THIS week in April 2010 saw Taunton Vale Hockey Club’s Under-18 boys celebrate securing the National Plate title.

Vale faced Lichfield in the semi-finals and swept them aside 4-0.

The Taunton side led 2-0 at the break - thanks to Josh Hood’s opener and Guy Skinner’s superb drag flick - and added two more after half-time thanks to captain Ed Carson.

That set up a meeting with Deeside Ramblers in the final, and again Vale led 2-0 at the halfway mark - with Hood and Skinner getting the goals once more.

A yellow card left Vale down a man for five minutes and Deeside pulled one back to set up a tense finale, but resolute defensive work secured the title for the Somerset team.

It was a good weekend all round for Vale, with the clubs’ Under-16 boys and girls teams reaching the last four stage of their respective competitions.

The victorious Taunton Vale U18 team were (pictured above, from left to right): back row - Lauren Turner (representing England Hockey), Alex Jones, Guy Skinner, Isaac Chan, Josh Hancock, Harry Speedy, Josh Hood; front row - Louis Corbin O’Grady, Ed Whittle, Jack Western, Ed Carson (captain), Olly Hancock, Will Hebditch, George Rawlings.