Hockey success ensures pupils finish the week on a sporting high

U10 Hockey at RGS The Grange Festival

Once it was apparent that the biblical rain was not going to wash out the games, our U10 girls’ tournament team headed up to RGS The Grange for an afternoon of hockey.

Our team faced tough opposition from the likes of Bromsgrove, Dean Close, Moor Park and Monmouth. Despite the challenges, we went into all four of our games with a positive attitude and the will to learn and improve our hockey. It is fair to say that we played our best hockey against Moor Park School, and, on a couple of occasions, found ourselves dominating the attacking circle.

With one draw and three wins, we progressed as group winners and found ourselves pitted against RGS The Grange in the semi-final. From the first push back, with only three players connecting with the ball, we scored a very quick goal, setting the pace of the game early on.

Then the rain started, again. The girls worked tirelessly, and King’s Hawford set up some nice attacks on the counter, subsequently scoring another two goals. Our defence was strong and held off many attempts on goal, with our ‘keeper clearing the ball far and wide. With a win in the semi-final, we progressed to the final.

Here we faced Bromsgrove, a team we had played in our group match and drawn against. With the rain beating down hard and families soaked through but still supporting enthusiastically from the side-lines, we played what turned out to be our best game of hockey to date! King’s Hawford were encouraged by an early first goal and kept the pressure on, with all our attacking girls once again showing reverse shot skills to take the ball into the D. The game was very open by this point, with plenty of entertainment for the spectators. The girls worked incredibly hard and kept pushing until the final whistle, as a win for King’s Hawford saw the girls crowned U10 Tournament winners. Every member of the team worked incredibly hard and should be very proud of their performance over the afternoon.

We would like to say a massive thank you to our supporters and the girls who played for and represented King’s Hawford with such enthusiasm. It was fantastic to see the girls achieve their first competitive tournament win of the season in what turned out to be a very successful afternoon of hockey.

Mrs Beech added, “As a Games teacher, this was one of my proudest moments to date from my time at King’s Hawford and I award everyone “Player of the Tournament”: Millie B, Marnie P, Pip P, Iza MP, Pip K, Chloe S, Mary W, Lyra H, Elizabeth N, and Olivia G!

U10 RGS The Grange Tournament – Pupil Reports

“As the rain became heavier and heavier, we just played better and better. They were hard matches, but we didn’t give up. Then we got into the semi-final against RGS The Grange; it was tough but we won and were through to the final. Guess what? We won!

“I couldn’t believe it. We beat Bromsgrove! It was so exciting for all of us; I think the best goal was when we were near the post and as soon as Olivia G got the ball it was a one shot into goal! She had only just come on the pitch and it was her first touch of the ball. The tournament was amazing!”

Marnie P (Capt)

“It was a cold, wet afternoon when 11 teams met at the RGS The Grange. We were drawn in Group Two with Bromsgrove School, Dean Close, Moor Park and Monmouth. We started slowly and could not get on the scoresheet against Bromsgrove. Fortunately, they did not manage to find the goal either, and the game ended in a draw. Mrs Beech brought the squad together and encouraged us to play our best. We then kicked into gear, winning our next three group games and scoring eight goals, as well as keeping clean sheets in all of them, to finish at the top of our group and qualify for the knockout stage.

“In the semi-final, we met RGS The Grange. We started well and took a two-nil lead before some tired legs meant that RGS managed to get behind the defence and pull one back. Despite some nervy moments, and thanks to some great goalkeeping from Mary W, we managed to hold on and earned our place in the final, which was to be a repeat of our first match of the tournament. Despite some very tired legs, this time we cruised to a three-nil victory. It was an amazing effort from the whole squad: well done everyone.”

Pip K (Vice-Capt)

U10 B Team vs Hallfield School – by Thea E

The team for Hawford against Hallfield was Thea E, Chloe T, Jess K, Sophie W, Olivia W and Chloe P and Ava W, and although we played away in very rainy conditions, the girls worked really hard and did not give up. As ‘keeper, Ava W made some really great saves, and the team made lots of attacks on the opposition goal. Olivia W scored an amazing goal, which was the winning one for the match. It was really impressive seeing Sophie making some strong passes down the wing, helping Hawford defeat Hallfield.

The opposition chose Thea E as Player of the Match.

U11 B Team vs Hallfield School

The U11 girls travelled away to Hallfield and, after a slow start and a few minutes to warm up in the game, the girls remembered some of the tactics we have been working on this season and started to produce some good passing play. A good clearance from defence gave the team the opportunity to reach the opposition area and Sofia E produced a beautiful strike on goal, scoring in the corner. It was a very close and competitive game.

U10 Rugby Mini Rugby Tournament at Warwick Prep School

Two U10 teams travelled across to Warwick Prep School this week for a mini rugby tournament against Warwick, Bablake and Akeley Wood. Unlike last year, the weather was on our side, which led to a true festival of rugby in great conditions.

Mr Stigant’s Team first played the hosts in a highly competitive game which saw a lot of free-flowing rugby, interrupted occasionally by some strong tackling. They then went on to play Akeley Wood, who had some strong individual players but were unable to match the teamwork and powerful running of the Hawford side. The final game against Bablake, the last of this half term, saw the side put into action all that that they have trained for this season, with a strong press defence and some great interplay in attack.