Southgate prove top dogs at league finals showdown (From Enfield Independent)

Southgate prove top dogs at league finals showdown

11:19am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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SOUTHGATE Hockey Club's under-18 men's team continued a stunning season for the club by taking victory in the Mercian League finals on Sunday.

After the Men's 1st XI took the English Hockey League Division 1 title and the Ladies 1st XI won promotion to the National League for the first time via the play-offs, the under-18s put in a superb display to take the honours at Woking Hockey Club last weekend.

Southgate qualified as undefeated champions of the North East Division before outclassing a strong Guildford side 3-1 at the quarter-final stage.

That set up a semi-final clash with another of English hockey's powerhouses, Canterbury.

Play see-sawed from one end to the other in a goalless first half where Southgate were unlucky not to break the deadlock.

But they took the lead in the second period when Ireland skillfully found Ollie Wickham at inside left.

He found Tom Staddon who linked with Sterlini, and the latter picked out Hamilton in an advanced position.

Hamilton outpaced the defence and found Rookes who placed the ball under the advancing keeper.

Southgate then defended solidly to set up a final against East Grinstead.

After the match finished goalless, two periods of golden goal time followed.

Southgate again defended resolutely, with Staddon making two crucial interceptions on England under-18 international George Torry.

And they secured victory with 90 seconds of the period remaining when Comley found Rookes and he made an arching run towards the D before turning and firing the ball hard across goal where the oncoming Hamilton calmly slotted home.

Southgate will now face the Navy's under-23 side in a match to mark 30 years of Mercian league sponsorship.

Southgate's players would like to thank sponsors Clydesdale Bank, coaches Tim Watson and Mark Wickham, competition physiotherapist Philippa Smith, all supporters and parents, especially Liz Moss, Mark Hubbard, Raj Gandhi and Bill Hamilton.

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