COACH Lee Bampton predicted further success for his Bournemouth under-10 girls after they won the south west crown at the National Clubs In2Hockey Championship.

Having earned the right to qualify via a Dorset competition at Chapel Gate, the youngsters put in a string of magnificent displays to battle through seven games and scoop the regional title at Clifton College in Bristol.

Bampton has been training the team since September last year and he explained how tournament victory had been apt reward for the players’ efforts on the pitch – and behind the scenes.

He told the Daily Echo: “The girls put their all into every match and played with grit and determination.

“Their hard work all year in the rain, wind and cold paid off as they showed great handling skills, speed on the run and solid defence.

“It got the spectators’ hearts racing to watch them go to penalty flicks in the semi-final but they showed such determination.

“They were the best team on the day and deserved to win with their gutsy performances. I’m sure we will see more success from these girls soon.”

The squad members were India Hughes, Amber Rees, Isabella James, Evie Bampton, Annabel Garlinge, Rosy Riley, Katie Gray, Lilias Durward and Sammy Digby-Duell.

In the group stages, the girls played five games against the best club teams from five other zones, those being Plymouth, Salisbury, Lansdown, Taunton and Bath.

And Bournemouth scorched into the semi-finals as group winners, having scored six goals and conceded just one.

In the semi-finals, the Dorset side faced strong opposition in Taunton. And although the action switched quickly from one end to the other, there was no score at the end of regulation time, meaning the game would be decided on penalty flicks.

Despite the pressure of the situation, Bournemouth’s girls rose to the occasion and put their efforts convincingly into the back of the net.

Goalie India Hughes made a terrific hand save to ensure her team progressed to the final courtesy of a 3-1 scoreline in the shootout.

In the final against Plymouth, Bournemouth had to dig deep to find their final reserves of energy as the afternoon sunshine took its toll.

And their efforts were met with the reward they craved, two excellent goals allowing the Dorset team to earn championship glory.

In2Hockey is the next step up from the introductory four-a-side game, quicksticks, and was developed to help 10 to 14-year-olds refine their skills in preparation for the traditional form of the game.

It can be played as a seven-a-side contest with goalkeepers, or a six-a-side game without goalkeepers.

Youngsters contest matches on an area half the size of an adult pitch and the small-sided teams mean players get plenty of touches of the ball.