W
ith the success we
had achieved in the
West Indoor
Championships, and
a productive two
days' pre-season
training, I was looking forward to a successful
season. The first fixture though against Exeter
was snowed off! The following week we
produced a 2-1 win over Queen's in a closelyfought
local derby with goals from Dominic
Bracher and
George
Wayman.
The 0-0
half-time
score against
Wellington
reflected a
lacklustre
first half,
but within
minutes of
the re-start
the score
was 3-1 to
Wellington,
as we
allowed their
best player
too much
space.
Goals from
Owen Davies
and Sam
Merriweather
made the
last ten
minutes
more
competitive.
The following day in the county tournament we
made a quick start, scoring two goals against
King's, Bruton, only to lose 3-2. However we
made some amends by turning the tables on
Wellington, beating them 3-0, and then beating
Queen's 2-0 to secure a place in the semi-final.
The team played really well at Millfield. For
much of the first half either side could have
scored, but Millfield struck twice just before halftime.
With renewed vigour King's rose to the
occasion, and a short corner from George Lock
made the game very competitive till the last five
minutes when we conceded on the break.
After King's had gifted Sherborne two early
goals, the side rallied and Owen Davies slotted a
short corner to make it 2-1. Unfortunately luck
was against us and we went down to a mixture
of missed opportunities and forceful play from
Sherborne. The result against Canford did not
reflect the balance of play; where Canford took
most of their chances, King's did not. In
consolation Tristan Marshall scored a defiant
goal after some good build-up play.
At King's, Bruton, a poor start cost us three
goals in a ten-minute spell. Two goals in the
second half from Dominic Bracher and Tristan
Marshall came too late to turn the match
around.
This meant time for a change and youngsters
Dougie Denton and Matt Richards were brought
into the team. After conceding an early goal
against a Taunton Vale XI, the team worked hard
and Tristan Marshall slotted a short corner before
half-time. Dominating the second half, King's
should have capitalised on some excellent buildup
play, but we missed too many chances.
In the last match King's made a bright start
against Taunton School and should have taken
the lead, but two short-corner flicks put King's
on the back foot. Undaunted we rallied and a
well-worked goal made it 2-1 at half-time.
Unfortunately two goals in quick succession after
the break left us having to attack, leaving the
defence vulnerable. A late goal by Constantin
Kossen made the score more respectable.
Looking back there are valid reasons why we
under-performed at times. The cricket tour to
South Africa for instance took two weeks out of
the middle of the term for the players concerned.
But looking to the future, the young development
squad who went on the summer tour to India
played their hearts out and produced three wins
from six very tough matches. Since then five
players have been selected to represent the West
in divisional tournaments, and I am hopeful that
the success of these individuals will rub off on
their teammates to produce an outstanding
1st XI in 2011. Watch this space!
Aluredian
74
Boys'
Hockey
1st XI
by
David Cole
Tristan Marshall takes the
attack to Taunton School