L
ast year I ended my 1st XI report
with "watch this space". I was
not to be disappointed as the
team had a vintage season
under captain Jamie Grantham.
After two days of pre-season
training, Exeter provided stern opposition as
twice we conceded goals against the run of
play, before eventually running out 4-2 winners
with a spectacular goal from George Lang. At
Queen's I watched the most complete display of
hockey dominance I have ever seen from a 1st
XI at King's. We played the ball around with
confidence and were 3-0 up in ten minutes.
50-metre aerials from Taylor Buller and Liam
Adamson were pounced upon by our forwards,
and two goals for Tristan Marshall and others
from Todd Barrett, Constantin Kossen, Robin
Danaher, Matthew Richards, Taylor Buller and
George Lang completed the rout.
We found a very defensive Wellington team
difficult to break down. With 90% possession
and umpteen opportunities we went ahead
from short corners with a Tristan flick and a
shot from Taylor, but twice Wellington bounced
back with breakaway goals down to naïve
defending. The knock-on effect saw King's
concede two soft goals in the first ten minutes
at Sherborne, and a third just before half-time.
In the second half we came out fighting and
looked a different team. Dougie Denton
smashed in a reverse stick shot after some
battling midfield play and perhaps we should
have earned a draw.
We felt we had
something to prove the
following week against
Canford. By half-time
we were 2-1 up with
Constantin slotting two
goals, and although
Canford equalised, we
replied with a wellworked
goal from George
Lang sealing the match
3-2. In a fast, exciting
match against Richard
Huish, we soaked up
early pressure and began
to take control. Two
goals apiece from Tristan
and Constantin made
sure we stayed ahead at all times, and a short
corner strike by Robin Danaher made certain at
the end.
After ten minutes of sizing up Blundell's we
fired in our first goal, and after that things were
very one-sided. We played the ball around as if
we were the home side at the Nou Camp. Two
goals each from Tristan and George and a hattrick
from Constantin completed the 7-1 rout.
In an incredible match against Taunton, King's
took an early lead following a fantastic run by
Constantin and a well-taken goal by Tristan.
But with an injury to Dougie Denton, the team
got into disarray and were 4-1 down at halftime.
A fightback ensued with goals from
Tristan, Todd and Jamie. But the excitement
wasn't over and with three minutes to go Matt
Richards slotted a reverse stick short corner,
only to have victory snatched away when
Taunton scored off the final short corner of the
match. For the neutral this was really a match
to savour!
We started purposefully against Clifton, but
conceded a goal after 15 minutes. A smart
movement down the right saw Matt Richards
flick the ball top left - a good way to celebrate
his England selection. This was soon followed
by neat work by Constantin on the left and a bit
of magic by Tristan with a coolly placed flick.
A piece of history, as King's beat Millfield 3-0.
We started well, probing the Millfield defence
with Todd looking dangerous on the right and
Tristan opening the scoring with a terrific
reverse stick strike. Millfield put us on the back
foot for the next 15 minutes, and Will Pope kept
us in the game with some magnificent saves.
After half-time Constantin motored down the left
and slipped the ball to Tristan, whose shot was
parried to George who tapped home a simple
goal. A few minutes later Robin settled the
match with a reverse stick strike.
This win finished an outstanding season for the
team, who won seven and drew two of their
ten school matches on a tough hockey circuit.
With Matthew Richards selected for both
England Under 16s and Under 18s, and Tristan
Marshall for Wessex Leopards and many
players trialling for Wessex, I am hoping for
another vintage season in 2012.
Aluredian
74
Boys'
Hockey
1st XI
by
David Cole
Tristan Marshall beats
a Clifton defender