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| Hockey Colts E Team 'Blog' |
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Colts E Hockey 2012 Squad: Chris Thomas ©; Raj Ravishankar; Joseph Fernandes; Edward McLaren; Carlos Rivas; Christian Gale; Zak Tilley; Oscar Heal; James Scott; Don Vatanatham; Chris Myers †.
Match 5 v St. George's Weybridge
St. George's Weybridge 4 - 1 Eagle House
Squad: Chris Thomas ©; Edward McLaren; Joseph Belcher; Christian Gale; Jack Small; Zak Tilley; James Scott; Don Vatanatham; Chris Myers †.
This was a much improved performance and the players did ever so well to contain one of the better teams they have played this season and limit them to a few isolated attacks. Jack Small and Joseph Belcher proved the best defensive combination that we have fielded and they battled with tenacity to keep the home side away from goal. With Chris, Christian and Edward chasing everything in midfield and Zac showing good stick control in attack, Eagle House looked like a well-trained and cohesive team. This was rewarded by the fact that the team forced three short corners and two long corners in the match while creating four clear chances on goal. This was in marked contrast to the four previous games where, despite good spells of possession, the team had struggled to threaten the opposition goal. It was a little disappointing for the players that our opponents managed to finish their half-chances so well. Early in the game, Chris seemed reluctant to come off his line but he had a lot more success at thwarting his opponents as the match progressed. Eagle House were also mounting pressure and this was finally rewarded when Zak added a crisp finish to a good flowing move with great contributions from Jack, Edward and Christian. Christian also had a productive spell in defence in the second half. Substitutions inevitably weakened the side, but James had his best game for the team and he looked far more competitive today. Goals were conceded in the second half but Zac went very close with another snap shot as the blues fought to get back in the game. The two teams got on really well after the game and chatted amiably over match tea. We were very well looked after by our hosts and the afternoon felt very encouraging despite the loss.
Match 4 v Highfield Highfield 5 - 0 Eagle House
Squad: Chris Thomas ©; Raj Ravishankar; Edward McLaren; Joseph Belcher; Christian Gale; Jack Small; Zak Tilley; James Scott; Don Vatanatham; Chris Myers †. This game started brightly for the Eagles and the midfield dominated possession for the first five minutes, playing the ball around the park cleverly and showing great stick control. Jack was playing very well and combining with Edward and Chris to win every fifty-fifty ball. However, the pace of the Highfield defenders made it difficult to set up clear shots and good passes were often blocked by opponents' feet. From the resultant free hits the Eagles were unable to press home any advantage. Nevertheless, this bright play was very encouraging and the boys continued to threaten well into the first half. This bubble of pressure was well and truly deflated when a Highfield defender struck a clearance with great timing and his pass stretched the overcommitted visiting team, flying beyond the final defender into the path of the home striker who took his chance well and gave his side the lead completely against the run of play. The Highfield players were emboldened by this success and they came more and more into the game. They realised that they were likely to be rewarded for any cleanly struck through ball and the Eagle House defence was unable to cope when fast runners attacked their goal. By half time the balance of play had completely changed and although the visitors still had the upper hand in midfield, Highfield were much stronger in defence and attack and they quickly switched play between those areas. They started the second half with a two goal cushion and their pace was to prove the decisive factor in this contest. A low-flying hot-air balloon proved to be the final nail in the coffin of the Eagle House side. With powerful blasts of flame the bright and colourful dirigible swooped over and beyond the pitch, taking with it the remaining threads of concentration of our defence. Three more goals were rapidly conceded without reply and although Zak and Christian looked the most able hockey players on the pitch, they made little impression on a more powerful and athletic Highfield defence. While winning is the aim of the game and we haven't really challenged any side so far this season, there were many encouraging moments in this game. The players stick skills have come on enormously this term and they often outplay their opponents in this department. If the players can improve their levels of concentration and anticipation they may be able to cope more efficiently with faster opponents.
Match 3 v Hall Grove
Squad: Chris Thomas ©; Raj Ravishankar; Edward McLaren; Joseph Belcher; Christian Gale; jack Small; Zak Tilley; James Scott; Don Vatanatham; Chris Myers †.
Eagle House 0 - 5 Hall Grove It was clear from the outset of this match that the Eagle House team would have to play very well to contain a very skilful and athletic Hall Grove side. The home team were a little too respectful of their guests in the early stages, standing off their opponents and not competing wholeheartedly for the ball. This let the visitors display their considerable skills and they advanced quickly to a two goal lead. From this point, the performance improved considerably. Raj showed good stick skills in defence and Chris Myers made some super saves. Jack and Chris Thomas worked very hard in midfield while Christian and Zak proved they had the skill to be a danger. We missed the energy of Edward in midfield (on his birthday) where his pace would have been an asset. There was not much between the sides in terms of stick skills, which was encouraging, but the visitors had a distinct advantage in pace and anticipation. This is the one area that would make a huge difference to our players - to learn to maintain concentration when they do not have the ball so that they are alert to any chances that emerge and ready to beat their opponent to the ball. Hall Grove won most of these individual battles and hence they won the match.
The performance certainly improved as the game progressed and Zak and Christian both came close to scoring with well-taken snap shots. It was nice for the players to have the Eagle House astro to themselves and then their own private function in the Dining Hall. It's not often that Colts E have such celebrity status. That said, each one of these players can aspire to a higher level in the years to come. Obviously any 'E' side is likely to have a few players who are not quite as enthusiastic as an 'A' side, but these boys do have a level of skill and they can improve their performance quite radically, simply by being more alert.
Match 2 v Hoe Bridge U11D
Squad: Chris Thomas ©; Raj Ravishankar; Edward McLaren; Joseph Belcher; Christian Gale; Zak Tilley; Oscar Heal; James Scott; Don Vatanatham; Chris Myers †. Eagle House 0 - 4 Hoebridge It is not easy to get fixtures at this level as not every school is quite so keen to embrace our sport for all policy. As a result, both matches this season have been against a team of a superior level and it has not been easy for the boys to compete. However, they are being given a chance to play and to be involved in these matches and in all the associated features of school fixtures and this is very good experience for them. The players and the school have to take defeats like this on the chin, confident that the benefits of playing outweigh the negatives. At least one or two boys from this group will go on to be very capable hockey players and they need the opportunity to play. Playing a 'D' side was undoubtedly difficult - they had already beaten our D side, hence there was little opportunity to shine. However the work rate at the start was first class and Eagle House managed to frustrate their opponents for the first five minutes. Christian and James showed good skills and energy while Chris Thomas held things together in defence.
The superior pace of the visiting side eventually told with their outstanding striker breaking clear on four occasions to outpace the defence and either score himself or set up a team mate. This was the difference between the sides as I thought the players were able to hold their own with stick skills and control. Chris Thomas did exceptionally well in goal to keep out a barrage of shots and a last ditch intervention from Edward also saved a certain score. A few of the players looked in need of anti-freeze on an afternoon that had blown in from Siberia. The match tea was definitely the highlight for the boys. Christian and Chris Myers were Men of the Match today.
Match 1 v Parkside U10B Squad: Chris Thomas ©; Raj Ravishankar; Joseph Fernandes; Edward McLaren; Carlos Rivas; Christian Gale; Zak Tilley; Oscar Heal; James Scott; Don Vatanatham; Chris Myers †.
Eagle House 0 - 5 Parkside This match against a capable U10B side from a school with a very strong reputation in hockey is likely to be the most difficult fixture of the season. This Eagle House team has several players who had never played the game before last week and a few, I suspect, who wish that they still had never played the game! So the main aim this season, is to give everyone a chance to play, to progress and to enjoy the experience of a match against another school. There will be players in this team who will go on to play in Game 1 by the time they reach Year 8 and that is always very satisfying to see.
While the first choice VII were on the pitch, the game was very close with the score standing at 1- 0 to our visitors. They clearly had the advantage in all-round athleticism, but the Eagle House defence and midfield really worked hard to limit their shots on goal. The Eagles were stretched however and rarely got the chance to sustain any pressure in the opposition half. Carlos, who had never picked up a stick before the start of this term, showed how much progress a player can make. He was clearly the Man of the Match with his tremendous commitment in defence and his outstanding stick skills. Edward and Chris T worked hard in midfield to close down opponents. They had few chances to set up attacks but when they did, Christian showed that he is a very skilful attacker. The defence became a little less reliable after the substitutions, but Zac did very well to seize on some great work from Carlos and Edward, meeting the cross with a very skilful flick on the turn that just shaved past the visitors' post. James, Oscar, Raj, and Joseph all showed that they have made good progress this term and Chris M has shown signs that he could prove to be a reliable keeper. He was not at his best today but, with all the awkward padding and the pressure, this is not easy position to learn. I was pleased with the overall effort and the attitude of the squad today. I hope to see them improve every aspect of their play and their approach as the season progresses. Today, they looked and played like a team; they behaved well and they arrived and departed with all (well most) of their equipment. Let's score a few goals in the next match and have something to shout about!
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