A CHESTER school teacher has finished as the top scorer in the biggest indoor hockey tournament in the country for the second season running.

But Simon Egerton’s exploits were unable to inspire his club side to glory in Sunday’s Super Sixes Championships finale in front of 5,000 fans at Wembley Arena.

The England indoor and outdoor international, a PE teacher at The King’s School, was the player-coach of the Bowdon team that lost 11-3 to Beeston in the semi-finals of the Sky Sports-televised event.

Egerton scored twice in the defeat to take his tally up to 27 goals in nine games. That was two better than the 25 he scored last season when he was also crowned the leading marksman in the championships, which brings together the best six-a-side hockey teams in England during the winter months.

Egerton, 27, said: “I couldn’t have done it without the help of my team-mates.

“We nearly got relegated out of our division last season so to reach the semi-finals is an achievement in itself.”

Although Bowdon’s second-placed finish in the Premier Division ensured they reached the finals for the first time, it was the second year in succession that Egerton enjoyed the Wembley experience.

He was the coach of the Bowdon ladies team which won the women’s title in 2011.

Egerton said: “It is a fantastic experience and for many of our players it was the biggest match they may ever play in.

“The venue is right on the doorstep of the football stadium and the butterflies really kick in when you get there.”

Egerton is no stranger to the big occasion.

He scored on his full debut for the outdoor England team against then Olympic and World champions Germany and he was a member of the England squad which won the 2010 EuroHockey Nations Trophy.

Egerton, who is indebted to the support he receives from The King’s School, is now turning his attention to the conclusion of the outdoor season and helping Bowdon survive relegation from the top-flight of English hockey.

But his longer-term aim is to win a place in the Great Britain squad that will compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.