Hockey

tirelessly on ourbehalfhiding his frustration particularly well. We owe him much thanks and praise. There were lots of good things, too. Four genuine colours were awarded. Andrew Johnson led from the front, running miles each game and covering acres of ground, tackling everything. James Edmundson and Baba Sijuwade were the strong men, full of upper body strength and able to rip the ball from loose play and develop attacks. Matthew Day developed as a fine defensive player, and one able to attack effectively when he had the chance. None ofus could hide our delight at the advance of Dennis Borissov, new to the game but a bundle of energy and speed. Pity the opposition wing who was clattered by that young man's Russian tackle. There were many moments when it was a joy to be associated with the team, but it has to be said that each was short and the gap between their appearances too long. If I wrote earlier that I was disappointed, I suspect I really meant frustrated. This was a set offifteen willing athletes not quite managing to operate as a team in a sport where the ability to work for the common cause is of paramount importance.

I am grateful for the performances ofthe following, who represented the side frequently:- C.R. Holmes, M.J.A. Day*, T-W.M. Kuo, T.E. Morgan, N.R. Bennett, T.W. Sisley, D. Borissov, C.A.C. Santo, M.J.H. Walker, A.E. Christie, P.B. Cleghorn, P.R. Everett, N.J. Edmundson*, U.D. Patel, G. Sijuwade*, J.E.G. Parrett, G.D.B. Stiff, A.S. Johnson* *indicates colours. D. Badger This season was better than many, but not as good as some. Forthe first time, we played a squad of 12, which meant that we rolled the substitutes on and off at regular intervals. It happens all the time in league hockey, but I don't think it pleased our players much. We also tried a different system with a forward sweeper, who dropped back to a traditional position if we were hard-pressed. The team's captain, Simon West, took on this role and because a potent attacking force. What a fine player and captain Simon proved to be and I'm sure that Australian hockey is benefiting from his participation now. The rest of the defence was made up from George Horton on the left, and two L6th players, Chris. Thomson in the middle and Ben Sunnucks on the right. Both ofthese players became sure tacklers and with some good stick work, were able to join our attack, giving through Ben, an extra force down therightside. Behind these and developing fast into an excellent keeper, Mat. Sabine. The midfield remained fairly constant in its personnel, but positions for each individual changed. Most constant were Mark Critchley on the right `wing' who, with his speed and developing skills, scored many an exciting goal. What a tremendous attacking weapon he was. The two centre mid-field players were a bit like Little and Large : Peter Posnette, shorter, hard-working and volatile and James Simmonds, six foot something, elegant and usually placid. On the whole, they worked well together, but it was often difficult to know who was playing where. Ben Woodcock played left wing, but so did Tom Horton, who also played centre forward quite a lot. Ben had the advantage of speed, but often ended-up going nowhere. He did give us good service and with two fair wings we did manage to get behind many a defence. Tom always wanted to be a centre forward and he often joined Martin Sands up front and between them, they managed to score, and to miss, quite a good number ofgoals. A good'ish season, which started slowly, but we managed to win and draw more than we lost, and I think the players could be pleased with the way the team developed. My thanks to Simon who became a really good captain, gaining the respect of all, both as a player and a leader.

St. Edmunds D Chatham House L Hurstpierpoint W SimonLangton L Cranbrook W Blundells W St. Lawrence L Caterham D Skinners W King's Rochester W 2-2 2-3 3-I 2-5 5-1 3-2 2-5 4-4 3-0 2-0

Team: M. Sabine, S. West (Capt.), G. Horton, C. Thomson*, B. Sunnucks, B. Woodcock, T. Horton, P. Posnette*, J. Simmonds*, M. Critchley*, M. Sands,

* Full colours.

Played 7 Won 2, drawn 1, lost 4 Things got from bad to better this season at a steady rate: we decided to get our worst defeats out of the way at the beginning ofterm (6-0,4-0, 2-0) before a 1-1 draw with Cranbrook. The team played well in this match for the first time. We then had a set back with Caterham before rising to two great victories! It was noticeable that both of these wins were on grass and for both of them Tim Watts had joined the team after an injury. The tactics were very straigthforward - hit the ball hard down the pitch, allow it to bounce over the defenders sticks and Tim Watts will find it. We beat Skiners 2-1 (Janes and Watts) and King's Rochester 3-1 (Slattery and Janes 2). We had quite a young side this year and often players fiddled with the ball too long before passing and frequently gave the ball to the opposition. In the last 2 matches however, the players had learnt by their mistakes and really played well. They passed quicker and worked well together as a team - it was good to see the progress throughout the season. Robert Gladwin did well in goal over the term - although he let many goals in, he kept a huge number out! John Milstead captained the side and always hit the ball well. Tom Janes scored most goals and cards. I was pleased overall with the attitude of the team members who seemed to get on well together and enjoyed playing for the team. Also I should like to thank our regular supporting parents who came to most matches. Team: Gladwin, Wootton, Milstead, Slattery, Harrison, Parkinson, Jordan, Walker, Shahrad, Reynolds, Janes, Watts, Pratten.

GRP

The Girls 1st XI had another successful season although perhaps not outstanding, for we did lose a couple of games but we made it through to the last eight in the County Championships and the John Taylor Tournament. We had lost only a few players from the previous season and by switching a few positions and bringing in three U 16 players, we were able to makeup for the losses Lizzie Parrett became captain and made a tremendous contribution as such and as sweeper, a position that she came to play with enormous composure. Katie Slaughter, skilful and deceptively fast; Emma Wills, hard working and determined and Jo Woods, learning fast and wicked with tackle, together with Jo Leggat in goal, made up the defensive quintet. Join goal developed tremendously throughout the term, and the whole defence was more than a match for most attacks, except perhaps Ardingly. Even ifwe didn't get the ball, we made it very difficult for the attacker to get past us. This was lucky indeed, for we struggled for goals at the other end, for quite a time. The mid field was made up ofnew-corners on the left side, with left wing Rebecca Lacey and Katie Simmonds in the middle, buy the right side had somewhat older hands, with Madelaine Gearourwide and Amy Lovegrove, con- verting from centre forward, in the middle. These four, particularly the right side created so many chances, many of which were missed. It is not surprising that "Brad", eventually took it on herselfto try shooting. We had two very different centre forwards: Emily Ward, with immense energy, rushing around making everybody's life difficult, and Deniz Asar (Timor's sister), who was much more deliberate, with some fine skills, but rather less speed. We did score goals and Emily ended the season as the team's top scorer. My thanks to Lizzie for her hard work both on and off the pitch. Duke of Yorks W 9-0 St. Lawrence L 0-1 Ardingly L 2-4 St. Edmunds W 4-0 Dover College W 1-0 Ashford W 1-0 King's Canterbury D 2-2 Cranbrook W 3-2 Kent College W 2-0 Eastbourne D 0-0 Team:J. Leggat*, L. Parret (Capt.), E. Wills*, J. Woods, K. Slaughter*, R. Lacey, K. Simmonds, A. Lovegrove*, M. Gear, E. Ward, D. Asar*, * Full colours. JLRP

Girls Second's Hockey Report School(TWIGGS). We all played extremely well in this match and drew against them as well, meaning we The team was a little disorganised at the beginning of were in the Plate Competition. the year, however we persevered and drew our first We got through to the final of this competition and had match against St Lawrence - even though we were 2- to play St Lawrence. This was a very exciting game 0 down at half-time. From then on the season and afterthe final whistle blew we were drawing, this continued to be successful. The climax was a brilliant meant only one thing - Penalty Flicks!! This was a victory over Dover College, winning 6-0 including a problem, as none of us had practiced these. We hat trick by Sally Pagonakis, two goals by Belinda surprised ourselves and eventually ended up playing Upton and the first goal ever scored by Flic Lynes, sudden death, which we unfortunately lost. Our having been moved up from defence to mid-field. overall position was 10th out ofthe 16 teams, which The highlight ofour season was being allowed to play was a very pleasing achievement for us. in the John Taylor Tournament. This is usually only Every member of the team must be thanked for their for I st X1 hockey teams, but due to St Edmunds being commitment and contribution to the squad. Beccy our unable to play we were required to makeup numbers. reliable goalie, superb defence from Clare Shaw, We were not expected to do well but we all went along Michelle Buckler, Vikki Summers, Liz Baillie and to play as best we could and enjoy ourselves - even Gemma Hopkin. The midfield players, Flic Lynes and though it was snowing and freezing cold. In the first Alison Brannan (Capt) were great defenders and at round we lost to Cranbrook 1-0, which lowered our the same time superb in attack. The attacking four, morale. However, we drew against Kent College Belinda Upton, Sally Pagonakis, Martine Davies and Pembury in our next match, which meant that if we Sarah Leggat did a wonderful job, working well were to win or draw against the next team we would together and scoring nine goals. get through to the Plate Competition. We then Thanks much also be given to Mrs Wilkinson, our realised that our next match was against the current coach, and to Striker for their support. Kent Champions, Tonbridge Wells Girls Grammar Alison Brannan (Capt) 20

Played 5; Won 2; Lost 3. Goals for 6; Goals against 10.

This yearthe 3rd XI took a little time to settle down; as always the team had to be selected from those who were left once the 1 st and 2nd XIs had been chosen. There were also one or two injuries which disrupted the side.

Chatham House and Hurstpierpoint proved to be too strong, 0-2 in each game, though in both games the team gave a good account of itself and showed some promise for the games to come. The lack of a goal-scorer was one weakness that had to be rectified. However we went down again at Caterham where we allowed ourselves to be unsettled by a robust side and lost 0-3.

In the last two games the promise was fulfilled and we found a goal-scorer. A 3-1 win over Skinners' was followed by a 3-2 victory against King's Rochester.

Andrew West was atour of strength in goal and gave the defence confidence; Alex McNaughtan, James Vincent and Russell Byrnes formed a solid rearguard, with Ben Morrison, Waleed Shelley and Masashi Yamazaki doing a good job when they played. The midfield was dominated by Ben Mear, who also scored two of our goals, ably assisted by Frazer Debney and Alex Agar; they were supported by Piers Catt and Tobias Domath on occasions. In attack, Amit Khanna and Jon Delaney covered a vast amount of ground, but this only paid off in goals when Andrew O'Donovan scored three in two matches having been injured forthe earlierpart ofthe term. Others who played were Ben Harper, Greg Clifford, Robert Williams and Tim Watts.

My thanks are due to Alex Agar, in his third year in the 3rd XI, who captained the side; his organisation offthe field was superb and there was never any fear ofour fielding aten-man side. On the field he kept the team going with his deft touches; he was not one of those who wanted to try and beat the opposition on his own. Indeed the whole side worked for each other and must have gained some satisfaction in their performances in the last two games. CRGS The U 15 hockey team were a very successful side. They deserved to have an unbeaten season but sadly they were to be denied in their final match on a dreadful grass pitch at King School Rochester when they lost 1-0. On Astroturfthey played some wonderful hockey and the skills of Sisley Day and Morgan dominated most matches. Grass pitches tend to be a great equaliser, as a far more basic game plan is required and they were unable to use these skills effectively. They came third in the County Chtimpionship, which was avery good performance and were beaten by the winners 1-0 in the semi-final. One of the reasons for the team's success was that, despite having some brilliant individuals, they played as a team at all times. Patel in goal made some fine saves over the season but in many matches he had very little to do because of the tight marking and good defending by Holmes, Hoult, Bennett and Santo. In mid-field the County players Day and Sisley worked tirelessly and with their superior skills beat players easily and had the vision to put some wonderful balls for the wings Chantry and Parrett. These two wingers possess great skill and speed which caused opposition defences many problems especially when Tom Morgan has such a good eye for goal.

There were some particularly pleasing performances like the 8-0 trouncing of Hurstpierpoint and the 12-0 victory over Judd School which stick in the memory as well as the great team spirit and work rate which made this team so successful and a pleasure to coach. JK

The team managed to achieve some success - though not without some hard work. The 11-a-side matches resulted in one win, one draw and six losses. Our performance in tournaments was better; at the Holmewood House indoor tournament we won one, drew one and lost two. The final event of the term was the Maidstone 7-a-side tournament. in which we won 5, drew 2 and lost 7.

I would like to mention the determination of Steven in defence and the nippiness of W illiam on the wing. MPD

Despite the weather and numerous cancellations, the U 13 girls were extremely successful. losing only one game - the first of the season to Wellesley House. This was a closely fought contest with the only goal of the match being scored in the closing minutes. From this encouraging beginning, the team went from strength to strength and developed into the organised and well-disciplined force which won fixtures against Invicta Grammar School, St Edmunds, Marlborough House and drew with Dulwich College Prep School.

This success transferred well to the l 1-a-side tournament season, with the team winning the first trophy at St Edmunds. For their performance against Kent College Canterbury they deserve the highestpraise. Out ofa field of23 schools from the whole of Kent, they played some excellent hockey against tough opposition and reached the final. This was against our old rivals DCPS. Unfortunately, amomentary lapse of concentration allowed DCPS to break through and Sutton Valence had to be content with an extremely creditable runners up place. At the Maidstone District tournament the girls again played some very good hockey, finishing runners up to Invicta Grammar School - on a countback of short corners.

In the Kent 7-a-side tournament at Polo Farm, Canterbury, the team acquitted itselfwell, but was knocked out before reaching the finals.

This year the levels ofcommitment and performance shown by the whole team was recognised with the possibly unique step of awarding all team members theircolours.

Many thanks are due to Mrs Wilkinson and Miss Boddy.