1st XI Hockey
Having lost the nucleus of last season’s 1st XI team, in the large group of experienced Upper Sixth players who left the School, this season was always going to be about regrouping and developing for the future.With only three Upper Sixth regulars this year, the squad has been a very young one. Despite the lack of experience the record for the season remains impressive, with only our three strongest opponents managing to beat us in the domestic season.
The season got off to a good start with what is fast becoming our customary success in the Bill Buttle Tournament at King Edward’s School. Wins over KE Camp Hill and KE Aston and a 0-0 draw with KES saw us top our group, pitting us against Five Ways in the semi-final. They were duly dispatched 4-0, but hopes of an all-Solihull final were dashed when KES beat our 2nd XI in the other semi final. The final proved to be as close as our encounter in the group stage - although both sides managed to score this time – taking the match to penalty strokes and then sudden death. Football pundits on TV often refer to penalty shoot-outs as a ‘lottery’ and an unsatisfactory way to decide a competition. I couldn’t disagree more. We won 5-4, incidentally.
Following the Bill Buttle victory, we embarked upon a run of five consecutive victories (including a 7-3 trouncing of the Old Boys and a comprehensive 7-1 win over Bishop Vesey’s) before our only draw of the season; a 3-3 draw with Repton, in which Mallory Percival scored a hat-trick. In the run up to Christmas, we won four of our six remaining games - against King Edward’s, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stowe and Loughborough - losing the other two to Bromsgrove (0-6) and Magdalen College School (2-3).
The second half of the season saw victories over Bloxham, Warwick and the South African side CBC Boksburg, whom we hosted, as well as two very contrasting defeats. The 160-mile round trip to Worksop, saw us put on possibly our worst performance of the season, leading to an embarrassing 1-9 defeat by a Worksop side who would have easily beaten us on the day, even without their very useful England under 21 central midfielder. The clinical finishing of their forwards highlighted the lack of a cutting edge that had troubled us for much of the season.
Conversely the 2-7 defeat in the second fixture at Bromsgrove was one of our most pleasing displays. Whilst we were clearly outclassed by the mighty Bromsgrove and their clutch of German imports, the side stuck diligently to the game-plan and defended with great commitment.Though our chances were few and far between, we still caused them some problems and, in my only-slightly-biased opinion, scored the two best worked goals of the match.
Looking back on the season, the progress made has been good. The team really bonded during the season and team spirit was very high. Along with the irreplaceable Tom Jarratt, Tom Harrison, Tim Hill, Matt Hull and Paul Yarnell, all Upper Fifth youngsters, formed a very tight defensive unit. Behind them Stuart Gregory, demonstrated great progress, kept goal reliably (and vocally!). The midfield, including Jamie Glynn, Dan Strang and George Smeaton, centred on our most consistent and reliable player, Will Shipley, who was inspirational all season. Goals have not been lacking(although if we had been more efficient with our chances we’d have scored twice as many) and forwards Stuart Wallwork, Mallory Percival and Titus Singh – a great prospect for the future – have all netted their fair share. There are areas to work upon next season but the greater strength and experience that come with age will help in many respects. Despite the youth and inexperience in the side they have shown that they are able to cut it with the big boys. Hopefully, next season we’ll be the biggest boys…
Special mentions must go, in particular, to; captain Jamie Glynn, whom I thank for his hard work and help this year; Stuart Wallwork and Tom Jarratt, our other two Upper Sixth leavers who will be missed next season (we will struggle to find a goal line clearance specialist as accomplished as Tom!); and vice-captain Will Shipley, who will lead the squad next year.
Mr M P Babb