Ben Rhydding Hockey Club Under-18s team has won the North East Regional Final of the RAF Careers Youth Hockey Cup. In a match played against Richmond School, Ben Rhydding had a resounding 8-1 victory in the final that took place at Horsforth School, on Sunday.

The win takes Ben Rhydding through to the National quarter- and semi-finals taking place on Sunday, March 24, at Cannock Hockey Club.

The National finals of the RAF Careers Youth Hockey Cup will take place at the Milton Keynes Hockey Stadium on Sunday, May 12.

Ben Rhydding had given Hull HC a 4-0 trouncing when they took the Yorkshire title, and were well prepared again by coach Hugh Lambert to do the business at the regionals.

Richmond defended well and in this area of the pitch showed maturity and self confidence beyond their years in coping with the rampant Ben Rhydding players. Richmond had to work hard to wrestle the ball back from the BRHC forwards, who played a sharp, creative and dominating style of play. It is a reflection of the Richmond perseverance that they did not allow the Ben Rhydding players an easy time, even though it soon became clear that a considerable slice of good fortune was needed by Richmond to come away from this game with anything other than pride.

Harmer, Parkes particularly, Musgrave, Birkenshaw and Lambert were at their best and the Ben Rhydding gave a display of team work and individual skill that had many of the spectators applauding with pleasure at the tactical moves and quality of play on display. Goals from Musgrave, Harmer, and Parkes took BRHC into a 3-0 lead before Danny Cartwright responded for Richmond School. At this point the game slipped quickly away from Richmond and BRHC keeper Oakes had little to do but try to keep warm as Ben Rhydding went to work with aplomb.

Further goals from Harmer three, Musgrave and Parkes were the icing on a well prepared cake. Birkenshaw, with a little more luck, could have added at least three further goals, but sound defending and goal keeping by Richmond did not allow Ben Rhydding to get too confident.