Hockey: Two Island teams win to reach EH Championships semi-finals

Under-14 Boys and Under-16 Girls victorious across the water

Two Isle of Man junior national hockey teams have reached the semi-finals of their respective England Hockey (EH) Championships competitions.

Both the Under-14 Boys and Under-16 Girls squads claimed wins as two of four Manx squads in action off-Island last weekend on Sunday, 1 March.

In an entertaining contest, the IoM Under-14 Boys secured a 3-2 win over North Stafford in the EH Boys Tier 2 KO Championships with a hat-trick from Theo Robertson confirming their passage into the next round.

Meanwhile, the Under-16 Girls impressed in a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Ashby in the EH Girls U16 Tier 2 Plate thanks to two goals from Lucy Ballard and a further finish from Ashton Flick.

Both of those Island teams now progress to the last four of their respective competitions.

Elsewhere on Sunday, the Under-18 Girls and Under-14 Girls were also in action with both falling to defeats.

It was last-gasp heartache for the Under-18 Girls who were beaten on penalty strokes by Khalsa Leamington after a 2-2 draw in regulation time in the EH Girls U18 Tier 2 Plate - the Manx goals during normal time came courtesy of Evie Watterson and Lucy Cartwright.

A tough task for the Under-14 Girls saw them on the end of a 4-0 loss away to Rugby & East Warwickshire in the EH U14 Girls Tier 2 KO Championships.

Looking ahead, the Under-14 Boys and Under-16 Girls teams are currently expected to take part in their upcoming semi-finals on Sunday, 22 March.