Determination, Teamwork, and Sporting Excellence!

Monday 6th October U11/10 Cross Country at Winterfold 

On Monday afternoon we travelled to Winterfold for our first cross country event of the year. The sun was shining, which made for lovely conditions for the spectators, although it added an extra challenge for the runners in the heat. All of our runners did fantastically well, giving their all and showing great determination throughout their races. 

Representing the girls were Romi, Nell, Thea, Elizabeth and Hannah. They were understandably nervous before the start, but I simply asked them to do their best and work their hardest, and they certainly did just that. A huge congratulations to Nell, who stormed to victory, winning by an impressive margin. Thea also ran superbly, finishing third overall, which was an outstanding achievement, especially with twelve schools each entering their top five runners. It was an excellent effort from all the girls. 

The boys also put in a brilliant team performance, with Max, Adam, Bertie, Harvey and Dylan representing the school. Each one gave one hundred percent effort, showing grit and determination from start to finish. Bertie, Dylan and Harvey took on the extra challenge of racing a year up in the under elevens and did so admirably. A special mention goes to Dylan, who powered home to finish eighth overall, which was a fantastic result. 

Overall, it was a superb afternoon of racing and a brilliant start to the cross country season. Well done to all of our runners, you made the school proud. 

 

Tuesday 7th October U8 Rugby Festival at King’s Hawford 

On Tuesday, our U8s squad travelled to Kings Hawford to take part in a fantastic rugby festival, joining teams from The Grange, Kings Hawford, and Winterfold. It was a brilliant afternoon of rugby, full of enthusiasm, teamwork, and plenty of smiles. 

Our players showed great determination in every game, working hard in defence and showing great support to the ball carrier to create passing options in attack. There were some excellent individual runs, strong tagging, and a real sense of teamwork throughout. It was clear to see how the lads have developed their understanding of the game and the need to support the ball carrier when playing. 

There were also some standout performances across the team, Wilf showed great footwork throughout, Theo had a good sense of when to drive the team forward in attack, and Ivan was excellent at finding gaps in the opposition’s defence. Most importantly, the team played with great spirit and sportsmanship, representing the school superbly both on and off the pitch. 

Well done to all our U8s on another brilliant afternoon of rugby! 

 

U9/8 Hockey Festival at Winterfold

What a brilliant day of hockey from our U8/9 girls! Every player gave 100% effort, showing great teamwork, energy, and determination throughout the festival. A special mention to Hibah, who was superb up front, scoring some fantastic goals and always being ready for the rebound. Alice worked tirelessly in midfield, running non-stop and making key tackles to keep the pressure on. In defence, Luna, Lakshmi, and Nell were rock solid!! Protecting the goal brilliantly and clearing the ball with confidence. 

It was a fantastic team effort from start to finish, and the girls should be really proud of how they played. Well done, everyone!! 

 

U9/8 Hockey Festival at Winterfold

The U9 Girls Hockey Festival held at Winterfold was a fantastic day full of energy, teamwork, and smiles as our team took to the pitch with enthusiasm and determination. From the first whistle, the girls gave it their all, showing great effort in both attack and defence, with standout moments including some brilliant goals, brave saves, and excellent passing. Each player supported one another, showing true team spirit and sportsmanship throughout the day, whether cheering from the sidelines or helping out on the field. It was wonderful to see the girls trying different positions, learning as they played, and growing in confidence with every game. Special mentions go to Tiegan W who attacked every ball with 100% determination and ended the day as top scorer and Olivia E who completed some brilliant drives towards goal but also showed some strong defence when tackling. Maren U also put on a show from the back making some amazing tackles to keep her team in the game and showed great conversion linking up nicely with Molly P and Leen I who took the ball confidently towards goal. Overall, it was a great afternoon for KSA hockey and the girls should be very pleased with themselves. 

Wednesday 8th October U11 Rugby v Winterfold 

The Year 6 boys made the short trip up to King’s Hawford on Wednesday afternoon to represent the school in A and B team fixtures against Winterfold. With Winterfold fielding fewer players, the boys approached the matches as an opportunity to play with creativity, freedom, and a real emphasis on teamwork. 

From the very first whistle, the U11 A team looked intent on keeping the ball alive, producing a series of excellent offloads and linking play that culminated in a superbly worked team try. More tries followed, showcasing the boys’ attacking flair and understanding of the game. When an injury reduced the Winterfold side’s numbers, several King’s players kindly volunteered to play for the opposition – a fine display of sportsmanship and character. 

The match continued in great spirit, with standout performances and further tries from Adam and Hugo. The focus throughout was on teamwork and applying the skills the boys have been developing in Games lessons and rugby club, including pressing up as a unit in defence. Every player showed commendable effort, commitment, and passion. Special mention goes to Adam, Hugo, Max, and Zack for another impressive all-round performance. 

The U11 B team also impressed, demonstrating determination, teamwork, and enthusiasm throughout their match. Mr Hodgkins from King’s Hawford reported that both Pip and Joshua played particularly well and continue to make excellent progress. 

These fixtures provide a wonderful opportunity for the boys from Hawford and St Alban’s to join forces and develop together – experiences that will undoubtedly benefit them in the long run. Congratulations to all of the Year 6 boys for representing King’s St Alban’s so proudly, and sincere thanks to the parents who came along to support and cheer from the sidelines. 

U10 Rugby v Winterfold

On Wednesday afternoon, our U10 rugby team travelled to Winterfold to play in a triangular fixture against Hawford and Winterfold. Coming off the back of last week’s matches against Hereford Cathedral, the boys had a few key focuses for this week’s games. Their excellent effort and commitment during rugby club training really showed, and we were so impressed with how well they prepared for these fixtures. 

The first game was against Hawford, and the boys immediately showed great improvement, playing with much better shape and structure. Their attacking play was sharp and full of confidence. Dylan once again used his speed and agility brilliantly to power through gaps and create opportunities for his teammates. Matthew and Haadi made some fantastic tackles, showing real courage and determination in defence. Max C was strong in the ruck, protecting the ball and helping the team maintain possession. Theo continues to make great progress, using his speed and quick feet effectively with ball in hand. It was a great performance and an excellent start to the afternoon. 

The second match saw the boys take on a strong Winterfold side. Monty once again led the team superbly and was deservedly named Player of the Day for his outstanding contribution across both games. Despite being on the receiving end of two big high tackles, Monty showed tremendous resilience and character, responding in the best possible way by tackling even harder and running with real determination. 

These were two very impressive performances, and the best rugby the boys have played all term. Their teamwork, attitude and effort were exceptional and have set them up perfectly for their final fixtures of the half term against Moor Park next week. Well done, boys! 

 

U10 Rugby v Winterfold 

On Tuesday, the U10B team travelled to Winterfold for a well-contested and enjoyable game of rugby. From the first whistle, the lads showed great teamwork and energy, working hard for one another across the pitch. 

Defensively, the team were very well connected, communicating effectively and not allowing much to get through. Their strong organisation and commitment in the tackle made it difficult for Winterfold to gain any real momentum. Max was particularly good at organising the team in both their defensive line and attacking shape, ensuring everyone stayed focused and in position. 

In attack, the boys were equally impressive, showing confidence with the ball and maintaining constant pressure on the opposition. Harvey produced some excellent runs which resulted in well-deserved tries, while Jack carried the ball forward superbly, helping the team gain ground and get into dangerous areas. Bertie also stood out with his determination in defence, putting in some strong tackles and leading by example. 

Overall, it was a brilliant all-round team performance, full of effort, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The boys should be very proud of their display and the progress they continue to make. 

 

U11 Hockey v Monmouth

The U11A girls’ hockey team put in a brilliant performance against Haberdashers Monmouth. From the first whistle, the girls started strongly, making confident runs towards the D and using excellent passing to work around the Monmouth defence. Their attacking play was rewarded with a comfortable 4–0 lead at half-time. 

After the break, the team maintained their high intensity, finding great leads into the D and adding three more well-worked goals. Goals were shared between Nell, Romi, Thea and Hannah, showing the strength and depth of the attack. Millie, Elizabeth and Kasvi were rock-solid at the back, calmly dealing with any pressure that came their way, while Cerys made strong contributions up front to keep the momentum going. 

Although Martha had a quiet game, she remained focused and dealt well with any shots or balls entering the D. This convincing 7–0 win was the perfect preparation for IAPS on Friday, and the team can head into the tournament full of confidence after such a strong all-round performance. 

U11/U10 B Hockey v Monnouth 

The U11/U10B hockey team delivered a brilliant performance in their fixture against Monmouth Haberdashers, coming away with a confident 4–1 win. From the start they played with great energy, gaining two early goals. 

Lillianna and Sophie were a constant threat in attack, making some superb runs through the middle. Their pace and control were excellent, making strong tackles to get through their opposition. We will work on trying to avoid the opposition in the first place. 

Defensively, Maddie was solid, making several key interceptions and pushing the ball up high. Savannah was outstanding in goal, moving well to avoid the foal hitting the back of the net. 

Well done to Lillianna, who was named Player of the Match. Well done to all the girls on a fantastic performance! 

U10 Hockey v Monmouth 

 

The hills were alive with the sound of music on Wednesday as the KSA U10 hockey teams headed to Monmouth School. The journey was long but lively, with plenty of singing. The team arrived to find a beautiful autumnal setting. The match was marked by strong teamwork, with players showing great effort and developing skills. Both teams demonstrated good sportsmanship, making it an enjoyable game to watch. 

Savannah made a series of superb saves to keep the score level, while Poppy was composed and confident in defence. Aria was awarded the Opposition’s Player of the Match. She worked tirelessly throughout — driving the attack and then tracking back to help in defence.  

It was a very enjoyable afternoon and the girls should be proud of the effort they put into their hockey (and singing).