U13 KAISSO Hockey Tournament Champions

On Saturday 26th January our 2nd team boys, with a couple of 1st team players to fill in spaces left by those unable to attend, went to Brookhouse in Karen for the annual U13 hockey tournament. 

The boys started off slowly, drawing 0-0 against Cavina and losing 3-2 to Oshwal. They then started to understand the hard work that is necessary in 7-a-side hockey and also to gel as team.  They went on to beat St.Christopher’s, Brookhouse Runda and Braeside to come second in their group and reach the semi-finals.

In the semis they played a talented Premier Academy side which had won all their group games. The game proved to be very close, ending as a draw at full time.  In extra-time, Braeburn scored a great goal, proceeding to the final.

The final proved even closer.  Despite having lost to Oshwal in the group stages, we looked the better team throughout and scored early on.  Oshwal came back with a score late in normal time. This time, extra time could not separate the two teams and penalty run-ins were necessary.  We managed to convert 2 out of 3, compared to Oshwal’s 1 out of 3, this despite the fact that Sari was playing goalkeeper for the first time in his life!  Congratulations also to Rafe who was rightly named player of the tournament.

It was an impressive achievement for a group of boys who had never played together (or even practised as a team) before the tournament.  They were playing against other schools’ full ‘A’ teams so to come out winning the tournament was a great accomplishment.  All the boys were a credit to Braeburn, not only in their hockey, but also in their determination, their behaviour and their sportsmanship.  Both Mr. Adongo and Mr. James were extremely proud of them.