HOCKEY CLUB It is a pleasure to run a club which boasts such talented players and committed coaches and it is no surprise that 2015 produced many highlights and successes. We were fortunate to secure the services of Peter Bennett as our hockey pro and his expertise, delivered with great energy and enthusiasm, was valued across the club. We also welcomed KMWS who was an excellent addition to our JC1 & 2 coaching team, as were JPJD and MGGD at Midgets 3. The return of GW did much to revive the fortunes of the 5th XI (bigside grockey as they prefer to be called) Once again, many of our Shells were introduced to the game and it is very pleasing to see so many of them, with little or no hockey experience, embrace the game which has a strong tradition of excellence at Radley College. I am confident that we achieved our goal of providing all of these boys with a fulfilling experience that will encourage them to continue with the sport. Congratulations to HC’s Midgets 2 and JRWB’s Midgets 5 teams for
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winning their ISHL leagues. Our Junior Colts were exceptional. JC2 and JC3 were unbeaten and secured the ISHL titles at a canter. In total this year group won 27 matches and lost just four, scoring a phenomenal 129 goals and conceding just 34. It is such a shame that despite their emphatic performances and the undoubted success, so many of these boys see themselves as footballers and will inevitably be lost to the club. We are strong at the top end and Colts 1 had a successful season, despite losing a couple of players to the 1st XI, but unfortunately the lure of football was too great for many and we were unable to field a Colts 3 team for the first time. Our 1st XI, under the expert guidance of DJC for the first time, recorded some excellent results against some very good teams this year and they could count themselves unlucky that they failed to convert a few of their draws and narrow losses into wins. It was a young team and they we can expect great things from them in the coming years. The 2nd XI had
THE RADLEIAN SPORTS SUPPLEMENT
Master in Charge: GR King Captain: JMI Todd
another good year and won their IHHL league along the way. The standard of hockey on our circuit is strong and to come away with block wins against Bradfield, St Edwards (we did not lose a match), Abingdon, MCS, Cheltenham (we won 11 out of the 15 matches) and Wellington was very rewarding. There is a lot to look forward to. A very strong group of juniors and a young 1st XI makes future success very achievable and with a third astroturf pitch on the way, grass hockey should be a thing of the past and the quality and quantity of training will undoubtedly improve. My thanks, as always, go to AJK and his ground staff for providing such excellent facilities, the team of dedicated coaches and the players, who often have to contend with terrible weather and unsociable training and match times.
GRK