A roller hockey team were crowned national champions at the weekend.

The Borehamwood Crusaders U12 competed at the 2018 Inline Skater Hockey National Championships in Bordon, Hampshire, at the weekend.

Inline hockey is hockey played on a hard surface but players wear roller skates.

The Crusaders, who start matches by shouting 'Be Wood!' began the tournament with a last gasp victory over Medway Assassins. Luke Anscombe and Preston Tombs put the Crusaders 2-0 up before their opponents fought back to level the game up.

A winner in the last 30 seconds following good play from Kyle Chapman secured an opening team win.

The U12s then secured a second 3-2 win over Chelmsford , with Nathan Oppelt proving instrumental, and their good form continued all the way to the final where they faced Medway once again.

Dawid Dabrowski put the Crusaders a goal up and Niko Miksiewicz made some crucial saves before Luke doubled his side’s lead. Preston Tombs and James Noble defended well and although Medway grabbed a late goal, it turned out to be just a consolation.

Crusaders picked up the Fair Play award as well as the tournament trophy and Niko, James, Preston and Luke won Dream Team Awards.

Following their tournament victory, the Crusaders will represent the UK at the European Championships in Germany next year.

Alison Anscombe, junior teams’ manager, said: “This was an amazing achievement for this small team, most of whom could hardly skate when they first came to Crusaders.”

Find out more about the Crusaders at www.crusaders.hitssports.com