Cheltenham Hockey Club’s sweet 16s came of age in dramatic style as they were crowned national champions for the first time.

The under-16s’ outstanding performance comes just a year after the under-14s were crowned national champions – and six of that squad were involved this time around.

Delighted youth development officer Phil Robson, said: “It’s an amazing achievement, which reflects the dedication and hard work of the players, coaches, team managers and the parents, who have supported their sons.

“The squad had an excellent team spirit and played as a team demonstrating a willingness to move the ball on rather than try to go it alone, using the full width and length of the pitch.

“Once they reached the shooting area, they were clinical in their goalscoring with 16 field goals and two penalty corners.”

After qualifying for the final stages of the England Hockey Club Championships at the Olympic Park in impressive style, Cheltenham were among the favourites to win the trophy but they knew they would have to dig deep to realise their goal.

After thumping Lichfield 8-1 in their opening pool game, they were held to a 0-0 draw by the previous champions Surbiton before rediscovering their scoring touch by crushing Harrogate 6-0 in their final pool game.

It was this extra firepower that was to prove decisive in booking their place in the final on goal difference against another long-time rival and five-times previous winners Beeston.

The final itself was a thriller with Cheltenham, captained by Ollie Harper, winning a goal feast 5-4 after they had led 2-1 at half-time. Dan Marshall scored two of the goals and there was one apiece for Ellis Robson, Jacob Melville-Smith and Jacob Payton.

Robson scored four goals in the tournament and Harper, Payton, Harry Brookes and Marshall got three each.

For Harper and Robson, who are at King’s School and Dean Close School respectively, the good times did not end there as the two midfielders were selected to represent England under-16s over the Easter weekend. The club is also represented at England under-18 level by James Hunt from Dean Close.

Phil Robson, who is no relation to Ellis, said: “The plan is for those who will still be under-16 to defend their title, while the older ones will play in the under-18 cup, which the club has not entered in recent years.”

Meanwhile, the under-14s will be defending their national title at the Olympic Park on May 13.

The club’s girls have also enjoyed success. The under-18 girls have reached the final of the National Plate after defeating Repton 6-4 and will now play Sevenoaks in the final at the Olympic Park on May 1.

The under-16s narrowly missed out on qualifying for the national finals. However, midfielder Emily Drysdale, a pupil at Cheltenham College, is celebrating success as she was called up to play for Wales under-18s even though she is young enough to still play for the under-16s.

Wales have also called up Oli Evans, from Dean Close, for the under-18s.

The Cheltenham Hockey Club production line shows no sign of slowing down any time soon with over 320 youngsters aged under-8 to under-14 in the Junior Club. This is in addition to more than 100 in the academy programme, which caters for under-15s to under-18s. Many of these youngsters also play for the adult teams at weekends in league matches.

The future certainly looks bright for hockey in the town.