juggles in one minute. Rebecca Leung from St Andrews came second scoring 225 with Po Sin from Whitleigh coming third with 168.

In the boys event Matthew Lilley from Bovey came first scoring 230, Jack Smith from Kings second with 215 and Jon Wright from Bovey Tracey came third scoring 207.

Witnessed by a tremendous amount of parents, sponsors and special Guests including the Lord Mayor Patrick Nicholson and leader of the opposition Vivien Pengelly, Nigel Rowe DML Sports & Social, Jane Cornelius England Hockey this years festival proved a massive hit with everyone involved especially the players.

From the evidence on display Hockey in the City has a very bright future.