Boys Sport U10C Report
U9C Report
The U10C team headed to Dean Close for their last hockey fixture this term, looking to preserve their unbeaten season and finish on a high note. Our six players came up against a much bigger squad, and an opposition who were able to bring on fresh legs throughout the match; physically, our boys faced quite a challenge!
It was a fine day for a fine match. All the Year 4 boys were determined to ensure that this contest, the final match of the season, ended with a victory. It was our last hockey match in Lower School, and everyone wanted to make his mark. The sun was shining, the atmosphere was charged, and we were pitted against a worthy opponent.
Most of the first twenty minutes was played in our own half, with our defence working tirelessly to repel sustained pressure from our opponents. However, one defensive lapse just before the break saw Dean Close take the lead, only for us to reply immediately after a strong run and finish from our midfield past a static opposition keeper.
We spent the first half of the match predominantly in the other team's 'D', and took some excellent shots at goal. Sadly none crossed the line. The boys were using all the skills they had learnt: the ball was being pushed into open space, passes were beautiful, the teamwork was impeccable. The opposition were clearly in for a hard time. Despite the best hockeysbeing played since Mr. Whybrow was a boy, since the ancient Egyptians painted their match reports on walls, since College first beat Radley, no goal was either scored or conceded in the first half.
Sensing the need to put their ‘keeper under pressure, we began the second half confidently, taking the lead after some flimsy defending by the home team. However, having worked hard to get our noses in front, a harmless ball forward which was heading wide was played back into the danger area by our own defence, and Dean Close duly capitalised with a fortuitous equaliser. Despite further late pressure from Dean Close, our defence remained solid and assured, and the game looked set to end as a 2-2 draw which, on balance, would have been a fair result and a just reward for some tireless running from our midfielders and attackers. One last attack from our tiring team saw a shot from distance, which would have gone wide, sliced into his own goal by the luckless home ‘keeper, and highlighted for our boys the importance of never giving up until the very end. We had just three shots on goal in the whole match to Dean Close’s ten, but made them all count. I would like to praise all the players for their effort, energy and determination on the day. With no substitutes, our five outfield players covered a huge amount of ground, whilst our own ‘keeper made numerous crucial blocks and clearances. It was most pleasing to see the team putting into practice the skills we have worked on in training, both in defence, but also in attack, and taking our chances when they come.
Prep for The Week Issue Number 1885 9 March 2018
After a brief but very intense team talk we were back on the pitch, a bit bemused by the ever-growing crowd of onlookers we were attracting. And we set about winning. The second half was simply astonishing. Once again the ball was kept in the opposition half and some incredible teamwork among the attackers resulted in several fine shots at goal. Finally, inevitably, the single, all-important goal was scored, prompting exaltation in the team and not a little relief. Not long after the final whistle was blown the U9C team stood proudly, arm in arm, shouting their three cheers and confident in the knowledge they had given the match their all. It has been a rollercoaster of a season, but the boys have shown camaraderie, resilience and perseverance throughout. They took every opportunity offered, left no team unchallenged and need have no regrets. The Latin Ode tells us 'carpe diem' [Seize the day]. And the U9Cs did. Every match.
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