Sports Report – Common Time 2023: Week 6
Tuesday 21st February 2023
Golf v Peter Symonds’ College (h)
An enjoyable match against Peter Symond's College saw an emphatic victory for the College at Hockley GC, 3-0.
Sander Andreasen: W2UP Jack Bristowe: W5&4 Harry Xu: W4&3
Hockey U15 v Bloxham School (a)
Despite a decent amount of pitch time before the game, we began very slowly, allowing our hosts to win a penalty corner almost directly from their push back to start the game. They scored soon afterwards and added a second within the opening 5 minutes. Our response, however, was pleasing as we were able to find strong forward passes and gain territory and chances to get into the game. Kennedy scored our first from close range, having been heavily involved in our positive, forward play in the build-up. More chances came and went as we could not quite find the final pass or touch to score. However, we did draw level around 20 minutes into the game when Baljee pressed the defender, winning the ball in the circle and then following up his initially saved effort to beat the keeper. Having worked hard to get back into the game, it was then disappointing to see us conceded twice more before half-time. Bloxham had been creating chances and Gianni Garcia had made some good saves, but pressure told as we conceded from open play and then from a penalty corner just before the break.
We focused on the positives and went out to play more positive hockey in the second half. Street struck the post soon and we had the better of the exchanges in the third quarter of the game. Xiao and Winkley were positive in midfield, breaking up play and starting our attacks whilst (Birthday boy!) McGregor also grew into the game and showed off his pace in some rare forays into the opposition half for him. Once he’d properly met the Bloxham umpire, Street was able to focus his play in a positive way and scored our third goal with 15 minutes still to play, with a well-executed dribble and hit from the top of the circle.
As we pushed for an equaliser the game became stretched. Each side made quick progress towards their opponent’s circle but struggled to create clear cut chances as energy levels waned. Gianni Garcia produced some good interceptions to ensure we did not concede any more but we could not find our fourth goal either. Despite the outcome, the boys should be pleased with their improving performance during the game and use it as a platform from which to begin their next game from the first whistle. (JMB)
Hockey U14 v Lord Wandsworth College (a)
Anticipation was high for this game and the search for the first win of the season. We controlled the game well at the start and did not let the home advantage faze us. After some nail-bitingly close chances Winchester drew first blood with a composed finish from Gio Santagati. We played some fluid hockey and Seb Browning soon doubled our lead with a tackle from a sixteen after terrorising their defence all game. Ferran MG was a rock in defence making important tackles throughout the game but, with increased pressure Lord Wandsworth managed to claw a goal back with a deflection that bounced over Colin Kirk’s outstretched foot. This goal aside, Kirk had an outstanding game. This late goal made for a tense finish but we held out for a confidence building victory. Thanks to Mr McKinnel for taking us. W1-2 Report by Plum Manion-Miles (edited by JRM!)
Thursday 21st February 2023
Basketball 1st v Charterhouse (h)
This was an exciting game played with intensity and passion. Charterhouse are a very decent side, but Winchester were ahead when Van Every was injured. Rather than roll over though, the Winchester team continued to work hard and compete successfully. Charterhouse fought too, and only managed to pull away in the last couple of minutes as Winchester needed to 'chase the game' and took risks. Winchester's defence was tough and determined, and there were some outstanding individual performances offensively. Ultimately though, the Charterhouse side just executed their set plays better in the crucial moments. So, disappointing, but in many ways this was one of the team's better performances of the year, and on another day the result might have been different. High scorer was Nemo with 16 points. (LNT)
Basketball U16 v Charterhouse (h)
Winchester outplayed Charterhouse in every way except scoring simple shots. This was a shame, because in all other aspects this was probably this Winchester team's best performance. Most importantly, they showed a toughness and willingness to battle that has been missing in the past. I think Charterhouse will come away thinking they were lucky to get away with this one, and Winchester know what to do to beat them next time. (LNT)
Fives: Inter-house competition U15’s Won by Toye's
Golf U18 v Stoneham GC (a)
Six of our top golfers (minus the unwell Isaac Haines) enjoyed a wonderful afternoon of golf at Stoneham GC as part of our preparation for the upcoming Micklem Trophy. Seb Wells (G) & Taanvir Sood (X) were out first and, despite a slow start and Wells' fatigue from a half-term trip to Spain with the Hampshire squad, rallied strongly in the second half of the round to finish level par. Jack Bristowe (A) & James Redfern (A) performed strongly in the second group and looked set to steal the win before letting their score slip between the fingers on the closing holes, finishing 2 over par. Regardless, the Furley's House Golf team is shaping up rather nicely! Arthur Hampel (B) & Sander Andreasen (A) made up the third group and, as the youngest pairing, perhaps could have been thought of as unlikely candidates to win the day. However, some fantastic golf from them both and a total of 7 birdies between them, saw a 1 under par finish and the sweet taste of victory and bragging rights. (RM)
Squash U18 v Bryanston School (a)
The Sen V had a good win away v Bryanston. With the Bryanston players retrieving well, hitting the ball accurately to a good length or punishing them for their poor shots was the difference between victory and defeat. There were very good wins for Oscar Henshaw, Ivo Sawbridge and Rory McGregor whose games improved by playing good line and length and cutting out their errors. A good 3-2 win before the team's next fixture Away fixture v Eton. (RAA)
Squash U15 v Bryanston School (a)
Winchester College's U-15 VII had a very satisfactory 6-1 win Away at Bryanston. On lively courts concentrating on the basics by serving well, hitting a good length and retrieving their opponents shots created good wins in all but one of the matches. It was good to see all the players playing for their team and being rewarded by good wins. A good result before their Away match v Eton next week. (RAA)
Match Facts: Arthur Duckworth W 2-1 : Pran Busrapan W 2-0 : Freddie Spearing L 0-2 : Zach Goulding W 2-0 : Matthew Leung W 2-1 Kentaro Tada W 2-0 Phol Suksriwong W 2-0
Badminton v Wellington College & Charterhouse (a)
We won this triangular match with outstanding victories against both Charterhouse and Wellington at the annual TRI tournament.
Saturday 25th February 2023
Badminton 1st v Bradfield College (h)
Having beaten Bradfield several times before, they asked for us to put out a third team. Thus, putting out a third team for the first time this year, despite some pairs never having played together before, after a brief warm up, the fixture began.
The first round ended in a tie with WC’s first and second pairs comfortably wining 21-8 and 21-7 against Bradfield’s fourth and third pairs respectively. The second round was closer: WC’s first pair was caught off-guard by Bradfield’s surprisingly good defence and barely scraped a win 24-22. Our second pair of Yuyao and Oliver comfortably won again and the third and fourth of Josiah-Brian and Alex-Peiyan were still trying to find their footing against stronger pairs.
In the third round, we saw the air change. WC’s second pair fought their way through a three-setter but ultimately lost against Bradfield’s first. Whilst our first pair of Derek and Vincent lost in another nail-biting three-setter, ending the match with a 23-25 loss. With our last two pairs also losing, this tipped the favour to Bradfield’s side. In the final round, only the second and third pairs managed to positively contribute to the score line, with our first pair losing in another three-setter and the fourth putting on their strongest performance yet: only to narrowly lose the second set 18-21.The final score was 10-6 to Bradfield. For a new team with new pairings, not a bad outcome.
MOTM – Alex and Peiyan for agreeing to perform in a match despite not having played together before (V. Gueguen, H)
Fencing 1st v Abingdon School (a)
FOIL A: 45-41 (LOST) FOIL B: 45-29 (LOST)
EPEE A: 45-31 (LOST) EPEE B: 45-31 (LOST)
Fives U18 v St Paul’s School (a)
After a slow start in the singles the Wykehamists found their feet and the doubles went very much to plan. Winchester won 169 - 133
Fives U15 v St Paul’s School (a)
A good comprehensive win; Winchester won 137-90
All fixtures details can be found on: https://sportsfixtures.winchestercollege.org/
Sporting quote for the week:
“We don’t have to be superstars or win championships every time…. All we have to do is learn to rise to every occasion, give our best effort, and make those around us better as we do it.” (John Wooden Former UCLA Basketball coach)
M.S. Burley
Director of Sport
28th February 2023
Twitter: @WinCollSports