Sports Reports
W/E 25 November
Combined Age Hockey v Monkton Combe School, Saturday 19 November: Sidcot 0 – 4 MCS
We travelled away for this new fixture on our fixture card – it is always good to try new things and to be a trifle adventurous! And what good fun it was!
Our team was a mix across three year groups and I was proud of the manner in which our older students supported and encouraged our younger and less experienced ones.
The game was hard fought, Monkton proved strong opposition and there was much defending to be done early on. Frida Cardale worked hard as sweeper and Millie Ashdown hade some fabulous saves – several of which were lifted attempts that she stopped at waist height.
Sidcot began to fight their way into the game a little more and both Frankie Harrill and Cressie Hoddell began to have more input on the flanks when the ball was fed out with greater width from the midfield of Sofia Peon, Molly Carter and Verity Mann.
An injury to Verity put paid to any further play from her and the Fairley twins then took turns to man the left midfield in her absence.
Monkton netted a super goal just before the break, despite best efforts from the marking defence and Millie in the Sidcot goal.
The second half saw more of the same. Sidcot made some driving attacks and began to create better chances. Monkton also continued to create opportunities – one of which they managed to convert.
The final minutes saw a further injury and Frida Cardale – the stalwart in defence had to come off. The gap left enabled Monkton to further find the backboards.
This was a good team performance from our girls – and one with which they should be pleased.
At the end of the game the cheers were done and off we went for super teas of fish and curly fries before our trip home!!
Well done to all involved.
Player of the match: Molly Carter
Rosie Bellinger/Mary Dowds
PE Faculty
Weston & District Netball v Yatton, Wednesday 23 November: Sidcot 18 – 21 Yatton
Sidcot returned to playing with real intent, pace and determination in a game where both teams showed good flair and ability in their play. The emphasis in this fixture was to employ a short game strategy, designed to maintain better possession and hence be able to provide quality ball throughout all areas of the court. For most parts, Sidcot did manage to sustain this tactic and up against a very physical side, they were able to keep control of the ball for long periods of the game. Unfortunately, as the game progressed, it was inevitable that tiredness would play a part and with Yatton also beginning to read and intercept the flight of the ball, a few loose passes cost Sidcot dear.
However, Sidcot did not allow the intensity and close marking of their Yatton opponents get the better of them, supporting each other well to move the ball at great speed. Charlotte Dolman again led by example, using her speed and strength to outwit the very close attention of her athletic opponent. She not only created good space in and around the attacking circle for her fellow shooters, but she also tracked back to help her defenders move the ball through the centre court.
Millie Ashdown and Anouska Long were also on the receiving end of some very physical marking, but they both stuck to their task well and in quite pressured situations, managed to keep the score moving. The mid court rotation of Fatou Tounkara, Frida Cardale, Mati Grove and Jasmine Moroney all played a significant part in the team’s success, irrespective of the position they were asked to play and never allowed Yatton to dominate. Zoe Mercer and Vivian Chan again had to contend with wave after wave of attacking ball from Yatton, but as their understanding of each other’s game develops, they are becoming a great defending unit, which many teams, including Yatton, are finding difficult to break down.
Sidcot could so easily have pinched victory in the last quarter, but unfortunately Yatton just managed to stay ahead with some terrific shots on goal to win this keenly contested match.
Unlucky, girls!
Player of the match: Fatou Tounkara
Sue Taylor
Physical Education Faculty
U16 Hockey v Worle School, Thursday 24 November: Sidcot 0 –2 Worle 2
This was the final game of the season for this particular squad of girls – and what a screamer to finish up with.
In what proved a super game in very cold and windy conditions, the girl’s performed to their best in what was a very exciting, end to end, competitive encounter.
The Worle side was a particularly strong one – and the best opposition to be met this term – so the fact that the game was so balanced is a credit to our U16’s determination and resilience.
Our defence held firm for the majority of the game, Alice Joyner, Gracie Fletcher and Indeigh Winterson marked stoutly and negated many of the efforts of the Worle high attackers. Frida Cardale was again outstanding, both in commitment to ‘channel’ and challenge for the ball and in her athletic prowess in reaching it. Millie Ashdown also played key role in goal – some of her rushing out to cover angles and her taking the ball off the attackers stick were superb and really helped to keep Sidcot in contention.
The midfield (Hema Shah, Molly Carter and Yasmin Sluijmers) also worked at full capacity, aiding the defence and supporting the attack, while the attacking trio of Imi Moroney, Gretel Havercroft and Sofia Peon worked tirelessly to create chances up front.
The game could have gone either way – Worle scored a somewhat fortunate goal late in the first half but Sidcot battled tirelessly to equalise. The second half was really equally contested but Worle slotted home their second in the final touch of the game.
Player of the match: Frida Cardale
Rosie Bellinger
PE Faculty
Basketball v Downside School, Thursday 17 November: Sidcot 30 – 33 Downside
On Thursday 17 November, the Sidcot basketball team travelled to Downside School to play their first game this year. The team has new elements and have been training every Friday between 4.20pm and 5.45pm. All the boys were in high spirits and looking forward to playing their first official match this year. Sidcot won the first quarter but conceded the other three quarters. Two minutes before the end of the match, the team was down by 7 points but thanks to the determination of all the players on the court and those on the bench cheering, they managed to score. Unfortunately, they ran out of time and finished the game 3 points down. A very good effort from the whole team as it was, for most of the players, their first match ever for Sidcot. They showed great team spirt and can be proud of their performance.
First quarter: 4-9 to Sidcot
Second quarter: 18-14 to Downside
Third quarter: 25-21 to Downside
Fourth quarter: 33-30 to Downside
MVP – Jacky Siu.
Dzianis Smilevich
Coach