There will be a distinct Home Nations flavour to the Futures Cup finals after Scottish and Welsh girls’ teams made it to Saturday’s showdown matches.
Welsh representative Celtic Jaguars, in the Girls under-17 event, and Scottish under-15 side Caledonian Cougars both advanced to the finals of England Hockey’s four-day event at St Albans Hockey Club, Oaklands College.
Caspar Beyer, 15, struck late as Saxon Tigers secured their berth in the boy’s under-17 final.
In a tight encounter, Saxon Tigers prevailed 3-2 over Pennine Pumas and will play Mercia Lynx in the gold medal match.
A spread of goals – 10 across the tournament – perhaps leave Tigers favourites for the title.
There have been two goals apiece from Liam Sillis, Luke Holland, Josh Barrott and Beyer. However, Lynx captain George Fletcher will lead his side out having notched three goals in two games.
In the girls’ under-17 final, Wessex Leopards will take on Celtic Jaguars.
Meanwhile, the final of the boy’s under-15 event will see Saxon Tigers take on Wessex Leopards.
The Leopards had to be content with a well-contested 1-1 draw against Pennine Pumas to secure their place in the final. Leopards’ Jack Burnett gave them the lead before Harry Lewis levelled matters.
In the under-15 girls’ finale, Saxon Tigers will enter the final in buoyant mood after casting aside Pennine Pumas 8-1.
Three goals (Sophie Watts, Summer Knight-Thompson and Monica Watkins) in four minutes left the Tigers in the ascendancy.
They will play Scotland’s Caledonian Cougars, who played out a 3-3 draw against Wessex Leopards.
Caledonia’s Sophie Anderson and Tigers’ Amie Hunt enter the final as top scorers, with three goals apiece.
Subscribe AD FREE to our coverage
READ our coverage on 3G pitch threats
READ our unrivalled Masters coverage here
Read our Safety in Hockey coverage
Do you have a feature or story idea? Get in touch!
