SPORT// BOYS’ HOCKEY
U13 XI Yorkshire
Hockey Tournament
2ND PLACE RUNNERS UP
A season of downs then ups from a
promising, highly enthusiastic and
spirited group of young hockey players.
After a slow start to the season (and busy
afternoons for our GK Ethan Pym),
we suffered back to back heavy defeat
at the hands of Ashville and Yarm,
things looked bleak on the horizon. We
struggled to find form, but with the late
addition to the squad of Luke Mosely,
we found a natural goalscorer and
something of an outlet and focal point
for our Offence. This accompanied
by the rotating defensive trio of
Falkingham, Benson and Maycock
at the back, meant we had a more
comfortable platform from which to
base our attack, which in turn became a
bit of a staple going forwards for the rest
of the season.
Our next game was a pleasing,
entertaining and much needed first win
of the season against Ampleforth, during
which our abundance of creativity was
able to manifest. The midfield core
of Hoskin, Brooks and Burton driven
by their Capt. Hutchinson, began to
form a strong and effective partnership
U12 XI
What a season for development. The
boys endured some heavy defeats early
in the season. They worked tirelessly
to improve as individuals and gel as
a team. The quality of their passing
has steadily improved and goals have
started coming. Well done!
Player of the Season:
Dipo Abayomi
Most Improved Player:
Benjie Riley & William Horsley
notching up a number of well worked
team goals in the early spring sunshine.
Hill House followed, and a 5-5 draw
indicated a flaw in our defensive tracking
back and marking, indeed something
that desperately needed to be worked
on. A superb, but tantalizing afternoon
at our home 7-a-side afternoon gave us
a true taste of what we were ultimately
capable of, but a lack of consistency/ or
gas in our final couple of games meant
that we were pipped at the post by
Scarborough College.
With our confidence high and form
ignited we followed this with a strong
win against Bradford Grammar, before
switching formats into 11-a-side at
Leeds University for the Yorkshire
Schoolboys Tournament. In years
gone by this has always been a good
indicator of a team going forward. The
U13 team has a solid core of talented
and energetic players and they (insert.
Burton, McDowell, Robson, Marson
and Scanlon) very much looked up
to the job, complementing the U13A
players in all areas of the pitch.
a superb account of ourselves we
eventually lost the game 1-0, finishing
2nd overall in the tournament, which
(experience tells me) is not an easy feat
and not to be sniffed at…
On the back of our regional success we
played St Olave’s, and despite a few
early nerves we eventually found our
attacking flair and ultimately won the
game 6-0.
Our final game of the season was an
11 goal thriller (5-6 loss) against a solid
Scarborough side, and despite both
teams having their rub of the green,
we eventually ran out of time and
struggled to force the equaliser that we
needed. But needless to say, this is a
very exciting, skilful and creative group
of players. There are not many defences
out there that they won’t be able to pick
and break down and I have no doubt
that in the years to come at the school
they will enjoy a great deal of success
together.
A superb season boys, it’ll be one to
remember. Very well done!
Three very professional back to back
wins against Ilkley Grammar, Thirsk,
and Hymers College meant we had a
great chance of winning the tournament
overall, with only Ashville standing
in the way of glory. But despite giving Player of the Season:
Charlie Hutchinson
U12A VII U12B VII
P6 / W2 / D0 / L4 P4 / W1 / D0 / L3
Highlight of the Season: Our victories
against Bradford Grammar winning 3-2
and St Olaves winning 2-0. The style in
which we won, slick passing, loads of goal
scoring opportunities and teamwork! Highlight of the Season: Our
Victory against St Olaves, 5-2. The
understanding of channels on the pitch
allowed great passing, leading too
fantastic goals being scored. Smooth
simple hockey.
Player of the Season:
Luca Maude, Sam Smart
Most Improved Player:
James Burton
Most Improved Player:
Arthur Cesbron Darnaud
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
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