Wednesday, 12 March 2014

1st XI Burney Cup run comes to an end


The 1st XI faced tough opposition today in the semi-final of the Sintons at the Bridge Burney Cup. Despite the most valiant of efforts from the Regent side Banbridge Academy emerged the victors winning 6-1. Thanks to the large crowd of spectators who came from the school today to support the 1st XI side in today's glorious sunshine.

Blue skies and rainbows a plenty

There were a few homemade signs spotted
Banbridge were sharp out of the blocks bringing high intensity and a fast paced start to the game. Indeed it was this pace that saw them take the lead after just 7 minutes with Ben Knox the scorer. Regent appeared to be stunned by this start to the game and conceded a penalty corner shortly afterwards, however Bryn Walker (Year 13) was there with a brilliant stop on the line to deny the Banbridge dragflicker from doubling the scoreline.
Airhorn and vuvuzela in hand



It took just three more minutes before the Bann side found the back of the net again with Robbie Scott calming tapping in behind his back an ambitious ball across the circle. However Regent continued to work hard and started to get themselves back into the game. Frazer Carnduff (Year 11) saved McKee's penalty corner effort  and the tempo of the game seemed to slow as Regent were able maintain more of the ball. This was due to Peter McKibbin (Year 13) taking his usual commanding role at the back and also due to performance of Michael Orr showing he is a player for the big occasion.Orr was on hand to skillfully run the ball out from the back. McKibbin, the younger member of the centre back pairing, certainly did not shy away from the physical style of hockey played by Banbridge in the opening phases. .Indeed he seemed to relish it putting a number of strong tackles as the last man to stop the Academy attack. With Regent retaining more ball possession this centre back pairing were able to find the likes of Rowan Poots(Year 13) further up the pitch which became instrumental in creating more opportunities. 
McKibbin wins the ball from McKee along the baseline
The first of these chances fell to Josh Gilmore (Year 12) who immediately halved the deficit, clinically blasting home a reverse leaving Glass no chance in the Bann goal. This lifted Regent and it was their turn to go on the offensive continuing to pressure the opposition defence. 
Josh Gilmore (r) celebrates his goal along with Jonny Linter
This pressure was rewarded when Regent were awarded a penalty corner after Bann struck their own feet in the circle. Up stepped dragflicker Rowan Poots but Bann keeper Glass saved his flick to keep the score at 2-1.
Rowan Poots lets rip with a dragflick
 Regent finished the half very strongly and the sides went into the break with the score remaining 2-1.
Bann again came out very strong at the beginning of the half and opened up a two goal lead after a Neville Clarke dragflick deflected over Carnduff's head and into the goal despite the defence's best effort to clear it. Both sides continued to battle and although Bann won another corner Carnduff saved it comfortably and McKibbin confidently cleared the rebound.
Carnduff saves another Bann dragflick
Regent cleared there lines and headed up the far end of the pitch where they won a number of successive short corners.  The first of which was denied by a double save from the Bann keeper to deny Poot's dragflick and Toby Fynn's (Year 12) rebound effort however the ball got stuck in his pads and another short was awarded. Poot's dragflick struck the first runner resulting in the award of another penalty corner. From this resultant corner it took a fine diving save from Glass, deflecting the ball with his stick to deny Poot's from finding the scoresheet. 
A piece of individual skill from Johnny McKee saw him beat a number of players before crashing the ball across the "d" with it this time coming off a Regent stick for an own goal. Both sides continued to trade attacks with both looking threatening. It was Bann's turn to win another penalty corner however Regent held firm with James Stewart (Year 13)  taking the pacy flick off the line with ease.
James Stewart clears his lines
Regent saw another chance go a miss as a crash ball was agonisingly wide of the awaiting forward at the back post. Bann were quick to punish Regent for this with Jake Rowe finishing following a series of good build up play down the right hand side. Bann then added another just four minutes from time from Mark Campbell.

Head Coach Mr Robb (r) and Assistant Coach Jordan McKee 
Credit to the Regent side for their "never say die" attitude that was showcased not only against Bangor but also today in the semi final aswell. It was this attitude and hard work that kept them in the game throughout and indeed as a number of spectators noted "it was a closer game than the score line reflects". I'm sure there will undoubtedly be some sore bodies in the morning as the squad gave it their all and congratulations are due to the boys on getting this far in the Burney Cup. There are the first Regent side to reach the semi finals since the McCullough Cup winning side of 2000. However for the young side this will be a learning process and will have provided invaluable experience that coupled with Mr. Robb's hard work in coaching should set them in good stead as they head to the Irish Schools next season and indeed for the Burney Cup again next 
year.
Burney Cup Semi-Finalists 2014

 

Sunday, 9 March 2014

2 XI lose narrowly to FSL


The Second XI hosted Friends School Lisburn at Ards Leisure Centre on Saturday past, losing out narrowly by three goals to one.

The Second XI started strongly and looked the more dangerous of the two sides with some impressive right sided play; most notably from Ian Lemon at Right Back. However the Regent side did not capitalise on their possession and the sides went into the break at 0-0.

It was FSL who started the second half the sharper of the two sides and grabbed a goal early on. Regent then went searching for an equaliser only to be caught on the counter attack and concede another. However they did not let this set them back as they responded by pulling a goal back. Russell Hughes provided a trademark reverse that fell kindly for Jay Herron to calmly slot home.

Regent continued to search for an equaliser but it was a piece of individual skill from the FSL centre midfield, who beat a couple of Regent players before finding the back of the net, that won the game for the Lisburn side.
Regent House 2nd XI


U13 Boys reach Bannister Bowl Semi-Final



Congratulations to the U13 Boys for reaching the Bannister Bowl Semi Final after beating Bangor Grammar School in the Quarterfinal.
Regent travelled to Bangor for the semi final and returned the victors after scoring five goals. It was an outstanding team effort and a much deserved win.


All the best to the boys in the next round!

Final score: 5-1
Scorers: Aaron Grimshaw x 4, Andrew Linter x 1

Regent win 12 goal thriller versus Bangor Grammar


Congratulations to the Regent House Boys 1st XI as they beat Bangor Grammar 7-5 to progress to the Semi-Finals of the Sintons at the Bridge Burney Cup. It was an encapsulating game that was contested right until the final whistle and through sheer grit and determination Regent emerged the victors.

R. Poots, J. Gilmore and A.Tate celebrate another Regent goal


Scorers were: R.Poots x2, J.Gilmore x2, A.Tate x1, P.McKibbin x1 and an own goal.

Victorious 1st XI Squad

This victory means they shall meet Banbridge Academy in the Semi-Final which is to be played on Wednesday 12th March at Lisnagarvey. Push Back at 1:30.

 Best of luck to the Boys for the Semi-Final.