Page 41 - Bloxhamist 2017-2018

SPORT

boYs’ HocKeY

The 1st XI enjoyed a strong start to and ran, tackled and encouraged for
the season, producing wins against every minute of every game. Charlie
Stowe (3-1) and Solihull (2-1). At this Oakey and Sam Stich were the engine
point it was evident that the team room, creating or scoring the goals
could be tactically versatile due to the but every player was integral to the
game intelligence of Toby Staveley improvements achieved during the
Parker, Alex Elliot and Freddie Symons. term. The season concluded with four
The next part of the season proved draws and two wins, with the 1-1 draw
difficult with injuries to two key at Dean Close and Charlie Oakey’s
players Harry Simons and Morgan four goals in the 6-1 win against
Haylor. Heavy defeats came to Dean Rendcomb two big highlights. Overall,
Close, Abingdon, Warwick and King it was a good season from a group of
Edward’s School, Birmingham, but the enthusiastic boys.
strength of character of Ben Stapleton, fine wins against Pangbourne College
Toby Staveley Parker, Freddie Symons (2-1) and King’s School, Gloucester The Junior Colts A XI team continued
and Henry Hopkins shone through (2-0). Mr Dales found the victory over this season in the same vein as the
in these matches. After half term, the Pangbourne particularly pleasing when last, looking to progress their skills and
team had much deserved wins against a goal was scored by Joe Maw in the last overall increasing their ability to play
Princethorpe (3-1) and Bromsgrove minute! He notes that throughout the creative and exciting hockey. It could
(4-1), with Morgan Haylor showing season the boys have been competitive, be suggested that this was shown by
his good form in both games, as well improving greatly and a pleasure to the team managing to score 21 goals,
as against Pangbourne (2-0), where be with. Particular praise and thanks the most goals scored by a Junior Colts
Harry Simons and Sam Canale-Hopwell must be given to Archie Hood for his hockey team in the last 10 years!
controlled the midfield, Will Dowling defensive play as well as his strong Special mention must go to captain
demonstrated his versatility as a player leadership. Furthermore, Charlie Tom Rymer, who led the team to five
slotting into left back and Ed Whitfield Lewis-Jones proved to be a very strong victories this season and matched the
offered movement and control up front. and effective defender. same goal difference as last year, and
During these final games, Alex Elliot, Charlie Daniels who won our Players’
Owen Maginnis and Freddie Prior The Colts A XI team was without a Player of the Season, he was a rock at
also found their goal scoring touch, to win in three years and, for various centre back. We are certainly looking
provide some influential and match reasons, missing six of it’s top players. forward to seeing the Junior Colts A
defining moments. Jamie Jeffrey was cajoled into being team players fit into a senior squad,
GK and did an excellent job. Tom Bird as all of them have displayed a great
Thanks goes to the Upper Sixth leavers captained the team from centre back passion for the game and a thirst for
who finish this year; Sam Canale- knowledge about how to improve. It
Hopwell demonstrated his strong was a great season, and one that will be
leadership early on in September remembered by all involved.
running pre-season, with his no
nonsense, determined approach The Junior Colts B XI performed well
providing the team with a backbone; this season, even though the statistics
top goal scorer, Player of the Season suggest otherwise. A good win against
and flicker Alex Elliott; Will Dowling Pangbourne, at the end of a tiring term,
who had a fine and well deserved was encouraging. They were out-
final season at left midfield; Harry played by an excellent Abingdon side
Simons who added a threat on the right and out-muscled at Bromsgrove, but
side of midfield, as well as offering the games against Stowe and Solihull,
the versatility to play in the centre starting and finishing the season, both
of midfield; Freddie Prior was an demonstrated width and pace when
unpredictable right winger; and Owen distributing in attack. However, the
Maginnis, a regular goal threat up front. highlight of the season was the 4-4
draw against Warwick, with both sides
It was another enjoyable season for playing fast attacking hockey and using
the 2nd XI who say farewell to match the full space of the pitch. Eighteen
day manager/umpire Mr Dales, who players represented the team with
steps into retirement this year having different captains leading, highlighting
supported hockey at Bloxham since good strength in depth.
he was appointed as Head of Hockey
in 2009. After some tough matches at Unfortunately, the Junior Colts C
the beginning of the 2nd XI’s season, XI team had a few games cancelled
the boys finished with a flourish, two this season but the memorable draw
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