Saxon Tigers and Wessex Leopards took home the U17 titles to conclude a fantastic four days at Futures Cup 2018.
Five different scorers found the target for Tigers U17 Boys’ team as they beat Pennine Pumas 5-2, with Eddie Harper opening the scoring after 10 minutes.
Atunrolaolu Ashaye doubled that lead before half-time but Henry Croft equalised from a corner for Pumas shortly after the break to give Pumas hope.
They nearly drew level shortly after but were denied by a stunning Oliver Juszt save, before Tigers increased their lead through Charlie Axford in the 45th minute.
Five minutes later Pumas had another through Nikash Henshaw but two goals in less than a minute from firstly Louis Tipper and then Dylan Holland secured the win for Tigers.
The drama in regulation time was much more limited in the U17 Girls’ final as Wessex Leopards and Mercia Lynx both looked solid in defence, but the shootout was of the highest quality as Leopards took it 4-2.
After each sides’ opening efforts were saved, Rosie Hope showed incredible hand-speed to beat the ‘keeper and open the scoring before Kitty Chapple gave them a two goal lead.
Emily Leeson then brilliantly nutmegged the ‘keeper to reduce the deficit for Lynx but Olivia Hamilton soon re-established their advantage before Martha Taylor brilliantly rounded the ‘keeper to win the gold medal.
There was also a medal for the Wessex Leopards U17 Boys’ team as they beat Mercia Lynx 3-0 to claim bronze.
Raphael Boulanger gave Leopards the lead in just the sixth minute before Sam Mackenzie doubled their advantage just before half-time and, despite Lynx resistance in the second half, they made it three in the 57th minute through Jacob Paynton.
In the other bronze game captain Ruth Blaikie was the hero for Caledonian Cougars as they beat Pennine Pumas 1-0 to win their first medal of Futures Cup 2018.
In a game of few chances, Blaikie netted her second field goal of the tournament with just 10 minutes remaining with Pumas unable to find an equaliser, firing a last minute penalty corner narrowly wide.
Caledonian Cougars U17 Boys’ squad also finished Futures Cup 2018 on a high as they beat Celtic Jaguars 5-3 in a superb game at the start of the day to finish fifth.
Struan Walker was the hero as he struck four goals, including a fine reverse stick finish to complete his hat-trick, while Finn Halliday also found the net for Cougars. In return Jacob Rue-Heaton, Charlie Wilkins and Joseph Webb were on target for Jaguars.
There were goals aplenty in the other 5th/6th play-off too as Sian Emslie starred for Saxon Tigers with a hat-trick of her own as they beat Celtic Jaguars 9-1.
Aimee Plumb (2), Amy De Selincourt, Stephanie Weber and Jemima Copeman also found the net for Tigers while Tegan Waters scored Tigers’ solitary goal.