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| Hockey Colts A Team 'Blog' |
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Match One Wednesday 16th January v St Andrew’s Woking at Goldsworh Park, Woking at 1400 Won 3-0 (Julius Manton-Jones 2. William Beedham 1) This was a good start to our season. The first half was well balanced with both sides making strides into the other team's half. Two goals in the first half settled nerves in this first game. For most of the second half Eagle House dominated the game and kept St Andrew's pinned into their own half. Unfortunately that pressure resulted only in one further goal. Only in the final part of the game as Eagle House became tired did St Andrew's break out of their half. Eagle House's defence was solid as a rock. Adam Dewes and Julius Manton-Jones worked hard all afternoon halting the St Andrew's break out and creating an attacking platform. The passing was quite secure and the tackling on the whole strong. By the end of the game the wingers and centre forwards were beginning to get into some threatening positions. There has been a lot to learn from this good game. Well done, team! Match TwoWednesday 23rd January v Caldicott at Wellington Old Astro at 1400 Won 2-1 (Julius Manton-Jones 2) This second match began badly for Eagle House as they were unable to convert early pressure into a goal. Caldicott took that pressure and began to turn the game to their control. A superb set of passes and a penetrating run into the circle resulted in a well deserved goal for Caldicott. The pressure continued for the rest of the first half as again and again Caldicott swarmed forward looking for the second goal. Too many of the Eagle Houses passes went astray and too often they pulled back to see how Caldicott would play the ball. Nevertheless solid defence ensured that a second goal for Caldicott never came. The second half saw a revitalised and a more positive Eagle House take the field. Positional play improved and the passing improved. Eagle House took control of the game and pinned Calidcott into their own half for long stretches. Such constant pressure resulted in two well deserved goals scored by Julius. Eagle House were certainly on fire for the second half and should be able to build upon that performance. This was an enjoyable and entertaining game with a great come back in the second half. Well done to all for such a great performance! Many congratulations to Julius Manton-Jones and Adam Dewes for being awarded their Colts Hockey colours. Both of these players have set an excellent example both off and on the pitch, in their contributions and encouragement to the rest of the team. Match Three Wednesday 30th January v Parkside at Wellington Old Astro at 1415 Lost 0-6 This was a very tough game played against a well drilled, organised and spirited opposition. Though Eagle House conceeded two goals in the first half, it was quite a well balanced game up to that point, with the play ebbing and flowing from one end to the other. Eagle House had their opportunites in the first half, with various short corners, but were unable to convert them into goals. Unfortunately Eagle House were unable to up their game in the second half as Parkside ensured that Eagle House were unable to break out of their half. Nevertheless there was some great hockey played, with some good passing and forward runs. I am confident that they team will bounce back with great determination in the next game to bulid upon their experiences of this match.
Match Four Saturday 2nd February V Dragon at Eagle House all weather at 1430 Won 8-0 (Julius Manton-Jones 3, William Beedham 2, Adam Robinson 2, Adam Dewes 1) After the defeat mid week, this was just the type of performance that rekindled the team's spirit and confidence. Early goals by Julius established our dominace of the match. With Julius and Adam Dewes substitiuted for long periods of the game, the rest of the squad still clearly demonstrated how good they also were with securing passing, good positioning, a solid defending line and a further five good goals being scored. There was some very well constructed hockey being played and the team have learnt a lot over the whole week. I was also impressed by the attitute of the Eagle House team towards the opposition throughout and after the match. Match Five Wednesday 6th February V Hoe Bridge school,Wellington Old Astro at 1400 Drew 1-1 (Julius Manton-Jones 1) The result is a true reflection of a game that was not one sided. Both sides had many opportunities to dominate the match as the game ebbed and flowed from end to end. Eagle House opened the scoring in the first half and then spent a fair amount of time defending that lead. In the second half Hoe Bridge began to exert real pressure and for long stretches Eagle House were in their half defending. Nevertheless Eagle House had a few good chances at a break away goal as Toby stuck to his position on the wing, unmarked, waiting for that opportunity. Eagle House at times played some good hockey, but for most of the match they looked tired and lethargic, and were not firing on all cyclinders. Such a game as this shows how important it is to ensured that all opportunites to score are taken and all penalty corners must end up in a goal being scored. All eleven players must play with 100% commitment at all times. Hoe Bridge's equalising goal came within the dying minutes from a short that was easily defendable. I am quite confident again that the team will learn lessons from this match. Match Six Saturday 9th February V Cranleigh, away at 1430 on grass. Won 5-1 (Oliver Cook 4, Richard Morgan 1) This was a good performance played by the squad with great determination and commitment. The coach could ask for no more. Though Eagle House were playing on grass for the first time, the team took to the surface with no real problems. Control of the ball, passing, tackling and positional play were very good. The forwards were definitely on fire, especially Oliver Cook. Nevertheless it was quite a tough game, at times, as Cranleigh continued to attack throughout the game keeping the backs busy. Reece Williams certainly deserved his title as "man of the match" as time and time again he put in some great tackles to halt yet another Cranleigh attack. The midfield players also contributed well with helping the back line and with feeding the front players so that they could score the goals. Overall this was an excellent team performance! Well done, team! Many congratulations to William Kirk and william Beedham on being awarded their colours. William Kirk has done a great job organising the back line and William Beedham has given 100% at the front, making his strong and threatening presence felt. Match Seven Wednesday 13th February V St Pirans, Wellington Old Astro at 1415 Won 4-0 (William Beedham, Toby Barnard, Eoin O'Kane, Oliver Cook) Yet again this was a good performance from the team with some excellent passing and positional play against a team that looked physically bigger but who were unable to use that to dominate the game. Hockey is a game played with good skill and ball skills with little reliance needed on physical strength. The back line were as solid as ever and found it easy to deal with the few incursions that St Pirans were able to mount into the D of Eagle House. There is no truth in the rumour that the back line and Max started to play I spy in the second half. The first two goals came in the second half and Eagle House could have scored more as they were awarded a whole series of penalty and long corners that half. In the second half Eagle House continued to dominate the game and were unlucky not to have scored even more goals as most of the second half was played in St Pirans half of the field. The midfield players were very good at feeding the forwards and it was nice to see that all four forwards scored a good each."Man of the match" award goes to Toby for his constant threatening runs and good crossing from his wing and also for his great good he scored in the first half. Well done, team and yet another great performance. Match Eight Wednesday 27th February v Edgeborough away at 1530 Won 4-0 (Oliver Cook 3, Adam Dewes 1) This was a tough game played against a team who were as good as Eagle House. The game flowed from end to end with both sides having opportunities to score. Good goal keeping and a solid defence ensured that no goals were conceeded. Max, in goal, deserves "the man of the match" award as he was quite busy during the afternoon. Both sides attacked and defended well and there was some great hockey on display. The crucial differences between the sides were that Eagle House were quicker on the break and the forwards were on fire, especially Oliver Cook. This was a hard fought victory over a team who were very determined. The Dragon Tournament. Wednesday 5th March. deparing at 1130, returning at 1730. The high standard of hockey achieved this term continued with an excellent display at the Dragon tournament. The squad played some fluid and well constructed hockey. Positional play and the passing were excellent. The tackling was secure and there were plenty of opportuities for the players to show their individual skills. The squad won their pool but overall came second as Magdelen College had the same number of point as Eagle House but had scored more goals. Below details of all the matches played. V Magdalen College 3 won 2-0 V Dragon 3 won 3-0 V Dragon 1 won 1-0 V Magdelen College 2 won 4-0 V Winchester House 3 won 5-0 V Dragon 5 won 2-0 V Winchester house 2 drew 0-0 V New College 2 won 4-0
Eagle House One. Julius Manton-Jones( captain)(Colours), Max Chawner Davies, William Kirk (Colours), William Beedham (Colours), Adam Dewes (Colours), Eoin O'Kane,(Colours) Oliver Cook (Colours), Toby Barnard(Colours) and Reece Williams (Colours). Match Nine Wednesday 12th March v Highfield, Wellington College, new astro at 1500 won 1-0 (Oliver Cook 1) It was good to finish the season with a victory in what was a well balanced game. Both sides played great and open hockey. Opportunities to score came to both sides and yet the finishing from both teams lacked a little polish. It could have been a better game with both sides scoring many goals. In the end it was a single goal that separated the two sides. Eagle House looked tired and seemed as though they were running on two rather than on four pistons. Perhaps a few more practice sessions between the matches would have helped. This has been a great session of hockey withm only one game lost. We have seen some fantastic hockey played , noteably the Come in the Caldicoot match and the excellent performances at the Dragon tournament. the whole squad can be pleased with the achievement and i would like to thank all the players and especially the captain, Julius, for the great contributions during the whole season. Well done, everyone! PL W D L For Against 9 7 1 1 28 9 This does not include the results at the Dragon Tournament. Colts A Squad Julius Manton-Jones( captain)(Colours), Max Chawner Davies( Colours), William Kirk (Colours), George Arnold Wallinger, William Beedham (Colours), Adam Robinson, Hamza Rubbani, Adam Dewes (Colours), Eoin O'Kane,( Colours)Oliver Cook (Colours), Toby Barnard (Colours) and Reece Williams (Colours). Also played for Colts A: Richard Morgan. Zeus Sekwalor. Elliott Hunt.
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