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Football 1st XI
Cross Country The cross country team competed in the East Midlands Independent Schools Cross Country League, with matches held at Uppingham, Welbeck, Stamford and Nottingham.
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The girls had a particularly successful season: in the league they won bronze medals, while Lydia Trow won individual silver for her overall performance in the matches contested. The girls’ relay team that competed at the KHVIII, which included Lydia and Hannah Trow, Alice Smith and Becky Straw, were awarded commemorative badges after finishing fourth from twenty-nine teams competing; Becky’s final lap time of 13’05’’ won her a gold medal, and was the second fastest time in the twentieth year of this prestigious event.
Becky Straw and Hannah Trow represented Hereford and Worcestershire in the English Schools’ Cross Country Championships, while Becky was also a member of the victorious England Team in the Home Nations International in Antrim, finishing seventh and winning team gold in the process. The Senior and Colts boys’ teams, while unable to replicate the success of the girls, nevertheless performed creditably under the captaincy of George Smallman. Chi Fan finished all his races in his own inimitable style, while Ross Johnston (awarded the Halstead cup as most improved runner) was our best male competitor. At MANISCC the colts finished fourth. Well done to all squad members for their hard work. R Watkins
The 2011 season will be remembered as the most successful football term in Bromsgrove history as they reached the semi-finals of the LB Cup, won the Northern section of the Mercian League and defeated Clifton in the Mercian League Final to become champions for the first time. After being selected by opposition coaches, Alex McGarry and Luke Sparrow also played for the ‘Northern League’ team in an inaugural representative match against the best players from the Southern League. At the end of term Luke Sparrow and Dan Gaffney were awarded their School caps. The season started with a thoroughly undeserved 2-1 victory against the Old Bromsgrovians. The LB cup campaign started with a 2-0 victory over St Edwards, but a 3-1 defeat against Radley meant Bromsgrove and Rugby played each other to go through as group runners up. In an exciting game, a Rugby equaliser to Ryan Loughlin’s opening goal meant that Bromsgrove were going out with ten minutes left to play. However, just after an outstanding Chris Johnson save, Tom Knowles scored the winner to put Bromsgrove through. In the quarter finals at Loughborough, and 1-0 down at half-time, we saw that ‘never say die attitude’ once again as goals from James Gilchrist and Mo Abubakar put us through to the semifinals.
The three hour coach journey to Spalding United’s ground coupled with good home support proved to be too much and a 1-0 loss against Spalding Grammar School meant the end of the cup run but a proud campaign nonetheless. In the Mercian League three away matches resulted in an excellent 2-0 win at Oundle, followed by a 2-2 draw at Uppingham and a 2-1 win against Wellingborough. Two home draws against Denstone (2-2), and Loughborough (1-1) and a 3-0 away victory over RGS meant the final game against Welbeck would decide the title. A good game resulted in a 2-2 draw with goals from Luke Sparrow and Ryan Gordon. Bromsgrove topped the league, winning the Northern section for the first time and booking their place in the Mercian League Final! At Ludlow Town FC, we lined up against the winners of the Southern League – Clifton College. Both teams came into the final with good defensive records and it was no surprise that a tight game remained goalless at half-time. With just two minutes of normal time left, Alex McGarry headed home a Loughlin flick-on to send the Bromsgrove players and supporters wild and the 1st XI had become Mercian League Champions. Congratulations to all who played a part in both league and cup success.