Pupils deliver on the sports pitches

U11 & U10 Netball v Hallfield – Mrs Beech’s Teams

The clouds were low and the chill was setting in. But still, we couldn’t stop due to the weather, we had netball matches to play against Hallfield School.

Two great matches where our U11 and U10 s combined forces which gave the girls the opportunity to put into practice the skills they have been working on during the netball term – including driving into space, marking when defending and receiving on the move. I was very impressed with the girls ability to switch into attacking/defensive mindsets when turnovers occurred and due to the quick rotations. This was particularly evident in Ava I and Mary Ws game play. We lost Chloe T to an early injury and we missed her in our centre court play for the remaining rotations.

In the first match we saw a full court defensive effort from all the girls, especially from Pip K and Lyra H, which was pleasing to see them put this into practice and create turnovers. It was a very evenly matched fixture with both teams struggling to get the ball into the D due to strong defending from both schools.

That said, they fought every minute they were on court, winning back the ball at every opportunity.

The teamwork that was shown during the match was incredible and so was their enjoyment. Player of the match goes to Pip K, whose game play was brilliant throughout the match.

Our next match saw a complete team change. It was a tough but enjoyable fixture which saw the girls put into practice the skills they have been developing in training.

Our passing up the court was good but we must ensure we get in front of our defender to cut out interceptions in our next game.

Lots of excellent netball on show including pulling away from defenders in the centre third.

A steady and strong performance from the team this week against Hallfield saw Pippa P and Thea dominating the first half, keeping possession in their scoring third with some fantastic goals being made. The team worked fabulously together with Elizabeth and Iza who both held positions brilliantly in defence and reacted quickly to rebounds in the goal third.

All the team, after each rotation, listened to coaching and feedback and improved consistently. As the game progressed we saw further goals and opportunities to score with Ava H working the ball well into the goal third. Olivia was excellent as a centre court player reacting quickly to a defensive or attacking play.

The U10/11s thoroughly enjoyed playing and will continue to work together in club and lessons to really secure our knowledge of tactics and game play.

Player of the Match went to Thea, who produced some quality defending in the D.

U11 & U10 Netball v Hallfield – Miss Lake’s Teams

Miss Lake’s team enjoyed a positive match versus Hallfield’s C team. The girls started cautiously, growing into the game by the second half. From the off, Jess impressed Miss Lake with her understanding of the game, finding space when attacking and calling for the ball. It wasn’t until the third quarter when the King’s Hawford girls really began to dominate the game. A strong attacking trio in Chloe S as C and Ava W and Darcy as the shooting pair, used some quick, brilliantly played set pieces to get the ball from the centre circle into the D within three passes. Between them, Darcy and Ava scored five effortless goals. This increase in speed and focus continued into the final quarter, with Chloe and Lily finding space within the D to receive the ball, using the time allowed to take their shots, increasing Kings Hawford’s lead. The player of the match was awarded to our last-minute substitute, Darcy, who made some excellent interceptions, using her height and quick reactions to her advantage.

U8 Football Festival

On Tuesday afternoon the U8 boys played host to five visiting schools in a football festival on the top field. It was brilliant to see the boys test their skills and progress in matches with The Elms, RGS The Grange, Blue Coat, Winterfold and King’s St Albans. The boys played fantastically throughout the afternoon and were a constant threat through the dribbling and shooting skills of Thomas, Joshy and Bruce whilst Rupert, Isaac and Gabe were solid in defence. It was great to see the energy, positivity and enthusiasm of the entire team as well as the improved decision making when in possession that led to several impressive goals being scored.

U9 RGS Football Tournament

The boys put in a tremendous effort across four games in the afternoon. They started against Moor Park and could easily have won in a game that ended goalless but in which they had about 70% of the possession. They just needed to be a little more clinical in front of goal. They then met a strong Warwick side which tested our defensive resilience and overall resolve. Next the team played Claines Primary School who they had not met previously and despite some great attacking by both sides the game only ended in a 1-1 draw. In the final game honours were again shared with a strong and physical Winterfold side. It was great to see the boys play some fluid football with some especially nice play from Austin R, Arthur G and Johannes K.

U10 Football v Moor Park – Mr Marsland’s team

This week the U10 boys travelled to Moor Park to take part in a thrilling game of football. It was a very close game up until the last 5 minutes. King’s Hawford edged ahead in the dying minutes of the game scoring a further 3 goals.

The children moved the ball around the team well and starting to pass the ball into space for their team to run on to. They attacked well from corners which was an area he highlighted during Monday’s training session leading up to the game. Barnaby J played well in his new position and scored two brilliant goals. The whole team tug deep to keep hold of their unbeaten run this term.

U10 Football v Moor Park – Mr Stigant’s team

It’s not often that you score a hatrick in a game it’s even rarer scoring one playing for both teams. In a thrilling game that saw play transfer from end to end on a regular basis George C scored twice for our U10 side before volunteering to play for the opposition netting them the winning goal with the last kick of the game, picking up man of the match awards for both sides. All the boys played extremely well in what was an entertaining and fun filled afternoon of football.

U11 Football vs Moor Park

On Wednesday a group of year 6 boys made the long journey over to Moor Park and produced a highly impressive football performance. Despite the somewhat muddy conditions, the boys approached their task with super levels of energy and quality that resulted in them scoring several early goals through accomplished finishes from Will H, Archie and Luca. Further second half goals from Archie and Evan, along with some superb possession football rounded off a dominant performance.

U11 Warwick Rugby 7s

The U11 rugby team travelled to Warwick for their annual 7s festival. The Hawford boys stuck to their task brilliantly against some very strong opposition. They finished the day understanding far more about the game of 7s and the experience will stand them in good stead both for the Rosslyn Park National Sevens tournament at the end of term and the extensive sevens programme run by the Senior School.