ALLEYN Court Prep School’s pupils have continued to thrive on the hockey pitch, with the under-11 team putting in a perfect performance to qualify for the Essex finals next month.

The youngsters competed in the under-11 Southend competition, with the A team winning every match - beating St Michael’s Primary School, Bournes Green Junior and Temple Sutton Primary to win their group before beating Heycroft and Bournes Green again in the final.

The result sees the school book their Essex finals spot in March.

And Director of Sport Noel Smith said he was delighted with the enthusiasm in which hockey has been received.

“Hockey has taken off at Alleyn Court this year, with record numbers playing and competing for the school,” he said.

“Thanks to Old Southendian Hockey Club we are now able to hold our training sessions on the astroturf pitches at Warners Bridge and many of our pupils have recently joined local hockey teams as well.

“Last week, the school entered five competitions with 36 different pupils representing the school. With the emphasis on enjoyment it gave many of our pupils the first chance to play competitive hockey against lots of other schools locally.

“Our pupils embraced the opportunity in all the matches scoring lots of goals and winning most of their games, often against A teams from other schools.”

Elsewhere, the under-9 A team beat Earls Hall and Friars in the Southend Schools competition group stage but were beaten on penalties in the semi-final as they shared the bronze medal with Heycroft School.

And last Thursday, the under-11s boys team travelled to the National Hockey Stadium at Lee Valley to compete in the Independent Schools Association National Competition.

The youngsters qualified for the final eight, but were not fighting for a medal after coming sixth in the end.

Away from hockey, the under-11 basketball team won the Southend Schools competition for the fifth year in succession.

They also finished fourth at the Essex Finals.

And the under-11 boys have also qualified for the ISA National Football finals in March, with the under-11 girls netballers coming fourth in the whole of the eastern region.