A
lthough results were
sometimes disappointing,
this was a very wellcontested
season, with some
excellent hockey being
played at times. There were
some great team efforts throughout the term,
none more so than in the first game of the
season against Cheltenham. Rob Seabourne's
goalkeeping was outstanding, as it was going
to be all season, and Henry Cunningham
claimed a deflected goal to round off a solid
defensive performance.
Against Queen's we dominated play for much
of the game, and goals from Will Smith and
Will Everett seemed enough to secure victory,
but it was not to be. Grant Little featured
prominently in defence against a strong
Millfield side, with Rob Seabourne again
excellent in goal. Henry Cunningham scored
another well-poached goal against a tidy
Sherborne side, and it was Will Smith on the
scoresheet against Canford, with Charlie Close
impressing in defence.
A magnificent goal by Will Smith completed a
thoroughly good first-half performance against
Taunton School, but after the interval defensive
lapses cost us dear. Against King's Bruton
though we enjoyed a hard-fought draw - a
good goal by Harry Lang and outstanding
goalkeeping this time by Harry Brimacombe. It
was a finely balanced game against Clifton,
with a good penalty corner converted by Will
Everett. Clifton though took their chances,
whereas we didn't, and this was in many ways
the story of our season. So often so near, but
just so far.
T
he 3rds had a thoroughly
enjoyable season, and
although we were overrun
sometimes by more powerful
opposition, we never gave up.
There was plenty of grit and
determination in the opening game of the
season against Cheltenham, with James Pope
having an excellent game in goal. We recorded
our first victory of the season against Exeter
School, playing attractive, fast flowing hockey.
Goalkeeper James Pope wasn't troubled until
the final five minutes.
We were outclassed somewhat on the break
against Sherborne - we had many shots on goal
but none went in! It was a much improved
display against Canford, resolute in defence and
unlucky in attack. The Taunton School fixture
was a much closer game than the scoreline
suggested. We missed a lot of chances, but Matt
Billing found the back of the net from a short
corner.
An excellent team performance against King's
Bruton resulted in a thoroughly well-deserved
victory, with some stunning goalkeeping by
Hikaru Ichikawa. Against Clifton we led for quite
a long period, but let it slip right at the end. The
highlight of the game though - Elliott Marchent
finally got his name on the scoresheet! Aluredian
71
2nd XI
3rd XI