by Mike Vimpany

Itchen Sixth Form College’s all-conquering 1st XI has reclaimed the Hampshire Premier championship crown in convincing style.

It is the eighth time in the past ten years that Itchen have won the title, and of all their title successes this was possibly their most dominant.

They remained unbeaten in the league this season, dropping just two points along the way in a 1-1 draw at Farnborough College.

The title was secured with an impressive 4-0 win at Andover College, the only team who had a mathematical chance of catching them prior to the game.

Itchen finished seven points clear of second placed Farnborough with a game in hand.

Last year’s champions, Peter Symonds, the only college to keep the trophy away from the Itchen cabinet in the past ten years, finished in fourth place this time around.

"This group rates amongst the very best that we’ve had in the history of the college’ said coach James Taylor.

"We’ve had some great teams in the past, but what sets this group apart is the way in which they have gelled as a unit.

"It has been so rewarding to see them develop, both individually and collectively, and with so many first year students in the squad, the future looks really exciting’.

The strength of the team is reflected in the fact that they have reached Good Friday's semi- final of the English Colleges’ national knockout cup, a prestigious competition that attracts over a hundred colleges from all parts of England and Wales.

Itchen face London team St Charles’ College in the semi-final of the competition at Middle Road, Sholing, on Friday, 1.30pm, their West London opponents having already won the English Schools FA Under-18 Cup.