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| Hockey Colts A Team 'Blog' |
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Wednesday 17th January 2007 v St Andrew's Woking. (Home at 1400) Drew 3-3 This was a very enjoyable match to begin the season, with some good hockey being played by both sides. St Andrew’s began the game very strongly and were able to pin Eagle House back in their own half with ease. Consequentially they were able to open up the scoring with a well taken goal. It looked as though a second goal would shortly follow. After about ten minutes Eagle House were able to break out of their half and began to mount attacks of their own. Gradually the balance of the game was beginning to switch and two goals from two short corners put Eagle House into the lead. After the break it was Eagle House who started this half stronger with attack after attack being mounted. A third goal followed, and then Eagle House took their foot of the pedal. This allowed St Andrew’s into the game whose constant pressure led to their two final goals. The game ended as it had begun with St Andrew’s finishing the dominant side. A few anxious moments came for Eagle House as a Penalty corner was given right at the end of time, which had to be played. Luckily for Eagle House the defence was good and the corner was not converted. The result was a true reflection of the game as there was very little between the two teams. Wednesday 24th January 2007 v Caldicott. (Home at 1400) (cancelled due to bad weather) Wednesday 31st January 2007 v Parkside. (Home at 1415) Lost 1-3 This was a fine display by a well organised team, who passed securely to members of their own team, made great use of the space available and played with 100% commitment. Unfortunately Eagle House were outplayed by this side and were lucky not to have conceded more goals. Parkside were awarded so many penalty corners during this game. Too many passes went astray. The tackling was half-hearted. Positions were not held and no use was made of the width. Eagle House were not playing on all pistons. Though Eagle House began well and were soon in the opposition circle at the start, Parkside easily took the initiative and dominated the rest of the first half. Their first two goals of the first half came from short corners which Eagle House could have easily stopped. Too often during the match the defenders stood watching to see what would happen rather than get involve and take the ball away from the opposition. The second half was more equally balanced and Eagle House were able to break out of the half on occasions. Their only goal showed what the team are capable of. It was good hockey. From the centre of the field, straight to the right wing, from whence the ball still travelling at speed went to the centre forward. Unfortunately Eagle House conceded a third goal at the stage of the game when they were gradually getting back into the game. Hopefully the team will learn from this match the importance of making good passes, tackling hard, keeping their sticks on the ground and playing with 100% commitment.
Saturday 3rd February 2007 v Cranleigh. (Home at 1415) Won 2-1 After the defeat mid week, Eagle House put in a better performance and with a few minor changes produced the kind of hockey that was expected from them. The match began well for Cranleigh who began the match more positively, dominated the first quarter, played some creative hockey and opened the scoring with a well taken goal. Though the defensive frailties of Eagle House showed themselves again, the defence remain positive and leaned from this lesson. Gradually the Eagle House team warmed up and soon began to dominate. The equalising goal soon followed and many other chances were made. By half time the pendulum had swung in Eagle House’s favour who penned back Cranleigh into their own half for most of the second half. A well worked second goal followed as the Cranleigh’s lack of match practice began to show. As in the first half the opportunities to score were not converted by Eagle House and too often their attacks broke down because the ball was not released early enough. Having better stick skills does not necessarily make for a better team, playing in position and moving into space will also help. Overall it was a good team performance, progress has been made and the team can be proud, that, though they conceded a goal, they were able to turn the game around to their advantage to gain a memorable victory Wednesday 7th February 2007 v Hoe Bridge (Away at 1445). Won 1-0 Though this was a win, Eagle House had to work very hard for their single goal and their victory. Eagle House dominated for long periods of the game and kept the opposition penned back into their own half. Good work by the forwards ensured that many hit outs did not pass them. Stirling support play by the midfield ensured that the back line had help and turned many a defensive position into an attacking opportunity. Rarely did the opposition break into the other half and when they did, the Eagle House backs on two occasions were quite dramatic in halting these attacks. I thought diving was only what footballers do! Nevertheless they were unable to benefit from such dominance. Many opportunities to score from the penalty corners and good attacking moves were wasted. With a little more thought and quick release of the ball, many of these opportunities could have resulted in a goal. It was half way through the second half that Eagle House were able to break through the strong and determined defence of Hoe Bridge. A lot of praise must go to the Hoe Bridge keeper who on numerous occasions kept the ball out of his goal and thereby kept his side in this game. This was a hard won victory yet it could have been easier. Wednesday 21st February 2007 v Aldro (Away at 1530) Won 7-0. This victory was a fine display of hockey with the good skills, positioning and full commitment. Nevertheless it must be pointed out that this game was against a side who only began their season at the beginning of the week and who played with a man short for the first half. Eagle House therefore dominated the game throughout and Aldro, quite understandably, found this a very difficult game. Three of the goals were scored in the first half though it could have been more as three times the ball struck the goal uprights. The other four came equally distanced in the second. All credit to Aldro as they kept their heads up though as times it must have been very frustrating for them. Such a one sided game really does neither side any good. Wednesday 28th February 2007 v Edgeborough (Home at 1430) Drew 0-0 This was a very entertaining game with both sides having good opportunites to score. Edgeborough were overall the dominate side and had more penalty corners awarded to them than Eagle House.Edgeborough played some well constructed hockey. Their passing was very good and their support play excellent.Their breaks were quite devastaitng but unfortunately they were unable to ensure that their dominance led to goals. Eagle House defence were fairly strong and had luck on their side. Eaglre House were not playing at their best and often failed to get stuck in and would rather wait and see what happened before making a tackle. The passing was not great as they often were intercepted by the opposition. When Eagle House made it into the other circle, strong defence by Edgeborough made it impossible for them to score.Though a draw it was Edgeborough who played the better hockey and were unfortunate not to have won this match. Monday 5th March 2007. Cranleigh Tournament. (Away at 1300) Pool Matches V Ripley court won 2-0 V St Edmunds won 3-0 V Holmewood House drew 1-1 V Parkside lost 1-2 V Aldro won 2-0 Eagle House came second in the pool on goal difference, by one goal Semi-final V Bishops Stortford lost 0-1 Twelve teams participated in the competition. Wednesday 7th March 2007. Dragon Tournament. (Away at 1330) Pool Matches V Dragon drew 0-0 V New College won 2-0 V Magdalene College B won 1-0 V Winchester House drew 0-0 Eagle House came second in their pool Semi-final V Magdalene College A won 1-0 Final V Winchester House drew 1-1 Final result Joint winners with Winchester house. Ten teams participated in this competition.
Wednesday 14th March 2007 v Highfield . (Home at 1430) won 2-1 Though our final game was a victory, it was not played with the high standard of hockey that Eagle House is able to produce. Too often players were out of position, the passing went astray and we were not playing with 100% commitment. Too often we watched the ball rather than create the game. Nevertheless there were some great moments when we played three touch hockey which break through the opposition. Eagle House began the game being pinned back into our own half and easily conceded a goal within the first five moments. That finally woke up the team which then became encamped for the rest of the half in the opposition’s half. Such dominance led only to one goal being scored though there were many opportunities to score. Eagle House began the second half as they had finished the first and scored a second goal within the first few minutes of the half. This in turn spurred on Highfield up started to look for the equalising goal. The last 15 minutes of the game was a seesaw with both sides attacking and then finding themselves defending. It was end to end stuff. Luckily the game ended before Highfield were able to find their justified second goal. Eagle House were lucky to win this game. With a bit more drive about them, they could have won more easily. Thus ends a great season. The squad played a total of 19 games and only lost three of them. My thanks to all 14 players who have played throughout the term. They have progressed a long way and can be pleased with this successful season.
The Squad. Saxon Coop ( Captain and Colours). Daniel Rayner(Colours). Sean Neat(Colours). William Kirk.(Colours)William Beedham. Julius Manton-Jones. Eoin O'Kane. Reece Williams. William Fletcher. Connor Dickinson. Justin Parvess. Michael Wright(Colours). Adam Dewes.(Colours) Elliott Hunt. Caldicott Rugby VIIs We were outgunned technically and physically, but the school should be really proud of the team, the shirts that they wore and the way that they played through to the end, culminating in a try that reflected all that a team stands for. They played with the heart that will serve them well in the future. For his effort through the season, Joab Phillips was awarded his colours
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