St Edward's Chronicle Summer 2018

32 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Boys’ Hockey By Head of Hockey, Zak Jones

The 1st XI made a positive start to the hockey term at the Clifton College pre-season festival. After a slowish start, losing their first game to Abingdon and drawing with Clifton, the squad, led by captain Oliver Kynge, never looked back, winning both games on the Sunday, beating a talented Clifton College side 1-0 and then Taunton School 3-0. Despite the 4-1 loss, their opening fixture against Abingdon on a Friday, at home, under lights, was a real success, with a great atmosphere created by the large home support; it is something the Hockey Club will look to do again in future. On a wet and grey day in Berkshire, the 1st XI beat Wellington College 3-1 in their next fixture. Despite a dominant first half, they only had a well-worked team goal from Max Liddy to show for their efforts and when Wellington levelled things with only ten minutes to play, a draw looked likely. However, Teddies dug deep and delivered some scintillating hockey to finish the game. An impressive goal from Will Monks and another from Max Liddy sealed the victory.

At home against Rugby, the 1st XI produced a fine first-half performance to lead 2-0 at the break, courtesy of goals from Toby MacLachlan and Max Liddy, but Rugby pegged them back to 2-2 early in the second half and although the 1st XI took the lead again through MacLachlan, a poor spell of defending allowed the visitors to race into 5-3 lead which Teddies never recovered from. Despite a late flurry of chances and a spectacular Tom Powell backhand goal, the 1st XI were beaten by the odd goal in nine. A disappointing run of results followed including losses to Bradfield, the Martyrs, Radley and MCS. The 1st XI found their form again in a thrilling draw with Stowe. They somehow found themselves 3-1 down late on, in a game in which they had had the upper hand, but showed immense resilience, character and skill in scoring two late goals for the draw. With Bloxham cancelled due to snow, their next fixture was Marlborough away. Shorn of a number of players due to injury and illness, the 1st XI put in a battling performance. The

first half was very evenly contested but an early goal and two defensive errors in as many minutes resulted in the side going into half time 3-0 down. Despite playing some good hockey and creating a number of chances, they could not find a way through a strong Marlborough side who reached the quarter finals of the U18 national competition. It is worth noting that U16 Felix Parr was outstanding in goal on his 1st XI debut, with Luke Valentine, Toby MacLachlan and George Newson also superb. In their final fixture against a strong Cheltenham XI, the 1st XI produced one of their best performances of the season and were very unfortunate to go down 2-1. They were level courtesy of a fantastic team goal, superbly finished by Toby MacLachlan, but Cheltenham scored a slightly controversial goal in the final minute of the match to steal victory. Despite a promising early season result with a 1-0 win over Bloxham in the county tournament, the U16A had a challenging season against strong opposition. Their highlights included a thrilling 3-3 draw with Stowe and they rounded off the season with a fine 3-1 win against Cheltenham. The U16Bs had a great season, boasting the best record in the Hockey Club. They won four fixtures against Wellington, MCS, Stowe and Cheltenham as well as earning battling draws with Abingdon, Radley and Marlborough, all of which Teddies could very easily have won on another day. The boys worked incredibly hard all season and were led by Player of the Season, Arthur Boanas, who was outstanding at the back throughout. The U15As, despite a tricky run of results, made huge progress on the hockey pitch and with some more luck, and a little more composure in front of goal, it could have been a very different story. The best performance was saved until the last against Cheltenham and there were notable contributions throughout the term from James Marsh (Player of the Season), Phillip von der Linden, Gus MacLeod and Freddie Kelly (Most Improved Player).  The U15B team had a very encouraging season. They showed real dedication over

Hamish Roots

Max Liddy