Hockey Tour 2023

Following our application last year, Kingswood 1stXI were invited to the 75th edition of the Reyes Tourna, an invitational international junior club and school competition hosted by the Real Club de Polo. It also was our first boys’ sports tour post Covid pandemic. 

The three-day tournament pitted Kingswood against some of the top U18 club sides in Europe, from countries such as The Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and a South African select XI. 

Travelling out on Thursday last week, we arrived in Barcelona. On Thursday evening, we rubbed shoulders with European and Spanish hockey royalty at the Gala dinner – dining alongside Leandro Negre, former EuroHockey president, and Pol Amat, two-time World Player of the Year. 

The tournament was split into two groups of five; we played the first two of our four pool matches on Friday versus ‘Titans’ from South Africa and ‘Braxgata’ from Belgium. 

In game one, we got off to a blistering start with Ollie Day finding his younger brother Toby free in the circle who scored with a composed backhand finish. Afterwards, a Joe Watt drag flick was saved onto the crossbar and Toby struck the post with a lob over the rushing goalkeeper. Despite some further chances, Titans ran out 2-1 winners with two penalty corner drag flicks in the final ten minutes. Our second game of the day was another close affair against Belgian opposition. With both teams trading blows throughout, it was Braxgata who snuck a 1-0 win through another penalty corner, with three minutes remaining. 

On Saturday we played two further and final group matches versus the Oranje Rood from The Netherlands and Spanish champions and hosts RC Polo. 

With a series of niggles, our adaptability and physical resilience was tested in game 3. Despite another well contested fixture with chances for both sides throughout, it was the Dutch ruthlessness that was the difference, despite a consolation goal from Joe Watt. 

Game 4 against the hosts RC Polo in front of a sizeable crowd under the lights was a wonderful opportunity. Unfortunately, we were not at our best against a very talented, well drilled outfit and lost an 8-goal thriller. This was probably our lowest point on tour, but will be a seminal moment for this group in their pursuit of domestic dominance. 

Amazingly, despite travelling all the way to Barcelona, our final playoff match was against KES. Having played club teams that train 3 times per week, for 9 months of the year, for the past 10 years, playing a school would be a more accurate test of our current standing. 

The game finished 9-0 with two goals from Toby Day, Archie Hamilton, Charlie Day and further goals from Ollie Day, Joe Watt and George Hancock. A great result and a very proud moment. The team’s response following a very difficult previous day spoke a lot about them and a deserved way to finish what was an amazing tournament. 

Our flights home were cancelled, and so we made the most of our extra evening together, heading to the Sagrada Familia, and then to watch Barcelona basketball in the stunning Palau Blaugrana, before racking up an impressive takeaway pizza order. 

We returned yesterday afternoon, after a 3am start, landing in Liverpool. Thanks to Mr Reeman and Mr J W Davies for driving up, and returning us safely to Kingswood. Thanks also to Mr Stuttard who co-lead on the trip, and whose Spanish navigated us smoothly around town. Lastly, thanks to the 16 1stXI representatives who have enjoyed a fantastic pre-season, and who represented the school well in their behaviour and attitude.