The U18s took 2^nd place in the inaugural quadrangular ‘International Winter Series Trophy’ organized by Move Sports, the other three teams being visiting schools from the UK – Churcher’s College, Marlborough College and St Edward’s Oxford.

In yesterday evening’s shortened round robin games, the Casuals recorded 3 draws and this paired them against St Edward’s in the first semi final this morning. After the Casuals went ahead 2-0, the visitors pulled back a goal before half time, and the tightness of the game was reflected in the fact that all 3 goals came from penalty corners. Although the second half was fiercely contested and St Edward’s in particular had several good chances, there were no further goals and the Casuals went through with a 2-1 win.

Churcher’s came from behind to win the other semi final, and the 3^rd place play-off went to Marlborough after a penalty shoot-out. This set the stage for a thrilling final, with both teams playing some high level hockey and alternately putting their opponents under spells of prolonged pressure. With 2 minutes left on the clock and it looking like this match might also go to penalties, Churcher’s scored the only goal to win 1-0.

The whole Tournament was played in a highly competitive but very friendly atmosphere, and congratulations must go to Move Sports for their excellent organization of this event, which was rounded off in the evening with a prize-giving dinner for all the teams.

This afternoon the Ladies won the latest indoor Tournament. With an appreciable lead in the league table, it was the turn of some of the younger players to take to the boards. A team averaging 17 years old played the first half of each of the two games and, against all expectations, they only conceded 3 goals in each game against Sport (outdoor national champions 2012) and Lousada (indoor runners-up 2012).

The second halves of the games were played by the more experienced indoor players in the squad and the results speak for themselves: the Ladies turned a 1-3 deficit into a 4-3 win against Sport in the first game, and came from 0-3 down to win the final against Lousada 4-3. Casuals continues to be the team that scores more than 4 goals a game, leading the top scorer table with two players in 1^st (16 goals) and 2^nd place (13 goals).