St Lawrence College delivered a performance of exceptional skill, resilience, and ambition to be crowned England Hockey Boys U16 Tier 2 Plate National Champions, defeating Cheltenham College 5-1 in a thrilling final.
From the opening whistle, the team set the tone with their energy and belief. In just the 4th minute, Rhys Jones showcased remarkable individual brilliance, weaving past three defenders before calmly finishing from the top of the D — a goal that ignited the team’s momentum and set the crowd alight.
St Lawrence continued to assert their authority, and in the 19th minute, Harry Ledger doubled the advantage. Reacting quickest when an initial short corner routine broke down, Ledger found the back of the net, strengthening the College’s grip on the game.
Cheltenham College responded with determination just before the break, striking on the counter-attack to narrow the gap and set up an exciting second half.
Half-Time: St Lawrence College 2 – 1 Cheltenham College
The second half brought fresh challenges, with Cheltenham pressing hard for an equaliser. Yet St Lawrence stood firm, displaying the resilience, composure, and togetherness that have underpinned their season. Rallying with renewed purpose, they wrestled back control and forced a series of short corners.
In the 45th minute, Harry Ledger restored the two-goal cushion with a pinpoint drag flick, and moments later, Domenic Schulz capitalised on a superbly executed training ground move to slot home a fourth.
With just two minutes left on the clock, Harry Ledger completed a richly deserved hat-trick, once again showing his prowess with a clinical drag flick finish.
As the final whistle sounded, scenes of celebration erupted — a fitting tribute to the team’s months of hard work, determination, and unwavering team spirit. This national title is a moment of immense pride for the players, their coaches, their families, and the entire St Lawrence College community.
At St Lawrence College, sport is a cornerstone of school life. We believe in the power of sport not only to build physical fitness and skill but also to develop resilience, leadership, and lifelong friendships. Whether through hockey, rugby, cricket, netball, athletics, tennis, or a wide range of other activities, we offer every pupil the opportunity to discover their talents, challenge themselves, and experience the joy of teamwork. Our sporting provision is inclusive, ambitious, and underpinned by the same spirit of excellence and community that defines life at St Lawrence.
Final Score: St Lawrence College 5 – 1 Cheltenham College
Scorers:
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Rhys Jones (4’)
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Harry Ledger (19’, 49’, 68’)
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Domenic Schulz (45’)
