Going into the last game of the group stages England needed a win or draw against France to earn their place in the semi-finals. Yet again it was a closely fought battle, and both teams had found the net by half time leaving the score 1-1.
The second half brought more of the same but with the England supporters drowning out the French drums our boys were spurred on and kept their cool even when France went 2-1 ahead. More nail-biting moments followed as England looked for the chance to equalise. Their patience was rewarded when Conroy broke away from the French defence and slapped the ball into the French net.

The closing moments of the game drew tense with the scores level at 2-2 and the crowd held its breath as the team fouls for both teams neared 10, but England held their own and as the final whistle blew the 2-2 results confirmed their place in the semi-finals. England play Portugal next at 7pm tonight.

Wednesday brought another day of exciting games at the Championships. Italy and Switzerland played a tightly fought game with Italy eventual winners, scoring in the final moments of the game.
The last match of the night saw the England team take on Andorra in front of a vocal home crowd. Spectators were treated to a tense game with both teams leading at stages, but England led 4-3 in the closing stages of the game and when Conroy chipped the ball across for Carter to volley into the net with two minutes to go the crowd
erupted and cheered the boys home to their first victory.
Today sees the final games in the qualification stages before the final stage of the competition. Log on later to see who tops the groups.

As the sun shone in Northampton, the second day of the Championships got underway with seven of the nine teams playing games across the day. The days games saw close matches between Switzerland and Germany along with a notable performance by Andorra against a physically dominant French side.
Those living in the East of England who weren’t at the Championships may have been lucky enough to watch some footage on BBC1 as the local film crew came down and broadcast live from the Championships, interviewing President of the NRHA, Keith Allen and England team captain Liam Conroy.

Yesterday saw the start of the 29th Under 17 European Championships in Northampton. The evening started with games between Italy and Germany and Portugal and Switzerland.
Figure skaters, speed skaters and dancers from Roller Village in Wisbech and young roller hockey players from across England, including two in Sumo-wrestling suits then entertained the players and spectators during the opening ceremony before President of the NRHA, Keith Allen welcomed everyone to the Championships. Carlos Graza, President of the CERH then thanked the NRHA for organising the Championships before officially declaring the tournament open.
Following the opening ceremony the England team took on Spain in front of a capacity crowd in their first game of the Championships.
Log on for regular updates and scores for all the games throughout the week.

Carlos Amaral NRHA National Performance Director has announced the final 10 to represent England in the 2010 Under 17 European Championships in Northampton in ten days time. Congratulations to the successful players and we all wish them good luck.

Final Squad:
Goalkeepers
Peter Hunt – Peterborough
Reuben Alam – Farnham
Outfield Players
James Neville – Cottenham
Josh Taylor – Kings Lynn
Liam Conroy – Bury
Michael Carter – Peterborough
Oliver Johnson – Peterborough
Sam Norris – Bury
Sam Norton – Bury
William Smith- Middlesbrough
Management
Head Coach – Carlos Amaral
Manager – Joe Wheatley
Assistant Coach – Arthur Corr
Physiotherapist – Pedro Lourenço

Please find the “Time Table” and “List of the Players” for next National Training Weekend Saturday 21st & 22nd August 2010.

This month the Seniors are training in Bushfields. This is part of the Seniors Final Preparation for Europeans in Wuppertal, Germany and the players that I have invited will be informed by the Seniors Manager Ron Barker to attend this session.

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Tickets for the Under 17’s European championships are now available, domestic sales can be purchase from Michaela Parfitt and International sales are available online.

Tickets are priced at £50 for a weekly family ticket which admits 2 Adults and up to 3 under 17 children and £20 for a weekly single ticket.
Daily tickets are currently available at £5 for Monday and Saturday and £3 for the Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Sales are expected to brisk for finals day on the Saturday so be sure to buy your tickets sooner rather then later.

What is ‘wanted’ is the whereabouts of the Queen Mary Cup.
It was a trophy for Ladies that used to be around some years ago.
Now we have the Ladies numbers increasing and we are trying to get a Ladies League going again, it would be nice to find historic trophies like this one and get it back in circulation.
Keith Allen

Photo by Gordon Morrison

Saturday’s National Cup Finals was a great success with Middlesbrough taking the trophy at under 20’s and Senior levels, Peterborough won the under 15’s, Bury were victors at the under 17’s, the reds winners of the ladies and Herne Bay United are under 13’s 2010 cup champions. Presentations for player of the year in each age catagory were made during the afternoon and we congratulate all the recipients of these prestigious awards.

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This years National Cup Finals will be a great day out but patrons are advised that this year a 2 hour parking restriction is in force along Central Parade and Western Esplanade. The nearest car parks are Neptune Car Park – just beyond the Clock Tower. Beach Street Car park – behind arcades opposite the Clock Tower and William Street ( behind the High St & opposite Morrisons)