Silver medal winners in the National Hockey Finals

After last week's heroics at the South Wales Tournament, the U14 boys travelled to Newtown this Friday to compete in the Welsh National Hockey Finals. There they played three teams in a round robin pool, two from the North (Rydal Penrhos and Eirias High School of Colwyn Bay) and South Wales winners, Olchfa.

It soon became apparent, however, that one of the biggest challenges of the day would be the weather. Driving wind (and sometimes rain) howled across the Newtown pitch as the team lined up in its first match against northern champions Rydal. An incredibly close affair, with chances at both ends, was eventually solved, however, by a moment of brilliance by Mohammed Alothman in the dying seconds of the match.

With this hugely important first win under their belts the U14s faced their old nemesis Olchfa in the second match. The Swansea school, comprising of county, regional and national players started strongly but the CCB team managed to hold them out despite a wave of short corners. At half time the score was still 0-0 and it remained anyone's game, although it was clear that whoever scored first would win. Unfortunately, despite a valiant effort Olchfa broke through in the second half and with the dawning realisation that the match and the championship had, as such, passed eased to a slightly flattering 3-0 victory.

To their immense credit the CCB boys refused to let the defeat derail their march on second place and answered their coach's call to arms in the last match against Eirias High School with a fantastic 2-1 victory. Started by a sublime Jack Jones penalty corner and finished with another wonderful running goal from Mohammed Alothmann the U14s saw off their opponents with little concern, despite a late goal in the second half.

So, ultimately the title of champions went to Olchfa but the team produced a fantastic effort to seal the runners-up position and the silver medals that went with it.

Hockey Coach Dr Dominic Phelps said: "After two brilliant tournaments, Captain Ed Brundrett and his team were deserving of the highest praise and after an amazing year in which the U18 Girls also reached the national finals in Wrexham, it is clear that Christ College Brecon has officially put itself on the map as one of the top schools for boys and girls hockey in Wales."