112 | SOTONIENSIS 2016
U13B Hockey The U13B boys’ hockey season started off with a 7-a-side game versus a strong RGS Guildford side resulting in a 1-3 loss. Perhaps if the game had been played later in the season it may have been a different result. Conversely, the first 11-a-side fixture came against PGS resulting in an 11-0 victory to KES. This match showcased the brilliant attacking play of this team, a sign of things to come throughout the season. This form continued as Hampshire Collegiate School and Lord Wandsworth were dispatched 8-1 and 3-0 respectively. The next two fixtures were to be a true test of the quality of this U13B team against traditionally strong opposition in Magdalen College and St George’s College Weybridge. Both these matches ended in draws with KES defending resolutely and counter-attacking with speed. The St George’s game was particularly impressive as the U13Bs showed real character to come back from 2 goals down at half-time to equalise and push for a winner. After this came another big win versus Stroud before a loss to Churcher’s College in a very tight game. Despite losing the boys learnt a great deal from this match. Most of all the team had a tendency to over-commit in attack which was highlighted against the greater opposition in the form of Churcher’s. This lesson served them well in their final fixture of the season against Kingston Grammar School. Fittingly, the U13Bs saved their best performance until last against an extremely competent opposing side. They created many opportunities and finished clinically, as well as keeping their defensive shape to record a very impressive 3-0 victory.
Played: 9 Won: 5 Drew: 2 Lost: 2
This group of boys has a great deal of potential. Their attacking build-up play is fluid and fast which led to very high scores in many of their fixtures and has been a pleasure to watch and to coach. In the next few seasons the players in this team need to work a little on their basic skills and their positional and defensive discipline and this will no doubt produce even greater results next season.
Henry Thould
Squad members: Sacha Groom, Dominic Goddard, Anthony Rogers, Tom Sutton, Pierre Forster, Torin Atchley, Rufus Taylor, Luke Ward, Theo Roberts, James Bristowe (C), Josh Williams, Tom Hand, Noah Inada-Kim, Archie Stokes, Harry Webster, Will Booth, Will Jackson, Will Bench-Jones, Daniel Erwig and Ben Axton
U13C & D Hockey Unfortunately there was only a limited opportunity for those boys who represented the C and D teams to show their skills once the RGS Guilford games had to be cancelled. However, they played well and with enthusiasm, showing that with more perseverance and continued hard work in games lessons, and after school practices, they could be pushing for places in the B team next year. The C Team lost to Ryde U13B in a close match but produced a stunning performance to beat St George’s Weybridge by 5 goals to 2. In their only match the D team were outplayed by a clinical St George’s team.
C Team - Played: 2 Won: 1 Drew: 0 Lost: 1 D Team - Played: 1 Won: 0 Drew: 0 Lost: 1
My thanks to those who played and all who attended after school training.
Mr Wood Squad members: Ben Axton, James Bristowe, Will Booth, Will BrenchJones, George Butler, Edward Dare, Daniel Erwig, Kai Hammond, Tom Hand, Tom Holliday, Noah Inada-Kim, James McIlroy, Alex Miles, Jamie Reid, Sam Richards, Theo Roberts, Billy Smith, Sam Smith, Archie Stokes, Rufus Taylor, Tom Woodcock, Harry Webster Josh Williams, and Jonty Yonge.