Shirley Boys’ 1st XI Hockey team completed in the Coaches Cup Hockey Tournament held in Timaru, 28 August to Friday 1 September. This tournament involved schools from throughout the South Island and it was fantastic to for the team to be able to compete against teams they do not normally play.
Results of the five games the team played at tournament are as follows:
· Monday 28 August
v Buller High School won 24-0
· Tuesday 39 August
v Waitaki Boys’ High School won 8-2
· Wednesday 31 August
v Cromwell College won 3-0
This meant Shirley had won all three games in pool play and finished top of their pool and was playing Kings High School in a semi-final.
· Thursday 31 August v Kings High School won 6-2
· Friday 1 September
The Gold Medal game saw us playing Cashmere High School which Shirley won 5-1.
Shirley Boys’ scored 46 goals at tournament and conceded 5 goals.
Shirley Boys’ had three boys in the top five goal scorers at tournament. Danie Beukes was highest top goal scorer at tournament scoring 24 goals.
Winning of Coaches Cup means the team has gained promotion to compete at the Rankin Cup, Tier 1 competition in 2024. It has been 17 years since Shirley competed at Rankin Cup.
This tournament saw Alex Smith play his 50th game for Shirley on Wednesday 30 August against Cromwell College.
There were five players in the team who played their last hockey tournament for Shirley at this tournament. Between them they have played 393 caps for Shirley. Thomas Withell (41), Charlie Utteridge (66), Joe McFayden (78), Alex Brandrick (83) and Danie Beukes (125).
We wish these Shirley Men the best for the future.
Winning a tournament does not come easily and we need to thank the following people.
Our coaches Adrian Smith, Tim Harvey and Brad Shaw who saw the potential in the team and worked hard with the boys all season to get the tournament win.
Richmond Club for their very generous financial donation that reduced the overall cost of the tournament and the financial burden on our families.
