T
his year's young 1st XI
enjoyed a superb start to their
season, with a 3-1 win over
Cheltenham College,
traditionally very strong
opposition. In a great team
performance, there were goals for James Scanlan,
Jamie Grantham and Ben Broadhurst, with some
fine goalkeeping from Rob Seabourne. Rob was to
prove a very influential figure, dominating his circle
and marshalling his defence with great composure.
Away at Queen's, after absorbing early pressure
we went 1-0 up, with Jamie Grantham
smashing in a rebound. However, good build-up
play did not result in a second goal; as a result
Queen's forced their way back into the match
and scored a late winner. The fixture against
Wellington produced a very exciting end-to-end
game that finished honours even at 0-0. We
probably had more chances, but couldn't quite
finish off moves, reminiscent of the previous
match! James Scanlan and Callum Stonier had
good defensive games, thwarting strong
Wellington attacks in the last ten minutes.
The county tournament provided
disappointment, especially as we did not lose a
match in the pool games. We won against
Richard Huish and drew the other two matches,
but failed to go through to the semi-finals on
goals scored, for the second year running!
We almost allowed the Exeter School game to
slip from our grasp. Having taken an early
lead, Exeter fought back scoring two goals just
after half-time. In an end-to-end last 20
minutes King's managed to score twice, the
second a coolly-slotted short-corner from James
Scanlan. James was the only regular
goalscorer this season, and with his dominance
at sweeper was voted player of the season.
The Canford game was tied 0-0 at half-time in
a tightly contested match, but we lost
concentration for a five-minute spell shortly
after half-time and this cost us dear. We kept
fighting to the end, and did everything bar
score. The Sherborne block fixture was snowed
off, but the 1st XI played a postponed match
later in the term. Fast and furious, chances
went begging at each end, but Sherborne
proved more clinical finishers, despite King's
having more shots in the first half.
A great afternoon for the hockey teams against
King's, Bruton saw us win seven and draw two
matches from nine. A goal down in the second
minute, the 1st XI rallied with goals from
Charlie Marr, James Scanlan and Harry
Canning before half-time. A goal-fest in the
second half brought further goals for Harry
Canning, George Lock and Jamie Grantham.
The coach hoped that the problem with
goalscoring was now behind us!
However, it proved a frustrating end to the
season. First-half dominance against Taunton
School did not reap the rewards it deserved,
and great runs by Ben de Figueiredo and Harry
Canning were not converted into goals. In the
second half we conceded a late short-corner
and consequently the match.
New boys Jamie Grantham, Owen Davies,
George Lock, Harry Canning, Nathan Smith
and Callum Stonier made their mark in the
team and old hands like Thies Boening, Charles
Close, Charlie Marr and Tom Le Gallais made
significant improvements in their play. Major
colours were awarded to Ben de Figueiredo,
James Scanlan and Robert Seabourne for their
outstanding contribution to 1st XI hockey.
In representative hockey
Owen Davies was selected
for South Wales Under
17s, Tristan Marshall,
Matthew Harden, Lewis
Morris, Matthew Richards
and Dougie Denton for
Somerset Under 15s,
Corbett Sykes-Moore and
William James for
Somerset Under 14 As,
and Arthur Keeling and
Nico Mills for Somerset
Under 14 Bs.
This year saw the retirement of Peter Dossett,
whose contribution to hockey cannot be
underestimated. He has looked after Junior
Colt and 1st XI teams for well over 30 years,
and latterly was the 1st XI umpire, and I thank
him very much for all his coaching and help
over my time in charge. The traditional OA
match gave me the opportunity to thank Peter
in front of past and present players, a match
incidentally that the school won 6-3! Aluredian
75
Boys'
Hockey
1st XI
by
David Cole
James Scanlan in action
during the 1st XI's 3-1 win
over Cheltenham College
Image © Harry Marshall