Football, Hockey, Golf - A Full Programme

Date: Tuesday 13 October 2009

Too many fixtures? Not enough practice time? It is arguable that junior sides need as much practice time as they can get, to groove in the techniques which they can then employ, at pace, in School matches against sides who may be better than ourselves. No matter how hard you may try, unless the 'basics' are there, match pressure is often frustrating, and ultimately dispiriting.

The girls' Under 15 hockey side could not work harder than they currently do, but coach John Maylam is firmly of the opinion that they need more 'on the ball' practice, so that when they come up against good sides like Sir Roger Manwood's, whom they played today, they can do more than just scrap for an hour. They went down 2 - 7, having scored twice in the first half - Beth Symons and Rowan Jones - but spent most of the second period trying to repel wave after wave of attacks. Not surprisingly, goals were conceded, so, after half term, let's use practice time on Mondays to full advantage, to build the levels of performance to 'up' the chances of success in the remainder of the term.

The 1sts showed the benefit of having played and trained together over a period of years as they controlled the game against Simon Langton Girls, and won 2 - 1. They went behind to an early goal as keeper Grace Gale stopped, mistakenly, on hearing a whistle - from the football pitch! - and let in a tame shot from the edge of the circle. A good fightback then followed with Olivia Thrush sweeping one in from the penalty spot, and Amber Nicholls, severely handicapped by a damaged hip, driving home from a short corner. The second half was scoreless, with the Langton absorbing pressure, and being thwarted on the break by Gina Zahn's control of the midfield and Helen Sabine's solidity at the back. Carlotta Kopietz looks an excellent signing, creating numerous attacks, and it was a surprise that no more goals came.

The Under 15 football team went down to Maxton - again! - to meet their counterparts from Dover College, and under the temporary management of Mr Andrew Middleton, drafted in at the 11th hour to take them, won a thriller 5 - 4. Dover College offered a physical presence, as ever, but in a ding-dong tussle, a hat-trick from Louis Broutet-Rochalima, and single goals from Laurence King and Max Bungay enabled the Colts to return with the points. Rochalima's hat-trick opened with a penalty, and ended with the winner, just five minutes from time.

Finally, the golfers, who took Mr Jones away from his Under 15 duties, and went down 0 - 3 to Tonbridge School in the second round of the 'cup'. The three pairs were soundly beaten on the day by a good side, playing on the Wildernesse course at Sevenoaks. The third pair of Stokes-Newens and Anglin lost 9 & 8, 'with Max not having one of his best days' -alleged his partner! The first two pairs were both two up at the turn, but poor decision making cost them dear, as positional play was sacrificed in the quest to hit the ball as long and as far as possible. Disappointing, perhaps; a 2 - 1 win was on the cards in the earlier part of the round.