S
econd in the Wessex Independent
Schools' League, runners-up in the
County Cup and losing only on
penalties in the semi-final of the
Divisional Tournament, this would have to
go down as yet another highly successful
season for the 1st XI.
They scored 86 goals, eclipsing last year's
record by 15 goals, with Matt Richards
scoring over 20 and Will Murray, Jack
Holmes, Will Potter and Dougie Denton all
scoring double figures. Defender Ben
Shapland and goalkeeper Corbett SykesMoore
also had excellent seasons, keeping
goals conceded to a minimum.
After twice coming from behind at
Queen's, we picked up momentum and
dominated the rest of the game. Plenty
of composure meant the ball was moved
around quickly and accurately leading to
many open play goals, as well as short
corner conversions, as we ran out 8-3
winners.
We missed two opportunities before
Millfield slotted a short corner, putting us
on the back foot. But Will Potter banged
in an equaliser before half-time, and a
quickly taken free hit by Will James saw
Dougie Denton score from short range.
Matt Richards stretched the lead with a
short corner flick, before a brilliant firsttime
deflection by Will Potter sealed the
match.
King's showed great strength of character
against Sherborne, as most players were
suffering from the County Finals. We
started brightly and dominated the first
half with good attacking play, but were
unable to convert chances. In the second
half, after Will Potter put away a rebound
and Will Murray a short corner, the team
was able to relax.
Taunton School's slow surface caught us
out and we conceded two goals before
waking up. However two short corner
goals from Will Murray and a slick reverse
finish by Will Potter put us back in the
game. Dougie Denton's solo goal should
have sealed the game, but Taunton
managed to squeeze in an equaliser with
minutes to go.
In the Under 18 Divisional Finals, King's
came second in their group, having drawn
with Cheltenham, Queen Elizabeth's and
Millfield. Sadly they lost to Canford on
penalty strokes in the semi-final.
Battle resumed with Canford the following
Saturday, and tired legs meant a
lacklustre game. We conceded two early
goals, but fought back in the second half
with Ben Shapland showing great
composure in defence. We looked like
equalising just before the end, but
Canford scored on the break to seal
victory.
At Bryanston Jack Holmes' reverse strike
gave us the lead in three minutes. We
were then on the back foot before
responding with a short corner deflection
by Will Potter - a solo effort from Jack
and a well-worked passing move ending
with a Will Murray flick made it 4-0 at
half-time. Jack completed his hat-trick
with another amazing dribble and Will
Murray tapped in from close range. But
some lazy defending let Bryanston back
in the game in the last ten minutes!
Blundell's defended resiliently in a largely
one-sided game. Eventually, relentless
pressure by King's, mounting attacks from
all sides of the Blundell's circle, saw
goals from Matt Richards and Joe
Merriweather to settle the matter.
At home to Clifton we had to defend
resolutely despite scoring early on with a
rebound slotted home by Will James.
After half-time the lead was extended
with Dougie Denton deflecting in a short
corner, before Clifton hit back. This
seemed to galvanise the team, and an
aerial from Leo Goodman-Jones set up a
cross from Jack Holmes which saw
Dougie coolly slot his second. Two wellworked
team goals scored by Jack
Holmes sealed the match 5-1. Some
memorable goals to end a memorable
season.
Boys' Hockey
1st XI
by David Cole
74
Will Potter gets past his defender, as the
1st XI beat Millfield 4-1