Sports News from the Stoke College Pavilion

A review of some of the Stoke Sports matches of the season. Thank you to our graduate team, Miss Jones, Miss Bailey and Miss Summers, together with Year 13 students, Tom and Keziah for the reports.

U15 Girls Netball V Gosfield

We had a tough first match back. However good efforts were being made especially from Tanaka for her excellent ability to always find space and always moving around the pitch. Ruby also made great effort with the consistent attempt to get the ball and constant communication. The match was mainly defensive however we did manage to score a couple goals.

U18 Girls Netball V Gosfield

On Friday the 20th of January, 11 players on the under-18s Netball team ventured to Gosfield to play their first match of the season. With no prior training sessions, the team entered the match with a strong spirit, determined to work on their teamwork and be the most enthusiastic team.

As the game began the players were seemingly evenly matched but Charlotte’s phenomenal dodging together with fantastic shooting from Isla meant the team were two goals ahead at the end of the first quarter. The incredible shooting continued into the second quarter, with Sasha demonstrating the power of muscle memory, scoring the first time the ball was in her hands. Eloise was a force to be reckoned with as goalkeeper, working well with the defensive players to ensure the ball was quickly passed up the field, Matilda displaying an astonishing adaptability despite some aggressive playing from Gosfield.

In the third quarter, the team ramped up the pressure, Jess ensuring every shot counted and Kitty and Ruby creating an impenetrable defence while Sienna and Megan fought for possession at every turn, ensuring they passed practically and cleverly.

The 4th quarter ended with Keziah making her debut as centre, making some impressive interceptions, the team ending the game with a landslide victory of 17-8 and starting off the season with a bang. Player of the match went to Ruby B for her versatility and stamina. Well done to the team and to Miss Summers for excellent umpiring and we hope to see your great sportsmanship and enthusiasm continue throughout the season.

U18 Boys Football V Gosfield

On Friday the 20th of January, the U18 boys travelled to Gosfield for a football match. Due to the poor weather, the pitch was frozen and so we played a 6 aside tournament on the Astro turf. Both Gosfield and Stoke had an A and a B team. The tournament was very competitive with both Stoke teams putting in great displays of skill and courage. It ended with Stoke A winning 3/3 games without conceding while Stoke B drew 1 and lost 2 Man of the match goes to Patrick B who stopped many strong shots from going in.

U13 Boys Basketball V Gosfield

All of our year 7 and 8 boys represented the school against Gosfield in a round robin basketball tournament for their first taste of competitive basketball following units of work in their PE lessons. There was some excellent play on display from all, both in attack and defence with the boys taking an awful lot from the afternoon. Out of the four teams our Team 1 came 2nd and our Team 2 came 3rd with some excellent skills on show from Oskar M in particular with some excellent crossovers and Sam E for some brilliant long range shooting. The boys represented the school superbly in terms of their behaviour, application and commitment, well done all!

U18 Girls Netball V Gosfield

On the 24th of February, our under 18s girls played a netball match against Gosfield, it was a tough match with a few injuries despite this the girls carried through with passion and drive. Our attacking side: Jess, Sasha, Charlotte, Isla and Sienna played with resilience and determination even with some complications, especially Sasha achieving player of the match. While the defence: Megan, Keziah, Kitty and Eloise provided a strong restriction for the shooters. A special mention to Megan for her incredible defence, despite having a large fall.

U13 ISA Girls Netball Tournament

On the 27th of February the U13 netball team travelled to Ipswich High School to compete in the ISA tournament against nine other schools. The team fought well, with continuous communication and encouragement throughout each game. The matches were fast paced with minimal rest breaks but the team maintained their determination and effort across the day. Players of the match were Zoe B and Emily W for their excellent stamina while defending. The team won two of their matches and drew a third. Well played to the whole team.

U18 Girls Netball V TGS

On the 3rd of March our under 18s played a netball match against Thetford, the girls there were very strong competitors. Our defence, Kitty, Eloise, Keziah, Matilda and Megan put up a strong fight- especially Kitty achieving player of match. While our attacking side,

Sienna, Charlotte, Sasha and Isla persevered all the way through with high motivation under the pressure. With special mention to Sienna who played outstandingly and of course a big thank you to Miss Summers for her excellent umpiring and support to the team throughout.

U13 Boys Football V Thetford

All boys in year’s 7 and 8 made the long journey to Thetford Grammar for two football fixtures. The A’s unfortunately suffered a loss but learnt an awful lot from the game which they took into the games at Gosfield the following day. The B team however, for some of whom was their first time representing the school, won 1-0 with superb effort and dedication shown by all throughout! Well done boys!

U13 Boys Football V Gosfield

U13 Girls Netball V Gosfield

On the 9th of march the U13 netball team travelled to Gosfield school. The team dominated possession throughout the game, with Zoe B providing an exceptional link between the defensive and attacking thirds. A strong defence from Emily W prevented the opposing team from entering the defensive D, which when paired with Harriet G’s agile dodging led the ball straight into the attacking D for Lily C to clean up. The final score was 12-6 to Stoke. Player of the match went to Lily C for her incredible shooting. Congratulations and well played to the whole team.

U13 Boys Rugby V Gosfield

Our U13 rugby team travelled to Gosfield for a one off fixture to play one final rugby fixture of the season and it was certainly worth the wait! The boys applied themselves superbly and everything that Mr Khan and Mr Evans had been working on across the year seemed to click into place. We played 3 games winning 2 and drawing 1 with fantastic displays from all. It was hard to single out any particular individual as player of the day but Max C showed just how much he has improved this year with some monster tackles and superb carries including setting up a pivotal try in the final game.

We travelled to Gosfield for a 7 a side round robin tournament for the U13’s final football fixture playing 4 fixtures. We won 2, drew 1 and lost 1 game scoring 6 goals in the process. It was a great way to end the competitive football for the boys this term and righted some of the wrongs of the previous day’s game against Thetford whilst the boys enjoyed making many slide tackles on a slippery and muddy surface! Well done to all who represented the school superbly on the day!

U13 Girls Netball V Gosfield

On the 17th of March our under 18s played netball against Gosfield with a spectacular win! Despite the rainy conditions our girls played incredibly, the attacking side: Jess, Sienna, Charlotte, Sasha and Isla had a great performance. Special mention to Jess L who scored 14 goals! While our defending side: Matilda, Ruby, Kitty and Eloise played very strongly. Well done for Ruby B for achieving player of the match!