A
gainst Exeter School we
moved the ball around with
skill and ease, but were
slightly outgunned by a
physical larger side.
However there were many
promising signs for the rest of the season, with
two well-worked goals by Jamie Turvill and a
third from Rory Nixon-Eckersall.
It was a good team performance to beat
Queen's 4-3. Leading 3-0 at half-time, lapses
in concentration and communication saw us
concede three goals in ten minutes, but we
managed a fourth to win a close and exciting
match.
Against Wellington we put together some
excellent phases of play, dominating the
midfield and playing really well as a team.
Although we didn't take all our chances, we
still managed a 4-1 win, with goals from Tom
Frankham, Ed Keeling, Rory Nixon-Eckersall
and Jamie Shapland.
It was a disappointing afternoon at Sherborne,
and against Canford we spurned far too many
chances, but against Blundell's we played some
great hockey in breaking down their defensive
set-up. The winning goals came from Bertie
Preston and Rory Nixon-Eckersall. It was a
frustrating afternoon for all against Taunton
School, as we dominated possession but could
not convert enough of our many chances.
Taunton hit us on the break four times!
But we beat Clifton 2-1 in a highly spirited
game, with the team playing some beautiful
hockey in all areas of the pitch. Goals by
Jamie Turvill and John Hall secured victory,
and it could have been more. This was the
highlight of a season in which at times we
played some terrific hockey, and learnt a lot
about the game.
F
irst-half goals for Ed Blowers, Joe
Cooke and Harvey Walsh got the
Bs' season off to a flying start
against Queen's. The second half
was slightly more chaotic, but
good teamwork meant we held
on to our lead - Zach Spiers was outstanding
in goal.
Facing strong Wellington opposition, we
showed fantastic teamwork, taking the lead
through Joe Cooke, and scoring a second
through Harvey Walsh, who added a third in
the second half as we finished 3-1 winners.
We recorded an excellent victory against
Sherborne, and then had an epic battle at
Canford, the opposition scoring in the first half.
Our defence played well, but in attack we
couldn't convert our chances.
It was something of a wake-up call when
Blundell's dribbled round our defence and
scored in the first three minutes. Eventually
we found some sort of rhythm - Joe Cooke and
Harvey Walsh scored twice each, and Ed
Blowers knocked in a fantastic cross through
the D, to make sure of a fine 5-2 win. There
was a great effort from Jamie Shapland.
Against Taunton School we managed to put into
practice skills we had been working on, and
though a goal down, we fought hard to get back
into the game with goals from Harvey Walsh and
Jamie Shapland. A fantastic performance by
Zach Spiers in goal brought Taunton's unbeaten
season to an end in a game to be proud of.
At Clifton we struggled to find our rhythm, and
mistakes allowed them to take full advantage.
Zach Spiers made some heroic saves and we
played much better in the second half, but
couldn't find the back of the net. 1-0 down
against Millfield at half-time, we responded
well, but two goals from Joe Cooke weren't
enough.
Aluredian
78
Boys'
Hockey
Under 14s
John Hall shows pace on the ball as the Under
14s beat Blundell's 2-0
The Cs beat Wellington
4-2 with a spectacular
goal from the edge of
the D, and a Henry
Breeze hat-trick.
Against Sherborne we
soon found ourselves
1-0 up from a wellworked
short corner,
but Sherborne took
their chances well -
man of the match was
Will Mayor. We put up
a fantastic fight against
Taunton School, Toby
Johnson keeping their
attackers at bay, while
Charlie Niekirk showed
great control along with
Oliver Clarke as
sweeper. Goals for
Matt Dobie and Huw
Vaughan-Johns sealed a
great team win. We
conceded a rather soft
goal in the first half
against Millfield, and
they scored again
before Charlie Niekirk
found the back of the
net from close range.
The team should be
proud of playing such
attractive, dynamic
hockey against tough
opposition.