National title retained

THE local Octopush juniors TSW - drawn from Dawlish, Kingsbridge and Ilfracombe - have successfully defended their under-13 national title in Loughborough, writes Phil Shute.

They dispatched all challengers so clinically that they ended with a 100 per cent record and conceded not a single goal!

They have conceded only one goal in the last two seasons of competition.

The team comprised Tess Thompson, John Brantigan, Hester Stembridge, Joel Kelly, Harry Elsmore, Becky Howells, Claire Roberts, Charlie Atkins and Isaac Martin.

They opened their account with an 8-0 trouncing of Xarifa of Manchester, followed by a 4-0 win against a very strong Solent side. Plymouth, their closest adversaries, were dispatched 6-0 before they beat eventual runners-up, Orkney, 3-0. Batley succumbed 6-0 and finally Pembroke were routed 5-0.

There was general under-employment for the impregnable defence, and free-scoring by all team members.

The development team preparing for next year's event was able to finish sixth in Great Britain to underline the enormous strength in depth of Britain's finest squad of juniors.

Bronnie Bernstein, Lizzie Godwin, Elliot Atkins, Aaron Lindsay, Charlie Barnes, Paris Crawley and Robert Williams put in some fine performances.

They played out a disputed match with Pembroke just losing a forced replay 2-0. They defeated Kirkwall Grammar 2-1 before a very narrow 3-2 defeat by Plymouth. They thumped Huddersfield 4-1 before drawing with Farnham and Guildford 0-0 and finally going down 5-1 to an immense Solent side.

Due to major player non-availability the U16 side, who were favourites to defend their own 2008 title, did not compete, but locals Hannah Chard, James Cobb, Neal Roberts, Charlotte Smith and Katherine Standen fortified 'new boys' Ilfracombe who fielded Lydia Martin and Harry Brown, tasting this competition for the first time.

The quality of competition was outstanding, but they were able to finish in fifth place, a great achievement with only three available players with any significant experience.

Team South West is acknowledged as Britain's 'Gold Standard' and these results suggest that they will continue as such in the foreseeable future.