ROVER OXFORD YOUTH HOCKEY FESTIVAL REPORT
Rover Oxford's 13th annual youth hockey festival was again a great success with over 600 players from  50 teams from all over the UK competing for the coveted trophies sponsored by the Royal Mail Sports Foundation.

On Friday, Banbridge Academy from Northern Ireland played in friendly games against the hosts winning both the U12 and U14 age groups with their typically tenacious and well drilled hockey. Later that evening, as part of the Festival weekend, past and present members of club and county played in the Steve Vermeulen challenge to remember the club's junior section founder followed by the 'Captains Challenge' where two mixed sides from Rover competed in a friendly match to complete the club evening.
On the Saturday of the main competition, Rover Oxford started well winning the Under 8 competition in a close fought final against last years winners Teddington. Teddington went one better in the Under 10 age group lifting the trophy against Wallingford whilst in the afternoon, Banbridge Under 12's continued their winning ways beating Tilsley Tigers 2-1 in a penalty shoot-out after the final finished in a 1-1 draw.

On Sunday, Banbridge Under 14's again showed great determination to reach the final and after a goalless draw overcame Aylesbury 3-1 on penalties. Rover Oxford Under 16 girls reached the semi finals but were beaten by an excellent West Witney side who went on to take the trophy in the final with a 3-0 win over Wallingford. Local interest continued in the Under 16 boys competition final which was again decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw between City of Oxford and Tilsley Tigers. City won through 2-0 after two excellent saves from their keeper.

The Fair Play trophies were awarded by the Oxfordshire Umpires Association and presented by Anne Vermeulen to Wallingford Under 16 girls and High Wycombe U16 boys. Gareth Evans from the Royal Mail presented all the other trophies.

SUMMARY OF FINALS
Under 8 Rover Oxford 3, Teddington 2
Under 10 Teddington 2, Wallingford 0
Under 12 Banbridge 0, Tilsley Tigers 0 (Banbridge win 2-1 on penalties)
Under 14 Banbridge 1, Aylesbury 1 (Banbridge win 3-1 on penalties)
Under 16 Girls West Witney 3, Wallingford 0
Under 16 Boys City of Oxford 1, Tilsley Tigers 1 (City win 2-0 on penalties)