Sports Report – Short Half 2023, Week 6

Tuesday 17th October 2023

Football v Harrow School & Frensham Heights

The journey to Harrow is a long one and unfortunately Soccer XI’s late arrival meant a very hurried warm up. It was perhaps little surprise then that we conceded the opening goal after two minutes. What was less acceptable was conceding another 30 seconds later. Thankfully, this sparked Soccer XI into action and the remainder of the first half was a much more even affair. Timothy should have pegged one back from a corner when he was left free at the back post, but he made up for it a few minutes later with a smart finish after being set up well by Ethan Baker. 2-1 down at the break but very much in the game.

The first twenty five minutes of the second half continued in the same manner as the last twenty five of the first. Although we didn't dominate possession we were able to contain their attacks and we continued to offer a threat, especially at set piece. Disappointingly, it was a lack of concentration that saw us concede two goals in quick succession by allowing players to arrive unmarked at the far post. Heads dropped at this point and another goal was notched up by the home team in the last couple of minutes to make it 5-1. The scoreline is a harsh one but there are lessons to learn: more effective communication, total concentration, better first touch and control. Certainly three areas to address before matches resume after Leave-Out. (MSB)

The 2nd XI travelled to a windy Harrow on Tuesday, with a couple of key players missing. The game started off a bit scrappy, and we conceded an early goal due to a mix-up at the back, with their striker prodding it in. We conceded a second goal, again due to us not clearing our lines properly. We held our heads up, and a well worked goal by Jad from outside the box halved the deficit. Before the half ended, one of their CBs took the ball and shot from 30 yards out, catching the wind and beating Stephen in under the bar. We kept our heads up and Jason scored a great goal, rounding their keeper after nicking the ball from one of their CBs. Unfortunately, the wind played a part in their 4th goal, a mishit cross sailed over everyone’s head and nestled into the side netting. Jason scored another goal, making it a brace on debut for the 3rd year, and we pressed high and hard for the remaining 10 minutes, but we were unlucky to not find the equaliser. A good performance from the lads and the scoreline would’ve been different on another day. L4-3. Charles Hairy (H)

This was a frustrating game for the 3rd XI. With several regulars missing, talent was added from the 4th XI and the Senior Colts A but inevitably the team structure was chaotic at the start. Despite this, Winchester were on top early, creating several chances and being frustrated by a Harrow 'keeper who had the game of his life. To make things worse, completely against the run of play Harrow scored to take the lead into the break. The second half was all Winchester but it took until the 60th minute before Sam slotted home the equaliser. More chances followed as Winchester continued to pile on the pressure, but try as they might a winner could not be found. Credit should go to Harrow's centre backs, goalkeeper, crossbar (twice) and both goalposts who frustrated Winchester's valiant and relentless attacks. A draw seemed less than Winchester deserved. [LNT]

In our first session after a good win over Lord Wandsworth College's U15As, the JCCs faced a strong Frensham Heights team on Lords 1. Unfortunately, after the opening few minutes we were already 2-0 down in the early in the first half. Despite some good attacking efforts led by Caspar Edwards (A), Monty Weaver (K) and Samuel du Ry (G), we found ourselves another 2 goals down at half-time, with fairly repetitive shots being taken from in and around the box. We were considerably better in the second half, with several better attempts on goal, particularly from Archie Currie (H). However, the game finished 7-0 to the opposition. A decent effort from the JCCs, although the scoreline doesn't flatter us, facing a team with much more experience. [Match Report written by (MOTM) Tom Howard (E).]

A combined Yearlings C/D team took to the field for our first home game of the season against Frensham Heights who travelled from Surrey to join us on a glorious Tuesday afternoon in Winchester. It was clear from the off that the two teams were evenly matched and the early stages of the match set a frenetic pace - with both sides favouring the long ball it was end to end stuff. A few half-chances at each end increased the tension before Frensham broke the deadlock with a clean strike from range that beat our keeper and buried itself just beneath the cross bar. It was not long though before Winchester returned this in kind, with Barton Li unleashing a screamer from the just inside the box. Both sides were level at half time.

The second half began with some panicky movements from both sides and again the ball found itself moving with pace from one end of the field to the other. A poorly managed corner on our part allowed Frensham to slot the ball into the net at the back post putting them back in front. In a repetition of history, Winchester were back in the game shortly after via another long range effort. With the score once again tied, the game was poised for a frenetic final quarter. The neutral observer was not to be disappointed when Frensham repeated their first two goals with a thundering effort only to have Winchester draw level again via an unfortunate deflection off a defender which sent their keeper the wrong way following a deft cross. The final minute of the game was nail biting with the score tied at 3-3. Frensham had a corner which was scrambled away, only for Winchester to break and force a repeat at the other end. The ball was initially partially cleared only for another big shot to ping off of the bottom of the crossbar, bounce on the line and was then cleared away from danger in the last play of the match. It would have be a cruel end for Frensham in what was a finely balanced match. As it was, 3-3 was a fair score line in what was an exciting contest. [SJM]

Golf v Bradfield College (n):

On a cold, windy day and at an unfamiliar course, Winchester’s first pairing of Harry Ho (I) and Seb Wells (G) faced a tough Bradfield pairing that included a +2 handicapper. After a good start on 1, the match stayed 1 up to Winchester until the 8th, where the pair were able to break the deadlock and go on and win 5 of the next 7 holes to finish off a convincing 5&4 win.

James Redfern (A) and Ray Sanmathy (E) had a quality day against Bradfield, including Ray holing out from 65 yards for an eagle on the 5th and James holing out from 50 yards for a birdie on the 8th! The two played a very solid round of golf and were 3 up after the front nine and kept cruising until the match ended on the 15th with a 4&3 victory.

Taanvir Sood (X) and Arthur Hampel (B), the veteran pairing, played in the third seed and won their match a comfortable 5&4. Arthur (fresh off the football field, playing golf for the first time this term) and Taanvir (close to retirement and the sunshine tour) were unfazed by their opponents who gave them little competition. Solid play all round and frequent fist-pumps against weaker opposition got the job done in the end to continue the team's unbeaten streak this season.

We look forward to defending our Aldington title and playing against the OWs in the weeks to come! (T Sood, X)

All fixtures details can be found on: https://sportsfixtures.winchestercollege.org/

Sporting quote for the week:

“Goals achieved with little effort are seldom worthwhile or lasting” Former UCLA Basketball Coach, John Wooden

M.S. Burley

Director of Sport

30th October 2023

Twitter: @WinCollSports