Boys’ Hockey

1st XI

A hard-working, committed and fun group of players made up the 1st XI this year. With a small group having trained throughout Michaelmas Term, the team were well prepared for the main season in January, but there were two cup matches to play in November. Firstly, a long away trip to Canford that will be remembered more for Rui Palmer’s lack of appropriate clothing and Will Windows’ cover drive than it will for the result of the match (0-3). This was followed up by an outstanding 4-1 win over Warminster School. In January the squad was reassembled and beat Queen’s Taunton (6-0) in the opening block. There followed a tough defeat at the hands of Taunton, which was quickly put to bed by arguably the best performance of the season against Millfield. Although a draw, it was nothing short of outstanding. Will Maloney’s goal will be spoken about for some time. Pete Carter’s marshalling and influence in the midfield was exemplary and both Sonny Walton and Zaki Adamson’s goalline clearances showed just how committed they were to the team. The latter stages of the season were challenging and it wasn’t until the Kingswood game (a 6-4 win) that results started to pick up again. Tom Kipling won the coach’s player of the year after performing consistently in goal. On occasion he single-handedly changed the course of the match with some fine saves and bravery. Zaki Adamson received the player’s player award for his ability to tackle any player who dared take him on, even if it did result in a head injury.

Adam Dixon

2nd XI

This year’s 2nd XI saw an able group of players who were keen to play a good standard of hockey and enjoy their games, which are the key priorities at this level. The first half of term saw some high-scoring encounters, resulting in an average scoreline over four fixtures of 4.5-3.75 in our favour. In reality this was due to three comfortable wins by Clifton, and one humbling 1-12 defeat at Taunton School. Our goal was a good one though…

In the second half of term we unfortunately had to wait until the final fixture for a fourth win of the season, but this one was completed in style, with a 5-0 defeat of Prior Park away in Bath. I would like to commend the squad for their approach to training and matches. We were lucky to have a very consistent squad, and this helps to create a cohesive and supportive environment. Shay Sainsbury was kept busy in goal, and Fraser Davis, Ollie Hunter and Will Stoodley tended to marshal the defence, albeit sometimes in an unconventional manner! Jacob Thompson, Adam El Kilany and Tom Dyer were dependable forces in various areas of the pitch, and we were blessed with plenty of skill and pace from Oscar Wang, Sam Russ and Josh Paulin. A special mention goes to Ryan Kilmister for his captaincy and obliging sweeping in front of the defensive line. One highlight for me as a coach was to have Greta Alfes and Orla Oswin-Heritage join us for the last three fixtures, which further improved the dynamic of the squad, and was an appropriate nod to Clifton’s co-educational values. I thoroughly enjoyed the season, finishing with four wins and four losses, none of them particularly close! I am confident all the players did too.

Gilbert Simmons

U16a

As the Lent Term arrived, a squad split between Year 10 and 11 players was assembled with the majority slightly in favour of Year 10 due to the promotion of some talented Year 11 individuals into the first XI. The season opened with a 10-1 win against Queen’s, Taunton. It was a match not representative of the tough fixture card that was to follow and the team came back to earth with a bump as they lost 0-3 to Taunton School. However, this match was a tremendous fixture with Clifton going toe-to-toe with a highly skilled and very talented Taunton side. Lessons were certainly learnt as the team continued their excellent level of hockey from the previous match into the next fixture, a National Cup Tier 1 match against King’s Bruton. Recovering from conceding the first goal, a devastating five-minute period at the start of the second half saw Clifton score three goals and move into a 4-1 lead. Eventually this high tempo game, which was exhausting enough for those watching, ended in a 4-2 victory for Clifton.

As March arrived, the team began a set of three difficult fixtures in seven days. Coinciding with a spate of Covid infections, injuries and other school commitments, the squad was left thin and the players were pushing themselves towards their limit. The fixtures started well as Clifton beat a strong King Edward’s School U18B team with almost the final hit of the match, to huge on-pitch celebrations. Next up was a talented Millfield line up in round 4 of the National Cup. They would have proved formidable opposition at the best of times, but the absence of key Clifton players was challenging. Despite showing plenty of heart in the first half, it was all Clifton could do to try and end the match with 11 able players, most of whom were playing out of position. The result was a comfortable and deserved Millfield win (5-1) but the team should be very proud of all they gave to the Clifton jersey that day.

Supported from the sidelines by a number of injured and recovering players, a further depleted team produced a truly special performance as they pulled off another outstanding last minute 3-2 victory against the Kingswood School U18B XI. It was thoroughly inspiring to see the extent to which the team were willing to go for each other.

Overall, six wins and only two losses provide impressive stats for a difficult fixture card but stats do not tell the full story. The season should be celebrated for performances of stamina, technicality and heart from the first to the last minute of every single match. The level of hockey from Clifton and some of the visiting teams made it an absolute pleasure to spectate and, ultimately, observe a team of talented players learning, developing and improving together. This is what sport is all about.

Gary Catchpole