Cannock U16s travelled to Kidderminster to face Beeston and Belper in the Midlands Indoor Round Competition 2011-12. With two teams going through to the National Finals in January on one team would leave empty handed at the end of the day and Cannock were determined that it wouldn't be them.

Cannock's opening game came against rivals Beeston who were looking for revenge after Cannock had out witted them last month in the outdoor U16s EH Cup. However, Cannock were yet again up for fight and produced a great performance of attacking, free flowing indoor hockey that their opposition couldn't deal with. Cannock found themselves 2-1 ahead at halftime thanks to goals from Louie Morris and Captain Jeevan Dhanda. The second half saw Cannock continue to have the better of the play with George Myatt and Reece Jecketts controlling the game throughout. The lead was stretched to 3-1 thanks to a Jecketts conversion on a deadly short corner. This was reduced to 3-2 when Beeston scored a short corner of their own but Cannock restored their two goal cushion thanks to Myatt coring his first of the day. In the final few seconds Cannock allowed a sloppy third for Beeston but the game was won, one game, one win.

Then it was Cannock's turn to watch as Beeston faced Belper, knowing that anything other than a Beeston win would see Cannock through with a game to play, unfortunately things are never that easy and Beeston ran 6-0 winners.

So the final game of the triangular tournament saw the Mighty Knockers face Belper for a place in the Nationals. Cannock knew they had one foot in the door knowing only a 6-0 win for Belper would see them crash out. However, that is a dangerous thing to know and circumstances conspired against the lads which saw Belper lead 2-0 at half time. The call from Coach Alex Hill and Man Motivator Kevin Balcombe was simple – keep your head and we are through.

Nevertheless no-one could have expected what they were about to witness…..

2-0 behind at half-time the second half seemed to be producing similar results for Cannock with chances being missed and goals not being scored, but with around six minutes to go a short corner came out to Reece Jecketts who placed the ball over the on rushing keeper into the top corner of the goal. 2-1. With Cannock on the up the game continued to be played at a fast pace with teams wanting the goals for different reasons.

With two minutes left to play Cannock found themselves in the Belper ‘D' and Jeevan Dhanda popped up the equalise and send the bench into hysterics. Not to lose and finish top of the tree would have been a great achievement. But the lads weren't done yet. In the final seconds of the game George Myatt won a short corner for Cannock . In the final piece of play Jecketts played the ball into Dhanda top of the ‘D' who squared it to Myatt who finished by smashing the ball into the goal. 3-2! Victory!

Players, Parents, Fans and Coaches went crazy! Cannock had shown what they were made of by coming back from the dead to win the game 3-2 and get crowned Regional Indoor Champions 2011.

The boys played with grit, passion and quality, making Coach Alex Hill proud to stand alongside them calling them ‘his side'.

Next Stop – National Finals.