“drawing 1-1 under floodlights in the driving rain at St. George’s College would be the grittiest performance I have witnessed yet”
Boys’ Hockey This season was a strange one for the boys with the Covid-19 disruption. This resulted in some of our regular block fixtures being cancelled which were replaced with some internal matches, playing the year group above and beneath them. I was more than pleasantly surprised in how well the fixtures were received by everyone and the attitude in which they were played. Whilst acknowledging that the standard of our hockey continues to progress, these internal matches gave some teams a much sterner test than they would have received against our usual opposition.
It was an exciting, if disappointingly short, season for the 1st XI. Led
very ably by captain Thomas Smith, there was a thrilling blend of Upper and Lower Sixth that many had been waiting to see finally have the opportunity to play together. There is no embarrassment in losing to good sides, and the mark of a good team is how they rise to the challenge; though disappointed in an early exit in the national cup at Eastbourne College, the difference was not in the quality of the teams but in an outstanding performance by their goalkeeper – nothing was going to beat him that day! To bounce back and follow that with good performances and excellent wins was testament to both the ability and work ethic of this team; that 28 players represented the 1st XI this season is perhaps a true
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The Churcherian 2020
1st XI
reflection of the strength in depth at this age group. There were highlights aplenty, but perhaps back-to-back wins against strong rivals Seaford College in the national cup and our block respectively, would be up there, although arguably drawing 1-1 under floodlights in the driving rain at St. George’s College would be the grittiest performance I have witnessed yet by a Churcher’s side.
2nd XI
The boys enjoyed a fantastic hockey term, under graduating captain Tom Wild. With a large and enthusiastic squad, and a full set of fixtures, the team performed excellently, employing a passing style of play with a focus on moving the ball forward quickly.
