Freezing matches with some great results

Cross Country

The first cross country event of the calendar was at Canford in their annual parkland mile run. This is for Years 6 and 7 and a team event for 4 people. All our boys and girls ran superbly and although they won't tell you directly, they all enjoyed themselves. The Year 6 Boys team were 2nd with George C 6th, Tom D 7th, Sam R 12th and Thomas H 18th. The Year 6 Girls were 5th with Mia R 7th, Constance C 25th, Emma K 27th and Petra 29th. The Year 7 Boys were 2nd with Patrick R 4th, Milo D 10th, Jordan B 14th and Oscar L 18th. The Year 7 Girls were 3rd with Emily W 10th, Annabel H 13th, Sophie M 18th and Rose T 20th. A great fun day for all concerned.

U8 & U9 Netball v Bruton Girls

All the Junior girls travelled to Bruton School for Girls on an exceptionally cold wed 8th Feb. The U8 and U9 played 2 separate games against a Bruton mixed team as they have only 12 girls in total, The U9s dominated their part of the game with Maddy at GA and Alice P at Centre.

The defence unfortunately didn't see much play in this period and Sherborne led 3-0, the second period was much the same with another 2 goals being scored by Sherborne with Tilly and Alice P shooting. The last period the U9 played no goals were scored but still Sherborne showed domination and good spacing on court as well as positional play.

The next two periods were played by U8s +1 U9. All of the U8 girls showed a great improvement on the game against Park yesterday (although they were U9/U8 mix) and again great attacking play and a very even game followed with both sides scoring a goal each. Amelia played well in centre and Florence T made good interceptions, Hannah showing huge improvements in defending.

Won 5-0

U10 Netball V Bruton Girls

The U10s dominated their game completely and would have had a higher score but were playing on full height posts. All the girls showed good positional play down court, great interceptions were made by Barwaqo and Hermoine which were always fed back into the attack well. Peps and Millie showed great maturity in learning that they had to change their play in the circle as the defence were tall and showed great use of the area and their positional play. Sherborne had a much deserved 3-2 win although they deserved a greater score margin. Excellent play by all the team but especially Millie and Peps.

Won 3-2

U11 Netball V Bruton

Finally the U11s played a reasonably strong team but didn't show their usual flair. They linked the ball well down court with Petra keeping control of the game. Phoebe showed more strength as WA and showed how much she has learnt this term. Amelia W played exceptionally well against a very strong GA and worked hard on tight marking and making good interceptions, deservedly being named as player of the match. There was still too much crowding around the ball and not moving out to make space on court. A good team performance with areas to build on after half term. All the girls played well and showed great enthusiasm on a bitterly cold afternoon.

U.10 'A' v The Park School

We enjoyed an excellent preparation for this match with opposition from our own U.11 'A' team two days before, giving us the experience of playing against not only older boys but quicker and more powerful ones. This is what probably gave us that vital confidence to perform as we did ultimately against The Park on a bitterly cold afternoon.

However, I was surprised that some of us failed to pay due regard to the weather with too few layers of clothing and a distinct lack of gloves and headgear. Accordingly it took some time for us to really get into this game and then, as ever, we saved our best till last. In fact, we managed some sublime hockey in the second half with excellent passing, good movement off the ball, increased awareness and some aggressive finishing.

The plaudits must go on this occasion to our midfield trio of Robert H., Sam R. and George C. - each tackled, intercepted and stopped the ball skilfully and bravely, while their better use of space was a joy to behold. This was particularly true on the right and perhaps Robert caught the eye more than any in providing a feast-full of opportunities with dynamic crosses into the 'D'. Sam always seems to save his best for match days and this was no exception; he is an outstanding passer of the ball because he has both the vision and technique, now all he needs is to find a stronger stick! George is wonderfully mercurial: hugely talented, great stick-work, full of courage, unselfish, very frustrating! As a team, we netted seven, of which four came in the final eight minutes.

Next cometh Hall Grove on Friday, an U11 team from Surrey on tour. Again we will take them on at 2.00 pm on HH and this should prove a severe test of both our nerve and our resolve. Alex L. should be kept busy, as will Roly N. and Arty S., as will our midfield, as will the 'enigmatic' but highly skilled Matt L. who should at least have a boosted confidence after bagging a 'hat-full' of goals today.

Result: Won 7 - 0

Coach - Christopher Bass

Boys Hockey

2nd XI v Port Regis

This was a strong PR team who had better stick skills than us - an area we shall have to concentrate on after half-term - and we were unlucky to lose our captain, Tom C, early in the game when he received a painful blow on the foot, to add insult to injury PR scored from the resultant penalty corner! Henry B had another outstanding game in goal - without him the score would have been much worse - and George S showed some excellent touches. Effort was good but PR were better!

Lost - 0-7

Posted: Friday, February 10, 2012