The 2025 South Central Area Sixes delivered a superb day of junior indoor hockey at King Edward VI School, Southampton, on Sunday 7 December. With Under 16 Boys and Girls teams from across the South Central area competing in fast-paced round-robin tournaments, the event showcased outstanding skill, scoring power, and rising talent across both competitions.

Girls Competition: Reading dominate with attacking masterclass

The Under 16 Girls section produced a high-scoring display across six matches, with Reading emerging as the standout side of the entire day. They opened their campaign with a commanding 7–1 win over Trojans, combining tight pressing with clinical finishing.

Winchester got off to a strong start with a 3–1 victory over Marlow, but the tone of the tournament shifted once more when Reading delivered back-to-back goal-laden performances, defeating Marlow 11–0 and Winchester 11–1. Their movement, accuracy, and composure created clear daylight in the results table between them and the chasing pack.

Trojans recovered from their opening defeat with an impressive 6–1 win over Winchester and followed it up with an 8–0 victory over Marlow to secure second place.

Despite battling hard, Marlow were unable to turn their chances into results, but their determination remained unquestioned throughout.

Final impressions: Reading completed the event unbeaten, scoring a remarkable 29 goals across just three matches. Trojans showed character in their comeback performances, while Winchester and Marlow added competitive energy to a highly entertaining tournament.

Boys Competition: Trojans edge a fiercely contested round robin

The three-team Boys competition was equally thrilling, featuring end-to-end play and a total of 33 goals across three matches.

Trojans opened the tournament with a powerful 7–3 win over Winchester, leveraging their speed and sharp finishing to establish early control. Their form continued in a tightly fought contest against Reading, where Trojans’ clinical edge secured a 6–4 victory.

Reading entered their final match determined to finish strongly — and they did so emphatically. A 9–4 win over Winchester showcased their attacking flair and ensured they finished with a positive goal difference and a strong statement performance.

Winchester, despite finishing without a win, contributed significantly to the open, attacking nature of the competition and demonstrated promise in the final third.

Final impressions: Trojans’ consistency across both matches secured them the top spot, with Reading finishing second thanks to a superb final outing. All three sides delivered fast, exciting hockey that kept spectators engaged throughout.

A celebration of regional talent

Across both competitions, the South Central Area Sixes highlighted the quality and depth of junior indoor hockey within the region. With a combined total of over 70 goals scored in a single day, the event offered a strong platform for young players to showcase their ability in a high-tempo environment.

Reading’s Girls squad and the Boys’ Trojans team stood out as the most dominant performers, but every team contributed to a memorable tournament full of energy, skill, and sportsmanship.