Harleston Magpies Boys U18 travelled down to Colchester last Sunday with high hopes of progressing through the regional round to reach the national finals weekend.

Harleston Magpies Boys U18 travelled down to Colchester last Sunday with high hopes of progressing through the regional round to reach the national finals weekend.

A good day saw Harleston finish top of the group and with it qualifying for the indoor finals weekend in two weeks' time at Kidderminster.

The squad's first game saw them beat a strong Perse side 2-0. This was a good display from Harleston with great defensive work from Will Harrison, Will Johnson and Julian Waelzholz ensuring Harleston kept a clean sheet.

The second game saw Harleston face one of the tournament favourite Framlingham College. Fram started the better side and found themselves a goal up early on, this setback seemed to wake up Harleston.

Harleston started to play fluid hockey, the forwards linking well together. Harleston soon started to find the net with some well-worked short corners and although Framlingham did pull a couple of goals back, Harleston ran out 6-3 winners.

The next game saw Harleston face Bedford School. The opposition again struck first going a goal up. Harleston soon equalised and from there on, it was one-way traffic as Harleston won in style 6-1.

The next game was the toughest of the day facing Old Loughtonians, the other team flying high. Again Harleston went behind to a strong Loughtonians' side before they woke up. Harleston were moving the ball well round but found themselves two goals down after good finishing by the opposition.

Harleston managed to pull a goal back before finding themselves 3-1 down before the break. Harleston came out stronger in the second half and two goals in quick succession saw Harleston level following good link-up play between the Harleston midfield and forward line.

With the match drawing to a close, Harleston managed to find the vital fourth goal and hung on to win 4-3.

With Harleston already through, their last game saw them face Watford Grammar School. Yet again Harleston found themselves a goal down but the team pulled through to win 4-1.

Squad: Julian Waelzholz (Gk), Will Harrison, William Johnson, Fred Merrett, Carl Sitch, Richard Larkin, Jimmy Wheeler (c), Mike Warlow, Chris Barber, Andrew Bedwell (coach), David Johnson (manager).