Sports Report – Short Half 2024, Week 10
Tuesday 19th November 2024
The final steeplechase run of the term, Sen, saw some excellent running from a huge number of competitors. To have a field of over 270 runners in such a demanding event was a great reflection of House spirit on show. Issa D (I) took 1st place in the boys event with fellow Hopperite Tabitha P claiming 1st place in the girls’ race. Kenny’s claimed the overall Senior trophy from Hopper’s followed by Furley’s and it was the same finishing order for the overall Steeplechase Trophy.
Congratulations also go to Ivor M (G) who gained selection to represent the Eastleigh & Winchester Districts Schools team at the Hampshire Schools Cross Country Champs which take place in January.
Rackets v Radley College (h):
2nd Pair, Jamie (G) and William (A), a relatively new partnership stormed through their opponents without losing a game. However, 1st pair, Jack (A) and Seb (A), did not give their best possibly due their running ‘Sen’ immediately beforehand. Jack at one stage had an encouraging string of serves but in the end their opponents proved too strong on the day.
Junior Colts, Casper (E) and Sam (A), did well posting a solid win by forcing the play throughout. Fergus (B) teamed up with Edward (F) in his first ever match. Although both struggled to receive from the left the rallies were quite even and although they did not win a game they got relatively close in one. This is commendable taking into account the lack of match experience they have had.
Radley brought one pair of Under 14’s who stayed on court whilst our 2 pairs played them in turn. Cameron (I) and Bear (D) went first winning their first game and then found themselves match point up in the second. However, Radley came back and narrowly took game 2 in the set and followed on by winning the game. As there was not enough time for a full final game a ‘first to 5 points’ format took place which Radley managed to win. Xander (B) and Henry (B) then stepped onto court to see what they could do. Despite Radley having one very strong player our boys managed to serve and return well enough to dictate the play for most of the match, eventually taking the win without the loss of a game. [TERC]
Thursday 21st November 2024
Stepping onto the sole court at Wellington were William (A) and Amar (I), playing their first ever match at 1st pair. This was to be a useful test in the lead-up to the Queen’s Club Nationals due to start in two weeks' time, owing to the difference in court characteristics compared to Winchester’s. Their opponents were a decent pair and in the first game Winchester found the different conditions particularly tough, losing it 6–15. This was despite some skilful returns of serve from William (A) and slick racket work by Amar (I). However, Winchester bounced back to an 8–0 lead in game 2. However, this lead was quickly diminished due to Wellington’s fine serving and despite their early advantage, Winchester was unable to close out the game, losing it 11–15. The third game followed a similar pattern as the first, resulting in a straight-games victory for Wellington. Despite the loss, this had been a respectable performance against older boys.
Next, the 2nd pair, Jamie (G) and Oscar (I), started the first of two matches, initially facing a strong Wellington second pair. At the start, the play was tightly contested. However, the Wellington pair managed to pull ahead after the first game and despite Jamie’s (G) strong serving and Oscar’s (I) well-weighted rally-play, Winchester was unable to overcome their opponents and take the win.
In their second match they challenged another experienced pair but thanks to Oscar’s (I) superb returns and Jamie’s (G) steadiness, Winchester managed to pull through, securing the first Winchester win of the day.
Finally, the 3rd pair, Rupert (K) and Angus (I), faced seasoned opponents who had gained success in National Tournaments. This match was close throughout and momentum swung from one pair to the other. Winchester worked out the court after a while and the match went all the way to a final game with Rupert hitting some impressive half-volleys and Angus delivering powerful forehands. In the end they narrowly lost but they should be satisfied that they really took the match to the opposition on their home court. [TERC]
Squash v Marlborough College (h):
Laurie S (H) had a very close match against his Marlborough opponent at U16 level who played the ball with great pace. Laurie lost the first game 6-11 ,then returning his opponents fast serve only narrowly lost the second game 13-15.By controlling the rallies and serving well he then won the next two games to force a 5th game decider. The Marlborough player proved to be too strong and won the very close match 11-5.A great match where both players played their best.
The U-15 VI had a very close match against Marlborough. Starting the match for Winchester was Daniel P (K) at 6th string who was unable to win a point in the first game! But Daniel was not to be perturbed and by rallying and placing his shots won the next three games for a very impressive 3-1 win. Jentin Y (H) at 5th string had a close 1st game narrowly losing it 9-11. As he started to control the rallies he won the next game 11-9. Unfortunately he was unable to keep the consistency and he lost 7-11 in the fourth. Seb M (F) had a very close match at 4th string. Playing great deep down the wall shots he won the first and third game only for his opponent to eventually win the match 11-2 in the 5th. Another very close match was Alfie M (I) at 3rd string. He narrowly lost the second game 10-12 only to win the third 12-10! The close, demanding games proved to be too demanding and he eventually lost 3-11 in the 5th. At 1st and 2nd string for Winchester were Ayson K (C) and Sam B (A) who proved to be too strong for their Marlborough opponents, both producing very good 3-0 wins. A very close match where a number of the Winchester side were playing only their second match. The team played very well to draw against their Marlborough opponents. D3-3
The U14 pair had a good win against Marlborough. Ratan D (X) at 1st string took command of his match and hitting the ball with good pace and accuracy had a good 3-0 win. Pun P (C) at second string who was a late replacement had a very close match with both players taking control of the rallies. He lost the first two games but with great determination won the 3rd and 4th games 12-10! Now playing good length shots Pun won the 5th 11-7 for a very good win. A very good result for the Winchester side.
Friday 22nd November 2024
Football 1st v OWFC (Maclure Pot)
The annual Soccer XI v OWFC match took place on the evening of the November exeat with an 8pm kick off under lights in Acton. The previous two matches had ended in high scoring draws and although there were several senior players from the football club making their Soccer XI debut, we were looking forward to another entertaining spectacle.
A great start for Soccer XI saw Will A (B) claim his first goal of the season after a long ball into the box from keeper Cloke Brown (B) but the OWs bounced back with two quick goals from distance. Mid way through the first half a long ball over the top saw our inexperienced back line caught out and the OWs made it 3-1 and then Will had a great chance to pull one back but saw the ball head over the bar.
We hoped the 2nd half would allow the younger and fitter 1st XI to gain a better foothold and that certainly began to happen. However, clinical finishing from the OWs saw them extend their lead to 5. We had another great chance at the back post but another shot went over and then former 1st XI keeper Will Whitehead pulled off a couple of great saves to thwart the comeback. To cement their superiority the OWs scored a 6th through a penalty meaning the Maclure Pot went their way.
Many thanks to the OWFC for all their hospitality and it was great to see so many recent Wykehamists coming out on a freezing evening to either play or support the club. (MSB & JRD)
All fixture details can be found on: https://sportsfixtures.winchestercollege.org/
Sporting quote for the week:
“It's not just about working hard, it's about working together. You have to care more about the team than you do about yourself.” NCAA Basketball Coach, John Calipari
M.S. Burley
Director of Sport
25th November 2024
X: @WinCollSports