THE Basingstoke District Under-11 Schools side for the first time in their history have been crowned Hampshire Presidents League champions for the first time in their history.
They took the crown by a single point, after beating Portsmouth 3-1.
Basingstoke went into their final game knowing only a victory, would see them win the title ahead of Southampton.
They took the lead after 15 minutes, as an excellent through ball by Ollie Bell, put Luke Howard through.
Shortly after, Howard scored a second to make it 2-0 at half-time.
Howard completed his hat-trick early in the second half, before Portsmouth’s lone reply.
At the final whistle they were crowned champions for the first time in a competition, which started in the 1970s.
The team coached by Castle Hill's Steve Caplin are now going for the double at Stoke City's home - the Britannia Stadium – on Saturday, May 20 in the finals of the County ESFA Under-11 Danone Nations Cup.They made it there after finishing second in Bristol after victories over sides from Somerset, the Channel Islands and Cornwall.
l Pictured (back row, left to right): Luke Howard, Jamie Davis, Harrie Westerman, Berri Lamont, Tom Clipston, Bastian Smith, Tyler Field, Arthur Sefton. (Front row, left to right): Mason Warwick, Harry Smith, Fin Buchanan, Ollie Bell, Taylor McBriar, Danny James Carter. Sonny Parkes (not in pic).
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