SPORT // RUGBY & GIRLS ’ HOCKEY
U12B XV
For a vastly inexperienced group of players , of whom several had never played rugby before , the team have performed above what was expected this year . Whether won or lost , each game was used as a learning experience and areas for improvement were targeted in the following training sessions .
As the season progressed , more players attended extra training sessions , highlighting their desire for further improvement .
The highlight of the season for me as their coach was away at Yarm where the team showed great character to come back from an early two-try deficit and win convincingly . Each player fought for the team , they understood their roles and defended their try-line as if their lives depended on it .
Most improved player has to be Jack Hunter . He has gone from not playing rugby until joining the school in September , to recently graduating to the A team with a string of incredible performances on the rugby field . Jack has led by example each game with his strong tackling and ball carrying , scoring some vital tries in the process .
Player of the season must go to Will Hamblin . He has led by example in every game , is a strong ball carrier , unafraid to tackle and has been a player that others have looked up to each game – especially those that we lost . Unbelievable performances from a wonderful player . Congratulations !
Player of the Season : Will Hamblin Most Improved Player : Jack Hunter
GIRLS ’ HOCKEY 1st XI
A season that saw the return of the team embarking on a short pre-season tour at Stamford School , this would enable the squad to plan and prepare what we wanted to pursue and achieve through the season .
Results are not the sole indicator of how much this group has developed over the season . Amy Jordan has shown great maturity in the way that she has led the squad and , with some Lower Sixth students remaining , several U16 girls have gained extended pitch time , plus with the introduction to Senior Hockey for two U15 students , there is much to be excited about for the squad .
And from our Captain :
After a year of no matches , it was great to get back to it . We started off our season with an educational pre-season tour to Oundle School , Peterborough . Having not mixed as a group before , it was the perfect opportunity to get to know each other and to come back with a much better team moral . Over the season there have been ups and downs – one of our best performances was against Barnard Castle , winning 6-2 . We put on a fierce and demanding front , driving from the defence and working as a team to put six goals past them . Throughout the season , we have continued to go from strength to strength , developing our teamwork and challenging ourselves to become the best we can . This was proven in the outstanding results against Queen Margaret ’ s , Scarborough , and a very tight game against Sedburgh . I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as captain this season , and I wish all the girls in the team the best of luck next season .
Full Colours : Amy Jordan
Half Colours : Maddie Parkinson , Lucy Hatfield , Emma Rumgay and Connie Pride
Player of the Season : Amy Jordan Most Improved Player : Izzy Rowley
38 THE POCKLINGTONIAN