Hockey and Basketball - Just Another Wednesday!

Date: Wednesday 30 September 2009

After last week's county tournament for the Under 16s, today was the turn of the Under 18s, with SES being drawn in a strong group containing Sevenoaks and Sutton Valence. And, after school, another young basketball squad from Canterbury High came up to challenge our seniors.

The girls won three of their matches in the morning, beating Highworth, Sutton Valence, and Blackheath GS, but, having lost to Sevenoaks, they needed to beat Sir Roger Manwood's to progress to the quarter-finals. Despite dominating the game, they lost 0 - 1 to a Manwood's breakaway, and so came home! Third in the group, but...

Coach John Maylam was disappointed not to go further, but is pleased with the progress of this year's squad. Amber Nicholls is leading from the front as captain, teamwork is developing as are levels of fitness and speed on the ball, and, best of all there is real competition for places, with the girls all wanting to play and be part of the unit. Good news indeed!

The boys came off second best to the High School, losing 38 - 49, but this was again a particularly pleasing performance because Leigh Millard gave every member of the squad some decent court time, and only put on his 'first five' for the final quarter. This final five won the quarter 16 - 9, and set the standard which everyone needs to match if the team is going to develop further still.

Arnie Dunning was top scorer with 15, Carl Fryer scored 7, and Calvin Law and Zhaoqi Tong both managed five apiece. No doubt there will be another uphill journey later in the term; in the meantime, we really should try to get down to Knight Avenue to see the Canterbury High Under 19 team in action. We will be welcome, on any Wednesday afternoon later in the term.