Sports Report – Common Time 2024, Week 4

Tuesday 23rd January 2024

Chess v King Edward VI (a):

Won on board count after a 3-3 match score.

Squash v Radley College (h):

1st: Won 4-2

U14A: Won 4-1

Thursday 25th January 2024

Badminton v Harrow School (a):

Our best four pairs travelled to Harrow for our first match of the term. Although we suffered a loss of 6-2, we could all agree that every set was of a very high standard, and almost each game was a close, well-fought one. Each pair was forced to cooperate and strategize against the skilled Harrow players, and by the end of the match there were significant adaptations in play.

The man of the match was first year pupil Ayson K, who with John Paul C, tightly won both of their games in spectacular fashion. A highlight of the match was Ayson's springy jump smashes from the back court.. Another honourable mention is Oliver F, who took over Vincent G's usual spot in the top 8. Despite being relatively inexperienced with his new teammate, he did well and played to the best of his ability. [Alvin Y (I)]

Basketball v Sherborne School (h):

The Winchester U18’s have been a little passive at times this year, but not this week! This was a new, tough, determined side who fought for every ball and worked for each other. Brack was on a mission defensively and Larbie dealt with Sherborne's giant centre with ease. Yi's jump-shot was not firing as usual, but this did not stop him as he made a complete nuisance of himself on defence, stealing the ball and running away for multiple fast break points. This could not have happened, however, if the physicality and discipline of the rest of the team had faltered and allowed Sherborne more options. What's more impressive is that Sherborne have some fine players and is a noticeably better team than others Winchester have lost to this year. In the end this was a comfortable victory based on team work and graft and every player deserved praise on the day.

The U16 encounter was initially a very close match against a big, physical Sherborne team with a few outstanding players. Towards the end of the first half, however, Winchester started to link together good passages of play and pull away. Edis led the way, scoring at will and pulling off the a huge dunk to get the team fired up: a drop down from the free throw line in a half court offence over the opponent's talented centre. Sherborne targeted Edis after half-time and for a while he lost his focus, but by now the rest of the team were operating slickly and with everyone contributing at both ends of the court the score-gap widened. For Winchester this was a combined U15/U16 team and it was good to see the two year-groups working so well together. [LNT]

Fencing v Charterhouse (a):

A valiant effort from both our foil and epee teams. The foil team did a exemplary job, but lost 41:45 to the Charterhouse squad. The epee team beat Charterhouse 45:42, putting on a fantastic performance, especially with the unexpected absence of one of our members. The day was saved by first-time epeeist Lucien G who stepped up to use the weapon for the first time, having previously fenced in the foil rounds. Overall, well done to all fencers. (C. MacBean, B)

Foil lost 45/41

Epee won 45/42

Fives v Christ’s Hospital (a):

The U18A’s match started with a comprehensive win for us in the doubles (11-2), however the singles proved to be a much tougher proposition as our opponents were more able to utilise their home court advantage. The Christ Hospital top seed in particular proved too strong beating both Anthony and Arthur (2-11, 6-11 respectively). Luckily we were able to reduce our loses against their left-handed second seed and hold on to our overall lead. Overall Score: 42-31

U18B’s: After the first game of doubles it looked like it was going to be a tough afternoon as our 2nd pair (Daniil & Theo) had been well beaten 11-3 against what was supposed to be their 2nd pair. Singles followed the first round of doubles and after the 4 games of singles it was honours even at 54 all - everything rested on the final doubles round. Daniil & Theo, buoyed by the realisation their first game was against the first pair, played some sensible, if at times slightly chaotic, fives to win 11-6. Our first pair (Ben & Felix) were still on court and while they had made a solid start the momentum was shifting and what had initially looked like a forgone conclusion was looking less secure. Luckily though we were able to just about pull things together and win the game (11-6) and the match overall. Overall Score 76-66

This was the U14A’s first away match and their first experience of the rugby fives code and turned out to be a victorious one. After our number one (Henry) came through a tough singles game to win 11-8 the others took the lead and we took a healthy lead into the doubles. Their were some closer games in the doubles but in the end our greater experience showed and we ended up with a very healthy win. Overall score: 77-26

Hockey

U15A’s v Dauntsey’s (a): Lost 0-1

The Jun Colts second match of the hockey season proved to be a tough one on a wet and windy day at Dauntsey’s. Captained by Plum M-M Winchester were unfazed and in good spirits ready for the challenge. We started slowly on a tough and slow sand based astro The Dauntsey’s defenders calmly moved the ball well transitioning into the central area of the pitch within the first half creating multiple chances early on.

Santagati and Edwards both settled nicely, and both grew into their roles as centre halves pushing right and left respectively when needed. They were able to pressure often which allowed us to break up any counter attacks and push forward to use the pace of Bowder and Browning who were waiting up front. Winchester could have easily been 3-0 down within 15 minutes but the brilliance of Lewis in defence along with some excellent saves from Hagger kept the score at 0-0.

Dauntsey’s scored with about 10 minutes to go thanks to a brilliant defensive Aerial which found the left winger and was nicely slotted by the Dauntsey’s forward to give the home team a 1-0 HT lead. The second half was a lot more positive from Winchester as we adopted to playing further forward to create more chances within their defensive circle. Lots of positive runs from Browning, Bowder and Mannion-Miles were unfortunately stopped by the opposition defence and some well fought battles on the middle of the pitch sadly didn’t go our way.

A lot to learn from the fixture with the score at full time being 1-0 Dauntsey’s. A good effort from all and fantastic match tea provided afterwards! (TJF)

U14A’s v King’s School, Winchester (a)

A slightly re-shuffled Yearlings team since their last game, began fairly positively, with Hawkins acting as the play-maker and looking to encourage our forwards to play wide and high. Hunt and Scott Moncrief provided plenty of energy in midfield and linked the play together well. Both sides had chances but King’s took the lead with a reverse stick strike beyond Lassalvy, who was making his debut in goal having first donned the kit that afternoon. Hawkins provided the equaliser with a quick dribble and finish from close range. There was plenty of encouraging play in the second half too, as we pressed higher and Irvine, Paterson and Khanittaweekul stretched the play and found themselves in good positions to provide chances or get strikes on goal. Despite ours, and especially Hawkins, best efforts we conceded once more. Hawkins once again found a response to level the game and it finished in a fair 2-2 draw. [JMB]

Rackets v Marlborough College (a):

Bertie V and William H-J represented the 1st pair and comfortably completed a solid 3 - 0 victory. In the U18B’s Seb K and Amar F, played well together posting another decisive win, 3 - 0. The 3rd’s, Rupert B and Angus H did not win but are showing signs of improvement.

JCA, Oscar O and Dima K, found themselves up against competitive opponents and were within one point of going 2 games - 1 up. Unfortunately however, they lost that game, the next and the match. JCB pair, Amar F and Fergus T, playing his first ever match, coasted to a 3 - 0 win aided by Amar’s precise serving and, at times, solid returning by both.

Finally, in the Under 14’s, Sam B and Felix C, again on his first outing, although ultimately losing, really competed well on the away court winning decisively game 3. This was an encouraging start. (TERC)

Swimming v Wellington College (a)

Wellington College was our first out of five galas this term, probably the most we have had in the past four years. With our winning record against them, the bus had an air of unusual ease.

I can't remember the last time we arrived early to a swimming gala. That day, we arrived with twenty minutes to spare. It gave us ample time to warm up in their 4-lane, 43-year-old pool with no gutters and slippery diving blocks. We expected a victory, and what a victory we had. We won all U18 races and half of the U16 races with a final score of 112 : 73. However, with the opposition not particularly strong it was not a victory we can boast about. With some belly flops and missed turns from some of our newest members, it was clear that there was a lot to improve on. Nevertheless, we remain undefeated in 2024. (M. Yan, VI1, I)

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

Sporting quote for the week:

“A true leader is someone who is going someplace and taking people with him, a catalyst for elite performance who enables people to achieve things they wouldn’t achieve on their own” Urban Meyer, former NCAA and NFL Coach

M.S. Burley

Director of Sport

29th January 2024

X: @WinCollSports