:: Welcome to Eagle House School

This has been a young side and they have improved noticeably since the start of the season. It was always going to be tough for this year's players, but I have been delighted with all the hard work and effort that they have put in on the practice field. They have worked hard at improving their skills both on and off the ball and this has helped ensure that they have won more matches than they have lost. Many of the matches have been very close run affairs and in fact during one three week spell all the matches were decided by a single goal. In fact since just before half term they have been unbeaten in 4 matches and during this period they have scored 14 goals and conceeded only 4, with all of those being in one match!

In the latter part of the season I have also been able to give the chance to other children in Year 6 and Year 7 to represent the school at this level. Throughout the season Alex Manton-Jones has led the side from the front with his enthusiasm, desire to succeeed and no little lack of skill. His leadership when new players have joined the side has helped them to settle in quickly with the increased pace and skill required at this level.

There have been some players who have particularly caught the eye in addition to Alex. JJ has been quite outstanding as our mid-filed dynamo and the improvement in the quality of his all round play has been quite outstanding. Up front Nick has proved to be a handful for all those who have had to mark him. His pace both on and off the ball has been an invaluable weapon in the sides armoury. Tom has been a very able keeper between the sticks and he has performed some miraculous saves at times during the season. The back three of Max, Wiil and Sean have created a very solid partnership and in doing so have made it difficult for opposing teams to break them down. In reality each member of the squad has performed at a very high level on occasion during the course of the season and all of them have acquired an increased awarnesss of the game and how it needs to be played.

My thanks go to all those of you who have turned out this season, I have much appreciated all your hard work, effort, commitment and above all your humour in making this a successful season. Well done to you all.

This was our final match of the season and although we did not fire on all cylinders for much of the game it was a comfortable win with our opposition not really causing too many problems. However, when hey did attack our defensive trio of Max, Will and Sean were very effective in snuffing out any real threat to our goal.

In mid-field Alex and JJ once again worked tirelessly to launch our forwards towards our opponents goal line. With Saxon performing effectively and Michael and Tom sharing the role on the left the side created many chances for the forward line.

Up front Tom and Nick played out wide with the latter once again being the forward who most caught ones eye. Playing in the middle up front Haidder helped create some good chances and the scoreline should have been more conclusive, had we taken our chances, but great credit should go to the Highfield players who defended resolutely, particularly in the second half.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson, JJ Dewes.

Saturday 1st March v Lambrook Haileybury

Drew 0-0

For our first fixture against Lambrook-Haileybury at hockey for a good number of years we travelled over to them to play on their astro. In a game which we controlled throughout we were unable to capitalise on the many opportunities that we had to score. In part this was because the pitch was considerably smaller than the Wellington pitch and we did not have the width to stretch their defence and so this made their task considerably easier; despite this the side should have used their advantage much better.

On the positive side of things there were a large number of Year 7's who played in this match and also, in Julius, a very good Year 6 player. All those who turned out to play in this team and who normally play at a lower level did so with no little skill and certainly they were all fully committed to the cause. Justin again played the role of centre-forward, a position he played for part of the last match, Conor played on the left wing and Julius played at right mid-field.

At the end of the day the children will have gained valuable experience for the next game and even next year. However, if there is one thing I would wish of them and that is to stop playing the ball on the reverse with the side of their stick and instead switched the ball onto the open side so that they are in a much stronger position to attack down their opponent's reverse stick!

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson, Justin Parvess, Conor Dickinson, Julius Manton-Jones.

A much changed team stepped out onto the astro for this fixture on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Not only were there new players, but some of those who usually turn out were asked to play a different role than normal in order to accomodate the changes brought about by the 7's rugby at Caldicott.

Up front we started with both Haider and Justin Parvess playing a dual role as centre forwards and when we the side went ahead this looked as though it might work, but Edgeborough were making huge inroads down our left flank and when they scored an excellent break away goal it meant that we had to change the role of some of the players. Haider moved back to left mid-field with JJ and Alex taking up the central role and Tom Johnsosn moved across to the right hand side. This meant that Justin was now playing as the lone central striker and throughout the afternoon he did the job with no little lack of skill, especially as it was his first outing at this level. Sean and Michael played the roles of the wide men and both did their jobs admirably. Sean is clearly much better suited as a defensive player, but he enjoyed his forrays down the right flank and put in some telling crosses. Michael continues to grow in confidence and this is of great credit to him. At half time the score was 3-1 with the third goal being a beautiful flick past the goalkeeper by Alex.

As the second half progressed we were able to take control of the game by playing some excellent passing hockey. JJ and Alex were to the forefront of most attacks,although in the latter stages both were guilty of holding on to the ball too long and for trying to be too intricate in what they were doing'. Haider had his best game of the season as he made some excellent telling tackles and his sympathetic passing was instrumental in releasing Michael down the left hand side. At the back Will and Max continue to improve, the latter having a particularly effective match, and with Felix Fowler stepping into the role of left back the side looked set for a good victory. Nothing, however, could have been further from the truth, as despite Eagle House holding a 5-2 lead at one stage our opposition were just not willing to lie down and accept defeat and much to their credit they came back with two goals in the last few minutes to set up an exciting finish.

Both sides deserve much credit for a well fought, exciting and sportsmanlike game of hockey.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, JJ Dewes, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Michael Wright, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson, Felix Fowler, Daniel Rayner, Justin Parvess.

This match was played on the last day before half term and it is greatly to the team's credit that they performed as well as they did. After what has been a tough first half of term it was very pleasing for the children that they ended it with a good win.

From the very start the side went on the attack and at no stage did they ever come under any real pressure. Four goals in the first half set the team up nicely. The captain, Alex Manton-Jones, headed off for Canada once the game was safe and in all honesty he was not missed because so many other children 'stepped up to the plate'. In JJ Dewes the side had a dynamo at centre mid-field and with Saxon Coop and Michael Wright performing admirably in their roles it gave the side a good base from which to launch attacks. I was particularly pleased for Michael because he does not like playing in this role, but he ended up having one of his best games to date. Saxon had a much better second half when he released the ball quickly and effectively and this was pleasing to see. The other player to make up the mid-field was Tom Johnson who came on as replacement for Alex and didn't look out of place. He has been one of those players who, in the last few weeks, has grown in confidence and doesn't look out of p;lace in the side. In the forwards Haider Rubbani switched to centre forward and he certainly gave the side much greater fire-power, something we have missed so far this term. As usual Nikolai Malyguine produced his normal fast running and influential performance on the right wing. Tom Fowlie moved from centre forward, where he has sadly been out of sorts this term, to left wing and the result was his best performance since last year.

In the second half the team had to work much harder for their goals, but they continued to produce the opportunities to score. Part way through some of those who had had little chance to perform changed position and had to learn a different skill to which they were normally accustomed. For Will Fletcher, who normally looks so sound at Centre-Back, he found the pace of playing up front a different proposition to his usual role, hopefully he will appreciate that his strength lies at the centre of defence! Others who performed well were Sean Neat, who continues to grow from strength to strength,and Max Kirk, who had his usual solid game. Felix Fowler came on towards the end of the game and hopefully he will have learnt a great deal from the increased pace at which 1st XI hockey is played.

I hope all those who have so far made their own contribution to the team will enjoy a rest over half-term and be ready for the remaing matches when they return.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, JJ Dewes, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson, Felix Fowler.

Playing on a different surface to Astro always changes the type of game, but in all honesty we have played on this surface much more than Cranleigh. As ever there were some good performances from certain players; at the back Max, Sean and Will again performed with great determination and made numerous tackles. Unfortunately the mid-field did not work back hard enough to get into good positions to make legal challenges once they had lost the ball and this put the players at the back under great pressure.

This afternoon the side did not show the same drive and commitment as a group that they have done in recent weeks and as such it was a rather disappointing performance.

The scoreline does flatter the opposition because we did have as many, if not more opportunities to score, it was just that we did not take our chances when they came along wheras our opponents were deadly in the way they finished!

Several players do stand out for their effort, notably the back three, Nikolai and JJ, but with too many players seeming a bit 'off colour' in the way they approached the match we lacked the drive and determination that are required when playing against strong opposition.

As always there were some good things to come out of the game and the side will, I am sure, be up for the challenge in their last match before half term when we play Reading School at Wellington next Friday.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, JJ Dewes, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson.

The side built on the success they have had in the last few week and throughout the game they looked the stronger of the two teams. Tom, in goal, had very little to do for a change because the mid-field of Alex, JJ, Haider and Saxon were able to command the middle of the pitch with great authority. When the opposition did break through Max, Will and Sean showed how much they have improved this season as they were able to deal very effectively with anything that was thrown at them. Up front Nikolai and Michael produced some excellent hockey down the flanks and in so doing created a number of good chances. The only goal of the game came from a well worked short corner in the first half which Alex converted with great power and accuracy.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, JJ Dewes, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson.

This was another super game of hockey and in truth a draw would have been a fair result. The only goal of the game came from another goal mouth incident in which we failed to clear the ball from underneath Tom Inglis' feet.

The game ebbed and flowed with both sides showing how skillful they were when they were running with the ball. In mid-field JJ had another excellent game, as did Saxon. At the back Alex Manton-Jones again marshalled his troops and together with Wiil Fletcher, Sean Neat and Max Kirk this back four continues to grow in confidence and they were responsible for breaking up most attacks and then distributing the ball effectively in order to launch a counter attack. Up front Nikolai continues to be the outstanding forward and he was more often than not the player who caused the opposition the most trouble.

The side deserves a great deal of credit for the performance that htey put in and if they continue to play as they have done in the last two matches it will not be long before they get their next win.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Tom Fowlie, JJ Dewes, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson.

Match Three

Wednesday 23rd January v Parkside at Wellington College

Lost 0-1

This was a terrific game of hockey and both sides deserve much credit for the sportsmanship and skill that was on display. The result shows just how close the game was and, in truth neither side deserved to lose. Eagle House had a number of chances in the first half to score, notably from short corners, but these opportunities were not taken and Parkside scored a breakaway goal when the ball was somehow scrambled over the line when the defence failed to clear the ball from off the keepers pads after Tom Inglis had made a double save. Both sides continued to press for the remainder of the half, but there were no further goals to be scored. It was down our left flank that we looked weakest and particularly in mid-field where there was no channelling back to help out the rest of the defence.

Despite being one goal down at half time the team had not let their heads drop and had continued to play some good exciting hockey. In the second half the side raised their game still further and continued to play good positive hockey which resulted in a number of chances from open play, but sadly none of these were converted into the all important equaliser that the side so richly deserved. In the mid-field JJ Dewes and Saxon Coop in particular played outstandingly well as they broke up the Parkide attacks and then set about launching our own. At the back Alex Manton-Jones was like a rock as he broke up each attack, ably assisted by Will Fletcher, who produced his best performance of the term.

All in all then this was a hugely impressive performance and the side were unfortunate not to get some sort of result. In fact the game could have been drawn at the very end when, after the final whistle had gone and the penalty corner had been awarded, Alex Manton-Jones sent a rasping short just past the post.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, JJ Dewes, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk, Tom Johnson.

This was a much improved performance from last week.The team were far more committed from the whistle and controlled much of the first half playing quick decisive hockey and deservedly went into the lead. Caldicott, however, came back strongly themseleves and scored a good goal, when one of their forwards was left unmarked in the circle. Eagle House did not allow their heads to drop and again put the opposition under a long period of pressure and after some decisive, quick movement scored a second goal just before half time.

The second half saw the side raise the tempo still further and this resulted in two more goals. Once again JJ Dewes had an outstanding game in the mid-field, but this time there were many more players who stepped up to the mark and showed what they can really do. Saxon Coop produced a much iimproved performance at right half, and with the captain, Alex Manton-Jones, controlling things at the back the side looked a much stronger outfit. Sean Neat, playing at left defence, produced a strong performance, making good tackles and distributing the ball very effectively. A new strike partnership of Haider Rubbani and Tom Fowlie gave the side much more of a cutting edge, but they were indebted to a fine performance by Nikolai Malyguine, playing out wide, who gave them plenty of opportunity with his strong accurate crosses.

All in all then a huge improvement, but the next few matches wiil require even more steel as the side face two very strong hockey playing schools.

Those who played: Alex Manton-Jones [Capt], Haider Rubbani, Tom Fowlie, JJ Dewes, Nikolai Malyguine, William Fletcher, Sean Neat, Tom Inglis, Michael Wright, Saxon Coop, Max Kirk.