Sports Reports
Week Ending 9 December
U12 Hockey v Stonar School, Saturday 3 December: Sidcot 0 – 4 Stonar
A nervous but enthusiastic group of girls greeted me for this, their first (for some ever), hockey fixture.
Stonar proved strong adversary and the opening minutes saw the Sidcot defence – Jess Brown, Lily Adam, Vicki Lawrence (GK) and Sophie Lee under intense pressure and a couple of early goals were scored while the girls were still trying to settle!
Our play began to become more assured and determined and it was pleasing to note the resilience and increasing determination of our girls. Stonar manged to score a further goal in the first quarter – but their job was becoming increasingly more difficult!
The second quarter saw Sidcot maintaining better shape and linking more coherently between defence and attack – Sophie Lee was instrumental in this. Our flanking players began to gain more possession allowing for more attack. Several goal scoring chances were created – though none converted. Stoner scored one further goal.
The second half saw further vast improvements and the girls really began to play with greater confidence and drive. The game was now very evenly contested and our girls should be very pleased with this turnaround. They certainly demonstrated that there is lots of potential for further success in future performances. The flow of Stonar goals was halted and chances were created by our attack.
Well done to all.
Player of the match: Sophie Lee
Rosie Bellinger
PE Faculty
U13 Hockey v Stonar School, Saturday 3 December: Sidcot 0 – 6 Stonar
The U13 hockey team experienced their first Saturday fixture at home in cool conditions. The girls were keen and enthusiastic to play and warmed up in a very positive way. With only the bare seven playing the girls new it was going to be a tough encounter.
It turned out to be a game of two halves. In the first half the girls tried hard to thwart the more polished attack of Stonar. They took a little while to adjust to the speed with which the Stonar girls made and delivered their passes. Stonar scored several goals early on then Sofia and Skye settled and became more solid in defence, and Izzy had one or two great direct saves. Sadly just before half time Stonar had a purple patch and increased their lead with some fast paced strikes on goal including a penalty corner. Lottie took a direct hit on the foot at one of these corners which made her a little more cautious on following attempts.
In the second half the girls were focused and very determined. They created many possibilities, with Lily and Lottie working hard in the midfield to gain possession. Once they had possession they utilized their advantage and quickly fed the ball through to the forwards of Ana and Erin. Ana managed to roll away from the defence on several occasions and had several great shots at goal. Unfortunately the girls were faced with an extremely active and fast goal keeper and could not outwit her. On several occasions Ana tried using Erin near the post to create new angles to beat the goalie but sadly they were not successful.
The score does not really reflect the game as Sidcot had most of the possession in the second half but could not convert this advantage into goals. The girls never gave up and worked tirelessly until the final whistle always believing that they could score. It was a great first game of hockey and we are sure with more practice and matches next term they will be more successful.
Player of the match : Ana de la Torre
Mary Dowds
PE Faculty
Combined Age Girls Hockey V Stonar School. Saturday 3rd December: Sidcot 1 – 2 Stonar
A cold fresh morning greeted us for this fixture against Stonar – and a good vigorous warm up was certainly required!
We again fielded a side that was a mix of three year groups and Frida Cardale and Sofia Peon proved super role models in how to approach 11-a-side hockey – something still quite new for our U4 girls.
The game started brightly, Stonar, perhaps, initially the stronger, ensuring that our defensive quadro of Bethan Rees, Indeigh Winterson, Jasmine Bell and Frida Cardale were called upon to mark closely and work hard. Deep into the first quarter Stonar converted well, sadly leaving ‘keeper Frankie Harrill with no chance of a save.
The second quarter saw Sidcot force themselves more into the game, some good tackling and better ball distribution allowed our girls to attack far more – often straight down the centre, a somewhat unusual route! On the counter, Stonar managed a second which was a little disappointing as the girls had worked really hard to create some chances of our own.
The second half was certainly our best section of the game, far more cohesive which allowed more attacking to be successful. On a break through from defence, a delightful ball was slotted through for Maisy Hann to run onto. She drove forward, kept her composure superbly to slot home neatly to the right of the Stonar ‘keeper – a well-deserved team goal and reward for the effort and endeavour so fully inputted to the match.
Well done to all.
Player of the match: Sofia Peon
Rosie Bellinger
PE Faculty
Sidcot sign-off in style! U15 Rugby v King's College Taunton, Saturday 3 December
The Under 15s signed off their season with a convincing victory over Kings College Taunton. The game kicked off in near perfect conditions – the ground was firm and there was nothing but a gentle cool breeze in the air. The ‘spritely’ looking referee gave a purposeful blast on his whistle and we were off.
Louie Parker Mills masterfully gathered the kick-off and rumbled forward to gain good ground, breaking several tackles as he went. The forwards delivered quick clean ball from the resulting ruck and Lennon Coles was able to wriggle free from the Taunton defenders before sprinting three quarters of the pitch to open the scoring. The Sidcot pack grew in confidence as the game went on with Charlie Durham, Victor and Bertie in imperious form. Freddie Livesey and Matt Fisher were ruthless at the breakdown ensuring that solid ball was delivered to Billy Lindsay who was orchestrating matters out in the backs.
When Neil crossed for the first of his three tries the flood gates were well and truly opened. Jamie Miles enjoyed a successful secondment into the centres with Jonah, David and Spencer enjoying plenty of ball out wide.
By half time Sidcot had scored 50 unanswered points with lots of lads scoring lots of tries. Many were converted by Billy. The sides were adjusted to make more of a contest but Sidcot continued their dominance despite playing 15 against 11 players at one point. Neil was rightly awarded player of the match and the Sidcotians enjoyed their celebration tea with enormous smiles. Meanwhile, the Taunton coach was stuck in the Winscombe car park which probably summed up their day.
Mick Lindsay
Sidcot Parent