Sports Reports w/e Friday 29 January
Girls’ U12 Hockey v Priory School, Thursday 28 January: Sidcot 1-1 Priory
Playing under lights, with a cold wind blowing, Sidcot began the game enthusiastically and competed well in the early exchanges. Both teams demonstrated good skill and control when in possession and were also eagerly contesting for any loose ball. Sofia Parker-Mills and Maisie Warren were especially tight in defence, denying the Priory attack of any shots on goal. Lily Arnold and Lottie Gunter worked hard in the midfield to provide their own attack force with quality ball.
Just before the break the ball was moved quickly forward for Lottie Gunter to slot it confidently past the keeper to make the half time score 1-0.
The second half remained an equally balanced game, but Priory started to push further forward and after a series of short corners managed to eventually find the net.
This was an excellent and encouraging first performance by all the girls, very well done.
Player of the match:- Sofia Parker-Mills
Nigel Taylor
PE Faculty
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Girls' U13 'A' Hockey v Priory School, Thursday 28 January: Sidcot 2-0 Priory
The girls were slightly apprehensive prior to the match as it was the first game of year, however this certainly didn’t show during the game. Sidcot were strong from the beginning with Amber, Jazz and Ciara showing some good communication and clearing the ball from defence, and any lucky breaks made by priory were deflected by Frankie in goal. Freya held her own in midfield and played some strong passes up to our forwards; Miriam, Maisy, Katie and Sarah who kept us all in suspense until the last minute. The ball was passed wide to Maisy who crossed it in to the centre where Katie tucked it in to the goal. Sarah picked up the ball down the left wing, bought it into the middle and made it 2-0 just before the end whistle. A fantastic start girls, well done!
Player of the match: Freya King
Viki Lough
PE Faculty
Girls' U13 (B) Hockey v Priory School, Thursday 28 January: Sidcot 0-2 Priory
This was a determined performance from these girls – they already show vast improvement this term. The team started well, driving forward in attempts to attack the Priory goal. Priory fought back hard, however, and began to get the upper hand, but the Sidcot defence held firm, closing the Priory attackers down successfully. Ruby Cogan was also called upon to make an excellent early save in the Sidcot goal.
There were continual adjustments of position to best use the rolling subs. and some advice about marking and tackling ensured a good second half performance.
The final five minutes saw a flurry of attack from the Priory forwards and despite best efforts they managed to score a late couple of goals in what was otherwise a very even sided, end to end game of hockey.
Well done to all – a highly creditable performance.
Player of the match: Bella Jarman
Rosie Bellinger
Head of PE Faculty
U16 Netball v Priory School, Thursday 28 January: Sidcot 14-7 Priory
This began as a closely fought game with both sides keen to keep possession. The pace was fast and furious and lacked accuracy on both sides. Once the Sidcot girls adjusted to the slippery floor and slowed the game down to their pace they began to create a good rhythm and pull ahead on the score.
Maddy was closely and aggressively marked in the shooting D but supported Izzy well by creating space and collecting rebounds. Beth and Zoe intercepted many attacking balls disrupting the flow of play for Priory. Matty and Milly created space in the centre court and supported the shooters positively around the edge of the D creating several good scoring opportunities. Sydney linked well from defence marking her opponent tightly. The third quarter was the team’s best period where their timing and movement resulted in fast flowing accurate netball, and where they won the match. The last quarter was a messy affair with neither team controlling play and both made a lot of mistakes.
Player of the match: Isabel Fowles
Mary Dowds
Physical Education Faculty
Avon County Indoor Athletics Trials, Bristol Grammar School, Saturday 30 January
A number of our students were invited to take part in these trials following their good performances representing Sidcot at the North Somerset Inter-School Championships.
Those who attended performed with determination and endeavour against the best in the County.
Lottie Gunter and Erin Crofts finished 4th and 5th respectively in the long jump and Jim Mitchell 1st in the triple jump and 5th in the 4-lap race.
Matt Fisher competed in the Under 15 age group. His best individual placing was second in the 4 lap race. He had a series of further good performances which placed him 5th all-rounder of the day; superb.
All our students achieved highly creditable performances. Well done to all.
Rosie Bellinger
Head of PE Faculty
South West Fencing Age Group Qualifiers, Sunday 31 January
Three of our students travelled to Millfield School to take part in these Championships and all acquitted themselves well against stiff competition. All were quite nervous – this was a big event with many fencers in attendance in various age groups and across a range of different fencing disciplines.
In the U15 section Betsy Mak worked hard in her poule and also performed well in direct elimination eventually finishing in the top 8.
Hamish Lam also fenced well, scoring some good hits against very strong opposition. He finished 3rd in the poule matches and also had a final placing within the top 8.
Tom Bradley had competed the previous weekend in the U18 section of the same qualifiers. He fenced well but came up against the eventual winner in the first elimination which ended his run in the competition and gave him a final placing of 14th in the South West.
Alessandra was first to compete - but last to be reported on! She took a while to settle her nerves, but in each match defended herself quite well and determined to be as attacking as possible. She scored some good hits but was also caught on the counter by a number of her opponents. Her fencing improved as the day progressed but she sadly went out in the first direct elimination. However – the news is good – Ale finished 3rd overall and has therefore qualified to progress to the All England Championships at Sheffield in April.
A very well done to all our fencers – it was a real pleasure to watch them compete.
Rosie Bellinger
Head of PE Faculty
U13 Winter Games Sportshall Athletics Finals, University of the West of England, Monday 1 Feb
The Lower Fourth girls performed with real determination at these finals – having qualified in first place in North Somerset prior to the Christmas break. Competition was fierce as only the top 8 school in the county progress through to this stage.
There were some fabulous, gutsy performances from all of our students and all should be proud of their efforts.
Individual results are not yet known, but as a team they finished a highly creditable 5th place – a super achievement indeed against very large schools and strong opposition.
Particularly pleasing was their super sporting attitude – and their unprompted wish to thank those involved in organising the event. As ever, a real pleasure to take them out to a sporting event.
Well done to all.
Rosie Bellinger
Head of PE Faculty
Girls' U12 VII Hockey v Worle School, Thursday 4 February: Sidcot 1-4 Worle
This was a tenacious performance from these girls, who are always competitive and keen to do well. They had to work hard to move the ball at pace and to use the space available – a much larger area than we have so far practiced on. They played determinedly throughout, striving to win the ball in strong tackles and to drive forward to the Worle goal as often as possible. In what proved a reasonably balanced first half, Worle scored first, despite some great tackling and clearances from the Sidcot defence. There were further chances for both teams and both converted chances – Sidcots’ was deftly slotted home by Erin Crofts.
The second half began brightly with more good passing and some crunching tackles. There was stalwart defending from Maisie Warren and Sofia Parker-Mills and some good saves from Issie Fawcett. Lily Arnold ensured good linkage through from the midfield. There was good running and use of space by forwards Lottie Gunter, Molly Whitcombe, Anna De La Torre and Erin Crofts.
This was a very pleasing effort and performance. The girls should certainly be congratulated for their competitive display.
Player of the match: Maisie Warren
Rosie Bellinger
Physical Education Faculty
Girls U14 Hockey v Worle School, Tuesday 2 February: Sidcot 0-1 Worle
This was a much improved performance from that of last week. It was super to see the girls take so much from the Priory game and post match talk last week and implement it in this match at Worle.
Both teams began brightly. The game was a very flowing end to end affair with both teams creating good chances. Worle, perhaps, had the better of them early on but good marking, determined tackling and some super saves by Maddie Northcott in the Sidcot goal kept the score at 0-0.
The second half was as equally fiercely contended and in a game where Worle proved quite adept at lifting the ball and striking it very hard, it was really pleasing to see our girls unflustered and robust in their play, both on and off the ball.
Again, both teams had good attacks – and for very nearly all of the game both defences stood firm. An unusually good and lifted shot (for this age group) resulted in a goal for Worle – the ball lofted over Maddie’s head and into the top corner of the net.
Sidcot did their utmost to respond with several driving attacks – but sadly a goal was not forthcoming!
The girls should be pleased with their performance – I certainly was. Both the spirit and endeavour were fabulous.
Player of the match: Maddie Northcott
Rosie Bellinger
Head of PE Faculty
Girls’ U16 Netball v Worle School, Thursday 4 February: Sidcot 7-16 Worle
Although the difference in goals at the final whistle may well indicate a one sided affair, this was in fact a very close and exhilarating match to umpire and watch. Both teams exhibited terrific speed and a high degree of skill, in a game that constantly went from end to end.
Sidcot more than matched their opponents in every department, despite the height disadvantage in some of their key positions. No more was this evident than in both shooting circles, but Hema Shah, standing in due to last minute illness and Beth Evans worked tirelessly to deny quality ball reaching the very decisive and accurate Worle shooters.
At the other end of the court Maddy Hann and Issy Fowles linked superbly to create space and opportunities for each other, with some excellent dodging and timing. The closeness of the game was such that at half time the scores were shared at six all, but unfortunately in the second half Worle certainly increased their intensity. This forced Sidcot to spill more of the ball, which Worle quickly capitalised upon to pull away, winning eventually by nine goals.
All the girls should feel very pleased with this performance and take much credit for contributing to such an enjoyable and exciting game.
Player of the Match: Mati Grove
Sue Taylor
Physical Education faculty
Boys' 1st XI Football v Taunton School, Saturday 30 January: Sidcot 5-4 Taunton
Against a very talented Taunton School, Sidcot were 3-1 down at the break due to Captain Marios Michael being sidelined half-way through with a badly sprained ankle. Sidcot came out all guns blazing in the second half, bringing the score back to 3-3. Marios bravely returned and Sidcot began to dominate possession much to the frustration of Taunton. Will Corderoy scored a fourth goal to make it 4-3. Despite being on top, Taunton drew level with 5 minutes to go with every Sidcot player scrapping to the final whistle. Will scored with an outstanding long-range effort to take all the glory. This was no doubt one of the best Sidcot performances I've seen during my time here: each and every player ran themselves into the ground showing excellent comradery team spirit.
Player of the match: Will Corderoy
Alex Smith
PE Faculty
Boys' Football v Davenies School, Saturday 30 January: Sidcot 3-7 Davenies
On a sunny Saturday morning, a team consisting of boys from Years 4 to 7, welcomed a side from Davenies School, Buckinghamshire, for what proved to be an exciting and very engaging match. With a large crowd looking on, both sides produced some highly entertaining football, despite the unfavourable pitch conditions.
With the crowd cheering the boys on, it was the visitors who made the quicker start, establishing an early 3-0 lead. Despite the poor start, Sidcot rallied, with the ever busy Fletcher Hann and Henry Williams terrorising the Davenies defence. Their work was soon rewarded with a goal, with Fletcher racing through before coolly slotting the ball passed the hapless Davenies keeper.
Despite starting the 2nd half began 4-1 down, it was Sidcot who made the better start, with Oscar Byles and Theo Millar forming a strong defensive unit, Sidcot had the solid base they needed. With the game going end to end, Joe Hart bagged himself a brace, the first of his 2 goals coming after a stunning run covering ¾ of the pitch and ended with a powerful shot into the top corner. Although the game finished 7-3 in favour of Davenies, it was Sidcot who had the final word; Joe getting his 2nd after a wonderful cut back from Adam Waver.
Congratulations to all those involved. A special mention to Fletcher Hann, who was voted Players' Player of the Match, and Oscar Byles, who was nominated by Daveniesas their Player of the Match.
Rob Moore
PE Faculty
Boys' U13 Football v Davenies School, Saturday 30 January: Sidcot 1-4 Davenies
Facing a very strong opposition in Davenies, a touring school from London, Sidcot produced an outstanding performance. Despite going 1-0 early in the first half Sidcot played the better football, with the likes of Henry Hawkins, Toby Pratt, Storm Biles and Ignacio de la Torre producing loving crisp passing in the mid-field and captain Joss Grove calmly playing the ball out from centre back. Davenies scored again before half time which lead to Sidcot flying out the traps after half time and scoring a wonderful team goal, finished off by Ignacio de la Torre. Sidcot worked tirelessly in search of an equaliser but unfortunately conseeded two goals on the counter attack at the end.
Alex Smith
PE Faculty