The Chronicle, Autumn 2018

36 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Our second match was against a very experienced Ladies Hockey Team whose ages ranged from 17-31; it was a real challenge from the start but the tough opposition and requirement to step up our game definitely energised us and, as a team, our intensity really increased compared to our first game. It was also a real pleasure to feel our hard work paying off and we began to work much more as a team, getting used to playing with each other. Highlights included an almost acrobatic dive from our goalie Maddie Catchpole to save a goal in the last 30 seconds, and two impressive deflections from our centre forward Aniella Weinberger to bring the final score to 5-3; an impressive game all round. Match report by Caris Baker. Our final match was against Hockey Lorenzini, a strong opposition that had had the advantage of intensive training over the summer. Nonetheless, the Teddies hockey team managed to challenge their athleticism throughout the match with our energy and enthusiasm – even in the pouring rain! Caris Baker and Grace Flynn defended well throughout the match, tackling any attackers who came their way and Maddie Catchpole did not fail to impress by saving many shots on target. Although we had equal possession during the match, the score did not seem to reflect the effort that we put in as a team and the result was a 4-0 loss. However, the match against a very talented opposition was a great experience for us all and was great Coaches’ Player went to Maddie Catchpole and Aniella Weinberger; and Players’ Player to Sasha Withers Green. Rugby Match Reports Without much knowledge of the opposition and having not played any contact rugby for almost a year, it was difficult to know what to expect on the rugby front. Indeed several players were getting together for the very first time, and whilst a sense of trepidation was definitely evident, the confident veneer of the boys on arrival to their first game was very much required when they saw the size of the opposition. The heat slowed the pace right down, and our fitness was not yet at peak level, so it took us a few phases of contact to adjust. The floodgates soon opened in our favour, with Isaac Brennan scoring under the posts in the third minute. A wonderful display preparation for this term’s fixture list. Match report by Aniella Weinberger.

Caris Baker, Josie Piech and Phoebe Cain

Hockey Match Reports The girls’ first game v CUS Padova started off with attacks at both ends before St Edward’s managed to secure the first goal in the 6th minute: Aniella Weinberger pushed the ball perfectly into the far corner. The team continued to be on the front foot with a close short corner strike. CUS Padova got the equaliser in the 11th minute, a scrappy affair in the D which managed to just cross the line. Just before the break Aniella scored again, slapping the ball at the top D to make it 2-1 at half time.  The second half was end-to-end with a number of short corners for both teams. In the 13th minute of the second half Josie Piech deflected in a shot from Sasha Withers Green on the far post. Some determined defending from the whole team meant we finished the first game on tour with a 3-1 win.

up a valiant performance coming from 4-1 down to finish the game with a 5-3 loss; winning the final third 2-1 was a testament to their effort throughout. It was a valuable experience for the girls as the opposition's youngest player was older than our whole team! Our final full day on tour started off with a fierce thunder and lightning storm which meant the wise decision of a morning in a shopping centre followed by a tour lunch was most welcome. We then ventured out to Hockey Lorenzoni, one of the most successful hockey clubs in Italy, to play the last hockey game on tour. Against a well drilled U18 side we unfortunately lost 4-0 in an energetic contest. The hockey was soon forgotten due to the fresh pizza made in the clubhouse afterwards, a true traditional feast to finish off a great week in Italy.