Sports Report – Short Half 2024, Week 7

Monday 14th October 2024

Football: JCA’s v King’s School, Winchester (h)

Following on from the much improved performance against Wellington College the boys were keen to reinforce this progress against local opponents who had pushed them last year in a close 3-2 victory. Unfortunately, within minutes it was evident the JCAs were not up against the same team and it transpired their A team had a cup match and so the B’s had been sent down.

Within minutes the goals started raining in. The first was a fine strike from Lewin H after good work from Ollie I and Isaac H and the second came after a corner with Philip C stroking home. Marauding centre forward Oscar P got on the scoresheet immediately after the kick off with a fine goal and then Hawkins rounded the keeper and finished from a tight angle to make it 4. Osamede A then grabbed a brace with the second a spectacular overhead bicycle kick which even saw the King’s subs gasp in awe! Pritchard then linked well with Catsaras who played a lovely return ball for Pritchard to score his second and then shortly before half time Catsaras provided another assist to allow Aighe to grab his hat-trick and take the lead to 8-0.

Lots of changes to personnel and positions understandably had an impact on the shape and flow of the team so it took a while to get going in the second half. A lovely corner delivered by James H allowed Aighe to head in his fourth goal and another header soon followed from Hawkins. Ludo B had moved up front from centre back and got in the action with a ricochet – they all count and then Hawkins also secured his hattrick when he inadvertently lobbed the keeper. Pritchard almost joined the hat trick club but his shot hit the post and Irvine smartly tapped in to make it 13-0. Baring bagged his brace with a much more impressive strike than his first and the final goal was put away by Bertie D for his first of the season to make it 15-0.

There are some tough matches coming up after Leave Out and it’s important the boys ensure they stay fit over the break and are raring to go for the ISFA Trophy in the first week back. (MSB)

Tuesday 15th October 2024

Badminton National Cup v Reading School (a) – Round 1:

It was a tough battle for the U16 badminton team of Ayson K, Jesse H, Issac L and Michael Z in their first round National Cup fixture. The format of four singles and two doubles matches played to one game of 21 points is pretty unforgiving, providing very little margin for error. The greater experience of the Reading School players, all involved in external clubs, was evident as Jesse, Isaac battling an ankle injury and Michael went down quickly. Ayson fought a tough match with the Reading School number 1 but couldn’t stop the singles clean sweep, losing 21-17. The doubles encounters also went the way of the singles and Reading School impressively progress into Round 2. L6-0 (MSB)

Football v Harrow, Bedales and Milton Abbey

‘The unbeaten 2s’ – a phrase that was heard ringing around Flint Court for the past several weeks, Harrow were next on the chopping block. With the added benefits of Doggers and the mighty crowd behind us we were very optimistic going into the game. Harrow, having just got off the bus were sluggish in the first 10 minutes, but Winchester struggled to make an opening at their tiredness. Winchester’s possession wreaked havoc in the midfield, with the likes of Rocket (C), Michael (I) and Ethan (D) running them ragged, but until halftime it was still deadlock.

The start of the second half brought no change, the defence of Ted (B), David (D), Tomo (D), Rhys (D), and James (B) stood tall in the face of the Harrow attackers, and the continued threat of Amaar (I), Jason (F) and Johnny (B) terrified their backline. However, Harrow were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, and with a scrappy, lucky finish, they squeezed it for an opener. Winchester bravely managed to hold off the Harrow press for a bit longer with Anthony (B) keeping us in the game. When the possession switched to our control, the Harrow defence had parked the bus, there was no way in. The full-time whistle blew, and the 2s had finally been defeated. However, with the phenomenal start to the season, the boys can only hold their heads up high going into leave-out. Lost 1-0 [Arthur (H)]

Harrow started at full speed and put the 3rd XI under pressure from the start. They had one outstanding player who caused problems, but was dealt with by Ingram (F) and Husband (H) early on. Storm weathered, the 3rd XI started to play to their strengths, moving the ball wide and to the corners and letting Le Court (K) and Riabyi (D) go to work. Both teams had chances, but as Winchester came back into the game they looked the more likely to score, and they did, twice: both opportunities being taken calmly and skilfully by Riabyi, giving the Harrow 'keeper no chance.

2-0 up at the half, Winchester started to look tired and key players needed a rest. The 3rd XI always outwork their opponents, but this game was close and Harrow will feel that they should have made more of the chances that were bravely blocked and scrambled away. Harrow scored one after a mistake in defence, but could do no more. This was not the smoothest 3rd XI performance, but the best teams can win together when they work for each other and stick to their jobs. These boys ran themselves into the ground and deserved the 2-1 win. [LNT]

The SCB put on a stellar performance against Milton Abbey on Tuesday. Despite facing a solid and aggressive opponent with some highly skilled players, we managed the game exceptionally well, combining a well-organized defence with a clinical attack. Our first goal came from a swift counter-attack. Geza (F) carried the ball forward and delivered a perfectly timed through ball to Casper on the left. Casper took a moment to set himself up before blasting a shot into the top right corner from an incredibly tight angle—an impressive finish!

For our second goal, Plum (F) sent a precise pass to Geza, who found himself in space at the edge of the box. With impressive control, Geza set up the shot and, on the half volley, smashed it into the bottom corner. It was an absolute contender for goal of the season. Milton Abbey managed to pull one back just before halftime, and although we started the second half a bit shakily and conceded another goal, that moment served as our wake-up call.

From that point on, we dominated, scoring three more goals, one of which was a brilliant free-kick by Alex (B)—another strong candidate for goal of the season. Man of the Match goes to Geza for his outstanding goal, exceptional defensive awareness, and creative offensive play. His presence was felt all over the pitch, and his relentless determination to win every tackle and make himself available for every pass makes him a fantastic captain and an inspiring role model for his teammates. Won 5-3. (JCP)

JCBs v Bedales School (a):

Draw 2-2

Golf v Bradfield College

The 1st pair was James R (A) and Seb K (A) and they were up against a couple of low single-figure handicappers. The match was very even throughout the front nine, with Seb hitting some bombs off the tee, and James' precise iron shots leading to the match being AS after nine. Then the Winchester two turned up the heat, James birdied the 10th, they both birdied the 11th, James eagled the 13th, and then birdied the 15th as well. The match was won 2 up with James shooting a very impressive 3 under.

The 2nd pair of Archie (I) and Nigel (K) were paired against two strong opponents. They started off shakily and slipped to two down quickly. However, they put up a great fightback with Archie making a birdie followed by a couple crunching drives from Nigel on 4 and 5. The game then ebbed and flowed until the 10th when Archie hit the green and made par, which levelled the match. From then on Nigel excelled, smashing his drives, placing his irons well and even holing a clutch put on the 12th. Unfortunately, with it being all square going into the last two we lost both, due to the opponents holing a couple crucial putts.

The 3rd pair of Phoom (C) and Orca (F) were evenly paired against some solid opponents. They had a decent start, halving all the holes until the 4th where they went one down. This did not put the pair off, quickly rebounding to AS then going 1 up on the 6th where Phoom sunk a superb chip from off the green. More solid drives from Orca and stunning short game from Phoom saw the match go AS for the next 4 holes as the opponents made some clutch putts. Unfortunately, a collapse in Orca's short game in the final holes of the match along with some course mismanagement from Phoom saw the pair ultimately go 3 down in the end. L2-1(James R, A)

Thursday 17th October 2024

Football Girls v St Swithun’s School (a):

Today's match at St Swithun's was an incredible performance from the Girls XI. Every player worked together to achieve effortless passes and skilful tackles. The play was excellent from start to finish.

We started the game a goalkeeper down. However, our saving grace Hesper H (B) blessed us by stepping up to the job. As a first-time goalie with no training whatsoever, she did exceptionally well, making some incredible saves. She was well deserving of MOTM. Our defence was strong, and they worked well by getting into spaces and keeping the ball away from the goal. Two goals were scored in the first half by Swithun's. However, there was no loss of morale.

The second half started, and Erica W (A) scored a lovely goal. We seemed to not get much luck with decisions but were eventually awarded a well deserved free kick. Liv P (G) took it and lifted it over the defender’s heads and into the top left. This equalised the score. Unfortunately, Swithun's scored two more goals resulting in the final score of 4-2 to Swithun's.

Nevertheless, although this was a loss, every single girl played well with excellent defence from Megan W (K), Ami B (D), Elodie T (B), and Isabella R (A) and strong attacking from Tabi P (I), Serafina S (I), Daisy T W (E), Cleo K (D), and Ottilie F (K). The team spirit stayed strong and next time, we shall come home with a win! L4-2. [Bea B (F)]

Rackets v St. Paul’s School (h):

St Paul’s always bring a strong team and this time they seemed particularly formidable.

Sen Colts A, Oscar O and Amar F, continued a fine run of victories with precise serving and steady play in the rallies. Winning game 1 in the set, they quickly took game 2 to the loss of only 2 points. Well up in game 3, the opposition managed to level at 13 all causing another set. Unfortunately, at match point up we managed to serve a double fault handing the game to St Paul’s who came back to win the game. However, Winchester regained control and took the fourth game and the match 15 - 9.

Jack B and Seb K, playing at 1st pair, competed well in the first game with Seb really showing marked improvement from the backhand court. However, having narrowly lost game 1, the pair did not ever really manage to return enough serves in the next 2.

Casper W and Sam Barklam, JCA pair, lost the first game relatively quickly but responded well to take game 2 to a set at 13 all. Although, they had good chances at this stage they narrowly lost the game. This buoyed the opposition into taking the final game but not without some positive resistance from our pair. This match could have gone either way.

2nd pair, Rupert B and Jamie M, took on a particularly strong opponent. However, they managed to compete well in game 1 and showed some fine play in the other 2 games despite losing them.

Our 2 Yearlings pairs both played the one visiting pair in a best of three match. First on were Xander M and Henry B. Game 1 went to a set with Winchester managing to win 3 - 0. The second game was more straightforward and they took it, and the match, 15 -9. As always, at this level there were a limited amount of rallies but our stroke-play, awareness of court positioning and doubles strategy looked promising.

Hugo H and Cameron M also did well in their match. Narrowly losing the first game in a set, they challenged strongly to take the second game in another set. The final game could have gone either way but St Paul’s, who had now grown accustomed to the court, managed to clinch it.

Hugo and Oscar, playing together for the first time, showed an encouraging level of competitiveness. (TERC)

Squash 1st v St. Edward’s School (a):

Win Coll. 2nd 3 V St Edwards 1st 2

Win Coll. 3rd 2 V St. Edwards 2nd 3

Badminton 1st’s v Radley College (h):

Won 13-3

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

Sporting quote for the week:

“Nobody's a natural. You work hard to get good and then work harder to get even better”

Paul Coffey, Former NHL Ice-Hockey Player

M.S. Burley

Director of Sport

18th October 2024

X: @WinCollSports