Match reports - Week 4

1st VII Netball v Bruton School for Girls (H)

On a bright, sunny, but bitterly cold afternoon, Sherborne Prep hosted Bruton School for Girls at the Sherborne Girls' netball courts. After a good warm up the girls were ready to do battle and both teams came out of the blocks quickly, with some fast passes down the court and some athletic interceptions. Sherborne seemed to struggle to move into space and the centre court players crowded each other. However, they eventually settled enough for Sherborne to take the upper hand, with reliable shooting from Emily and Imani, taking the team into the lead, 3-1 at quarter time.

The second quarter was by far the team's most successful, with the progress of the ball down the court being much smoother. Bruton were good defenders, however, and they read the game well, allowing them to intercept poor passes and also win any loose balls. Sherborne were 7-1 up at half time, again due to some impeccable shooting and also strong defence from Annabel and Nora, which prevented more goals from Bruton.

With such cold weather it was important to keep rotating the players off and so even the captain, the key shooters and defenders took their turn on the sideline. This allowed Bruton to get back into the game and probably resulted in a closer score, but in fairness Sherborne's superior shooting record never put the final result in any doubt. It is now important that the team learns the necessary lessons about getting free and creating space in preparation for their next competition.

Coach - Mrs Guy.

Final score: 12 - 7.

2nd Netball v Bruton

In Wednesday the Sherborne Prep 2nd netball team played Bruton 2nd team. Sherborne Prep won the match 8 - 4, however Bruton lifted their game and applied pressure in the second half. Alicia had an excellent game as GS, scoring the majority of the goals and was a very valuable player during the match. This was a great challenge for the girls but they played a good game and managed to come out with the win.

Win - 8-4

U11 Netball v Leweston

Leweston had a strong team, which gave our girls a challenge. They had to work very hard at getting free and keeping motivated. Our girls learnt that looking and seeing where each other are is better than shouting for each other, which is what we have been working on and it got put into practice in the second half. Mahiro and Amelia M were voted players of the match by the other team. Poppy I feel played very well as Goal shooter too.

Lost - 10-2

U10 Netball v Leweston

The Under 10s played Leweston in an extremely well matched game. Leweston scored 1st with Sherborne scoring soon after in the 1st 1/4. No one scored during the 2nd ¼, then 2 goals from Sherborne in the 3rd 1/4 to give a final score of 3-1. Everyone played really well and showed good adaptability in different positions especially Mary-Ryan, who until this term has only played basketball and went on to be player of the match. As a team they need to organise their passing down the court, but defensively they are all fantastic at interceptions. Well played everyone great result.

Win 3-1

U9 Netball v Perrott Hill

The U9 girls played Perrott Hill on an exceptionally cold afternoon. All the girls played in a variety of positions to enable them to develop in every aspect. Everyone without exception played well and showed good ball skills, spatial awareness and looking forward in play. Tilly was outstanding in every position she played and made great interceptions and always found lots of space. Georgina and Constance showed great defending and interceptions. The final score of 7-0 was only due to their better shooting skills and not to the play on court. Well done girls.

Lost 7-0

Hockey Boys 1st v Taunton Prep

The next match was against an attacking Taunton Prep side. The A squad score line says 0-7 but the performance improved as the game went on and if Sherborne Prep had possessed a natural goal scorer then the result would have been much closer. We created, but squandered, too many chances.

The B squad match had a similar feel as Sherborne Prep started slowly, but as they worked harder, they produced some promising hockey, closely missing out on a couple of goals. Both teams' attitudes were excellent, they did not let their heads go down and worked hard till the final whistle.

Lost 7-0

Hockey Boys 3rd Team v Taunton Prep 3rds

On a bitterly cold afternoon, Sherborne faced up against a very strong Taunton thirds outfit. Almost immediately, Sherborne were on the back foot and were being pounded with shots that either narrowly missed or were excellently saved by goalkeeper Artem. Despite this, the boys managed to conjure up a few dangerous counter attacks with good work from Ali and Felix down the left hand side. Unfortunately they couldn't quite convert their chances. Eventually Taunton Prep found their range and went into the half-time break 3-0 up.

The second half began in a similar manner with Taunton pushing for more goals. Despite some good pressure, Artem continued to impress with yet more superb saves. Eventually the pressure told and there were just one too many rebound opportunities in front of goal. With the score at 7-0, Sherborne somehow managed to motivate themselves once more. Toby surged down the right hand side and crossed the ball to Jake. Jake then slammed the ball towards goal but somehow the ball crept passed the post. Although it was a resounding defeat, credit must go to the whole team for continuing to battle away despite the harsh conditions. Man of the match goes to goalkeeper Artem.

Lost 7-0

2nd XI v Taunton

Taunton had superior stick skills, but Sherborne Prep had the determination and the desire. Alas, not too many attacking opportunities but an outstanding defence, led ably by Captain Tom and assisted magnificently by Henry B in goal. Everyone tried their hardest but Arthur and Ben in defence and Rohan in attack did well and Christian soldiered manfully on in the bitter cold in spite of a 'dead leg'. Well done.

Lost 0-2

U11 A hockey V Taunton Prep

A match to warm the heart on such a bitter day. A truly compelling match of end to end action. Again the U11's managed to take till half time to rise to the challenge. After the break though Sherborne Prep started to play with a lot more conviction.

Movement off the ball was much better and a few flashes of individual skill created plenty of space to play into. With the score 1-1 at half time it took a series of good interplay down the right hand side of the pitch between Harry and Tom. Harry to create the opportunity. Sherborne then sat back too much, not closing the ball down and allowing Taunton to play in our D. We were guilty at times of trying to pass through the opposition, rather than round and this led to us conceding the equalizer.

The winner came after another good move and required some fantastic skill from Daniil to score the winner. Great perseverance from all the lads in such testing conditions and when trying to work the ball around the opposition rather than through Sherborne are proving a difficult team to beat. Man of the match went to Daniil for his consistent effort and deft touches in the opposition D.

Win 3-2

Hockey U10A VII v Taunton School

A gorgeous day in Taunton matched the slightly 'different' astro-turf to which we had become accustomed, but a really excellent surface if only one had the right studs! We slipped around somewhat and were comprehensively outplayed by the home side in the first half, as we defended resolutely, spiritedly and successfully as it turned out. But it was real 'backs-to-the-wall' stuff against a Taunton outfit that had exceptional positional and stick skills, while we chased our hearts out and had to thank Alex L. in goal for half-a-dozen saves in quick succession to keep his sheet clean. Meanwhile just before the break we somehow 'stole' a goal at the opposite end completely against the run of play.

It was all dramatically different in the second half. We seemed to wake up and almost 'grow up' as it honestly looked like a different set of players with face masks who then performed quite brilliantly to the end. It was Sherborne that without apparent warning showed the 'nouse', skill, and intelligence to win the game with a degree of comfort. We were good, playing attractive 'possession', confident hockey and well done to every player involved! Arty S. and Roly N. were outstanding at the back; Sam R., Rob H. and George C. were superb in midfield; while Matt L. overcame the rustiness of not having played for a week, still not fully fit and having been thrown cruelly into the deep end by the coach into a new, totally different position.

At the final whistle, Sam L. was the first I congratulated for his vital contribution in the early stages, even if he did not touch the ball once in the second half. As a team we were magnificent and managed goals in different ways, with the last two truly memorable. One was created by Rob's run into space on the right, three defenders beaten, a perfect squared cross and a thumping finish of which any striker would be proud. The fourth came from a dazzling individual burst through the middle then into the right of the 'D' by Sam R. and the finish to match.

No complacency can set in after two wins in eight days with four goals apiece - there's still loads to learn and many tough times ahead.

Result: Won 4 - 0

Coach - Christopher Bass

U10B hockey v Taunton Prep

This was a difficult match for our B team boys who found it very hard to get out of our half and spent a big part of the match defending with Jamie, Sam, William and Joshua taking turns to keep Taunton at bay. Benedict by far the best player on show working very hard to link the defence with the attack and to play long balls to our forwards Toby and Felix. Victor had a go at midfield with Luca playing on the right wing.

Taunton created a few great scoring opportunities but found our gallant goalkeeper Sam Y unyielding. When the match ended for the A's (we were playing in tandem) our boys gave a sigh of relief believing their match was going to end then but the referee played on for a few minutes and in those few minutes we were caught napping off a short corner, disaster struck! Taunton went 1 up!

The players were congratulated for their effort and encouraged to take every game to the limit. We will definitely do well this term if we improve our passing and support play to get that forward attacking movement. A good start.

Lost 1-0

Posted: Friday, February 3, 2012