Sports Report – Common Time 2024, Week 2

Thursday 11th January 2024

Squash v Marlborough College (a):

1st: W3-1

U15a: L 1-3

Saturday 13th January 2024

Hockey v Radley College & Lord Wandsworth College

1st XI v Radley College U16A (h): Lost 1-2

Despite just a single training session, it was pleasing to see most of the U15 team pick up from where they left off last Common Time in this match against LWC U16Cs. Browning opened the scoring in the 9th minute after a Hawkins' shot rebounded his way at close range. Hawkins then added to the score as he carried the ball past two players from the top of the circle and then struck a firm reverse stick strike through the keeper. As we began to move the ball around well, Bowder drove into the circle on the right side and calmly picked out Mannion Miles with a square pass, who was able to finish from near the p-spot.

Hagger was calm in goal and dealt well with anything he was asked to do. Sharrocks and Lewis, on debut for the hockey team, were strong in defence and increasingly stepped higher up the pitch to win the ball and link in with Edwards, Santagati and Mannion Miles in the midfield. The latter showed good close control with the ball to score two further goals. Kashirin, another debutant, was a willing runner up front and created plenty of space with good runs throughout the game. W5-0 [JMB]

Having warmed up in the 15s game beforehand, Hawkins began the U14 match against LWC U15Cs positively and set the tone in terms of tempo for the Yearlings. He opened the scoring in the 7th minute and then added another from close range after intercepting an attempted clearance. With many players starting in new positions to where they might previously have played it took a bit of time for us to improve our passing. As we grew in confidence and played higher up the pitch, we exerted more pressure and created more chances. We added our third goal of the half when Lund, playing his first game of hockey, calmly squared a pass across goal for Paterson to tap in.

Wilson and Lee both grew into their roles as left and right halves respectively, and their forward pressure often allowed us to break up any counter attacks. Scott-Moncrief was an energetic presence through the centre and showed good awareness with some first-time passes. On another day he might have got himself onto the scoresheet too. The game became slightly stretched later on and when Fletcher and Carnegie were beaten by our hosts Pang showed good presence in goal to deal with the danger. Hawkins finished proceedings with a reverse stick strike to seal his hat-trick and the win. This was a positive first game for the team and with competition for places high we should see some good progress over this coming week's training. W4-0[JMB]

Sunday 14th January 2024

Squash Roehampton Invitation Tournament (a):

The Winchester College 1st V: Felix Cresswell , Brian Chan (Captain) , Will. Gladston (Vice-Captain) , Ludovic Remers and Sam Barklam came a very creditable 3rd in the Roehampton Invitation Tournament. The team had a great start defeating Wellington 5-0 and their good form continued when they won their next match v U.C.S by the same score. They then had a tougher match v Dulwich where with victories by the 2nd string player and captain Brian Chan and Sam Barklam at 5th string meant that with another win, they would win their group and play for a place in the final. With Felix Cresswell (1st string) and Will Gladston (3rd String) on court the team were keen to see either player continue their great form. Felix was suddenly told that he was to play a final rally decider which he played really well only for his opponent to hit a shot that he was unable to retrieve, so it was left to Will to win his match, which he did 15-13 in the 3rd .

King’s Canterbury (the eventual winners) proved to be too strong in the semi-final and it was a rematch with Dulwich and another great 4-1 win that sealed Winchester's very creditable 3rd place. (RAA)

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

Sporting quote for the week:

There are no excuses. There are reasons, but no excuses. Reasons are opportunities to get better. Excuses are why you will never improve.” Brian Tracy – Motivational speaker

M.S. Burley

Director of Sport

16th January 2024

X: @WinCollSports