Sports Report - Christmas 2019
Click through to read all about Wrekin's sport in the Christmas term of 2019.
| 11 Feb 2020 | |
| General |
1st XV Rugby
This has been an up and down season for the 1st XV this year. The season started well with an outstanding win against Shrewsbury School. As the season progressed we had tough fixtures against Hereford Cathedral, Adams Grammar and Shrewsbury Colleges.
During half term, the seniors were lucky enough to go on tour to Toulon, whilst on tour we played two, won one and lost one. This was a fantastic tour that gelled all the team together.
After half term we have had a good run of fixtures. The 1st XV travelled to St Joseph’s Newcastle not a happy hunting ground in the past. The boys played very well and won convincingly. Denstone College were too strong for us and we lost 35-15. The boys bounced back beating Oswestry School 19-0.
We finished the season playing against Shrewsbury School away. This was a tough fixture, especially with Nick Street being on the concussion list. We rallied together and were 12-0 up in the first ten minutes, however, the boys ran out of steam losing 24-17.
Overall this has been a mixed season with plenty of positives and plenty of areas that need to be improved on.
Nick Street has led the team very well over the past two years, he has been instrumental in every game that he has played and has shown a real determination to improve not only himself but the team as well. Tom Craddock, this year’s vice-captain has also led from the front. He has taken the responsibility to be an enforcer on the pitch and has never taken a backward step. Luc Barratt has made pivotal kicks at the right time and has always been a strong leader on and off the pitch.
Under 16
The Under 16’s have had a mixed season with plenty of ups and downs. They started the season well by beating KES Birmingham 37-29. This gave them a lot of confidence leading into the cup where they came out worthy winners at 37-28. There run of good form came to an end when they lost to Lacon Childe School on the last kick of the game. An excellent game to watch for the neutral.
Before half term, the Under 16’s had an outstanding 28-23 win over local rival Ellesmere College. This was a fine team performance in a game that every pupil stepped up. After the win against Ellesmere KES Birmingham travelled to Wrekin and the boys put in another solid shift winning 42-12. Their cup run came to an end the following week losing out to KES Sollihul 26-24.
As the season progressed there we are number of boys that were called up to represent the 1st XV. Oliver Stott, Miles Walters, Rueben Crombie, Luke Kelsey and Henry James all contributed to the 1st XV season and I hope that this team kicks on again next year.
Under 14
U14 Rugby have had three wins in their games this year. Wins v Abraham Darby, Charlton School, Denstone College and KES Aston with solid performances from all the pupils. There have been seven pupils that have represented the Worcester DPP Programme and this bodes well for rugby at the College. The boys have worked hard in training sessions, which will hopefully provide a platform for future progress
Hockey
The Girls' Hockey 1st X1 have had an excellent term winning 11 of their 12 fixtures school fixtures. They also reached the final of the Wrekin Sevens losing narrowly 1 - 0 in the final to Ellesmere College. Well led by Rosie Brown and Maia Lloyd (co-captains) they have demonstrated a high level of skill and recorded some noticeable victories, particularly against Moreton Hall and Shrewsbury School. Hebe Dixon has also performed very well in all matches.
The U16s have also played extremely well, with many of the squad playing in the 1st X1, which has meant they had fewer school fixtures. However, they did qualify for the Regional Tier 3 finals, again, by finishing runners up to Moreton Hall in the County competition. Unfortunately, in the Regional round; although they won their group and were a few seconds from winning their quarter final; a late goal from Moreton Hall led to a penalty stroke competition, which they lost by one goal, and therefore elimination from the competition.
Miller Furnival was excellent in goal for the U16s and 1st X1, with Megan and Kate Pennell, Jess Maddox and Jess Hood also playing extremely well throughout the term.
Junior Hockey at Wrekin continues to develop and thrive with many Girls representing Club, County and Midlands outside of School.
U13s - Now in their second year, both the U13 A and B squads have shown considerable improvement which has been highlighted in the number of positive results against the likes of Birchfield School and Denstone College.
U14s - The U14 squad have had great success competing in the Shropshire County League against some of the best hockey schools and clubs in the County, so far going the season undefeated. They came 3rd in the Shropshire Schools County Cup held at Shrewsbury School in October (without actually losing a game in normal time!) but this meant they would now qualify for the U14 Regional Finals held in Leicestershire in November. They then went on to qualify for the Investec National Schools Midlands Zone Tier 2 Finals after beating Nottingham Girls High School at Regionals. In the Midlands Tier 2 Finals held at Rugby School, the U14s defeated Lichfield Cathedral and Ratcliffe College to qualify for the Investec Schools National Finals to be played next year. Thats two national finals for Wrekin hockey in as many years. Saffron Pemberton-Jandu and Abigail Pritchard have both been selected in the Shropshire County U15 squad for 2019/20 whilst Candela Sau Roman will have trials with the Spanish National U21 side when she returns to Spain at the end of the term.
U15s - The U15s have really progressed this season as a squad with notable wins against Ellesmere College and Lucton School U16s. Both Jessica Hood and Kirstie Shiner have had County honours for Shropshire and Staffordshire respectively.
Football
First Term Review
With only two defeats so far this season coming in the First XI trials and our last match away at S. Peter's on astroturf against a very well conditioned side, Wrekin's First XI football team have done the school proud in 2019.
At our mid-season interval, consistently notable performances come from top scorer Luke Thornton, midfielder beyond his years Luke Dean, some fantastic goalkeeping (and of course throws!) from Adam Lloyd, Ilia Pankov tirelessly leading the line in attack with further added flair from Adam Smith, Oliver Butters-Peers and occasionally Freddie Hudson pinging long passes from the back.
Goal of the season so far has come from Tom Butler with a screaming drive from all of thirty yards and special mention must go to Ross Corbett, Ethan Jones, Jonty Mike and Jasper Tranter who have given their all for the team.
Any team would be nothing without good leadership and in Jamie Scott and Josh Simpson we have everything we could wish for in our co-captains, with their own methods, personalities, passion and direction, both on and off the pitch, giving us what we need to move forwards, in times of triumph and being tested.
We can only hope that in future years we are to be once again blessed with characters of their calibre, but for now look towards making more memories in 2020 - can anyone catch Luke Thornton’s goal tally or improve upon Tom Butler’s emphatic strike? We will see.
Badminton
The Badminton squad have excelled themselves this season, repeatedly performing at the highest level against some very tough opposition. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly our home fixture against Lucton College, where the team achieved a clean sweep, winning all 16 of their rubbers. Will Bradshaw and Akhil Srinivasan demonstrated great resilience and determination in this fixture, winning a closely fought match against some exceptionally strong opponents, eventually winning a deciding set by the smallest of margins. The finesse and technical prowess of our female players has also been particularly impressive this season, with Marsha Laksono, Megan Leak and Amy Phillips all securing some very hard-fought victories. The sportsmanship of our players has been perhaps the most memorable aspect of this season. Their ability to meet both victory and defeat with such good grace has been a real credit to the school.
Fencing
Fencers continue to receive individual lessons on Monday evenings after school (5.15 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.) both at foil and sabre. More experienced fencers train with Wrekin Sword on Tuesday evenings (8.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.) at all three weapons (foil, epee and sabre).
All fencers both experienced and new starters meet again on Saturday mornings (10.15 a.m. - 11.45 a.m.) for group and individual tuition.
Throughout the term fencers will attend both club and regional competitions.
Swimming
All our swimmers have been busy competing at several competitions in preparation for January Shropshire County Championships.
Oliver Greaves was selected to attend three regional development camps after his success at the West Midland Champs earlier in the year.
Three school records were broken at the Lancaster House competition-Oliver Greaves 100IM/Ben Smith 25Breaststroke and Clun in the Boys 4x25 Medley relay.
This has been an up and down season for the 1st XV this year. The season started well with an outstanding win against Shrewsbury School. As the season progressed we had tough fixtures against Hereford Cathedral, Adams Grammar and Shrewsbury Colleges.
During half term, the seniors were lucky enough to go on tour to Toulon, whilst on tour we played two, won one and lost one. This was a fantastic tour that gelled all the team together.
After half term we have had a good run of fixtures. The 1st XV travelled to St Joseph’s Newcastle not a happy hunting ground in the past. The boys played very well and won convincingly. Denstone College were too strong for us and we lost 35-15. The boys bounced back beating Oswestry School 19-0.
We finished the season playing against Shrewsbury School away. This was a tough fixture, especially with Nick Street being on the concussion list. We rallied together and were 12-0 up in the first ten minutes, however, the boys ran out of steam losing 24-17.
Overall this has been a mixed season with plenty of positives and plenty of areas that need to be improved on.
Nick Street has led the team very well over the past two years, he has been instrumental in every game that he has played and has shown a real determination to improve not only himself but the team as well. Tom Craddock, this year’s vice-captain has also led from the front. He has taken the responsibility to be an enforcer on the pitch and has never taken a backward step. Luc Barratt has made pivotal kicks at the right time and has always been a strong leader on and off the pitch.
Under 16
The Under 16’s have had a mixed season with plenty of ups and downs. They started the season well by beating KES Birmingham 37-29. This gave them a lot of confidence leading into the cup where they came out worthy winners at 37-28. There run of good form came to an end when they lost to Lacon Childe School on the last kick of the game. An excellent game to watch for the neutral.
Before half term, the Under 16’s had an outstanding 28-23 win over local rival Ellesmere College. This was a fine team performance in a game that every pupil stepped up. After the win against Ellesmere KES Birmingham travelled to Wrekin and the boys put in another solid shift winning 42-12. Their cup run came to an end the following week losing out to KES Sollihul 26-24.
As the season progressed there we are number of boys that were called up to represent the 1st XV. Oliver Stott, Miles Walters, Rueben Crombie, Luke Kelsey and Henry James all contributed to the 1st XV season and I hope that this team kicks on again next year.
Under 14
U14 Rugby have had three wins in their games this year. Wins v Abraham Darby, Charlton School, Denstone College and KES Aston with solid performances from all the pupils. There have been seven pupils that have represented the Worcester DPP Programme and this bodes well for rugby at the College. The boys have worked hard in training sessions, which will hopefully provide a platform for future progress
Hockey
The Girls' Hockey 1st X1 have had an excellent term winning 11 of their 12 fixtures school fixtures. They also reached the final of the Wrekin Sevens losing narrowly 1 - 0 in the final to Ellesmere College. Well led by Rosie Brown and Maia Lloyd (co-captains) they have demonstrated a high level of skill and recorded some noticeable victories, particularly against Moreton Hall and Shrewsbury School. Hebe Dixon has also performed very well in all matches.
The U16s have also played extremely well, with many of the squad playing in the 1st X1, which has meant they had fewer school fixtures. However, they did qualify for the Regional Tier 3 finals, again, by finishing runners up to Moreton Hall in the County competition. Unfortunately, in the Regional round; although they won their group and were a few seconds from winning their quarter final; a late goal from Moreton Hall led to a penalty stroke competition, which they lost by one goal, and therefore elimination from the competition.
Miller Furnival was excellent in goal for the U16s and 1st X1, with Megan and Kate Pennell, Jess Maddox and Jess Hood also playing extremely well throughout the term.
Junior Hockey at Wrekin continues to develop and thrive with many Girls representing Club, County and Midlands outside of School.
U13s - Now in their second year, both the U13 A and B squads have shown considerable improvement which has been highlighted in the number of positive results against the likes of Birchfield School and Denstone College.
U14s - The U14 squad have had great success competing in the Shropshire County League against some of the best hockey schools and clubs in the County, so far going the season undefeated. They came 3rd in the Shropshire Schools County Cup held at Shrewsbury School in October (without actually losing a game in normal time!) but this meant they would now qualify for the U14 Regional Finals held in Leicestershire in November. They then went on to qualify for the Investec National Schools Midlands Zone Tier 2 Finals after beating Nottingham Girls High School at Regionals. In the Midlands Tier 2 Finals held at Rugby School, the U14s defeated Lichfield Cathedral and Ratcliffe College to qualify for the Investec Schools National Finals to be played next year. Thats two national finals for Wrekin hockey in as many years. Saffron Pemberton-Jandu and Abigail Pritchard have both been selected in the Shropshire County U15 squad for 2019/20 whilst Candela Sau Roman will have trials with the Spanish National U21 side when she returns to Spain at the end of the term.
U15s - The U15s have really progressed this season as a squad with notable wins against Ellesmere College and Lucton School U16s. Both Jessica Hood and Kirstie Shiner have had County honours for Shropshire and Staffordshire respectively.
Football
First Term Review
With only two defeats so far this season coming in the First XI trials and our last match away at S. Peter's on astroturf against a very well conditioned side, Wrekin's First XI football team have done the school proud in 2019.
At our mid-season interval, consistently notable performances come from top scorer Luke Thornton, midfielder beyond his years Luke Dean, some fantastic goalkeeping (and of course throws!) from Adam Lloyd, Ilia Pankov tirelessly leading the line in attack with further added flair from Adam Smith, Oliver Butters-Peers and occasionally Freddie Hudson pinging long passes from the back.
Goal of the season so far has come from Tom Butler with a screaming drive from all of thirty yards and special mention must go to Ross Corbett, Ethan Jones, Jonty Mike and Jasper Tranter who have given their all for the team.
Any team would be nothing without good leadership and in Jamie Scott and Josh Simpson we have everything we could wish for in our co-captains, with their own methods, personalities, passion and direction, both on and off the pitch, giving us what we need to move forwards, in times of triumph and being tested.
We can only hope that in future years we are to be once again blessed with characters of their calibre, but for now look towards making more memories in 2020 - can anyone catch Luke Thornton’s goal tally or improve upon Tom Butler’s emphatic strike? We will see.
Badminton
The Badminton squad have excelled themselves this season, repeatedly performing at the highest level against some very tough opposition. The highlight of the season was undoubtedly our home fixture against Lucton College, where the team achieved a clean sweep, winning all 16 of their rubbers. Will Bradshaw and Akhil Srinivasan demonstrated great resilience and determination in this fixture, winning a closely fought match against some exceptionally strong opponents, eventually winning a deciding set by the smallest of margins. The finesse and technical prowess of our female players has also been particularly impressive this season, with Marsha Laksono, Megan Leak and Amy Phillips all securing some very hard-fought victories. The sportsmanship of our players has been perhaps the most memorable aspect of this season. Their ability to meet both victory and defeat with such good grace has been a real credit to the school.
Fencing
Fencers continue to receive individual lessons on Monday evenings after school (5.15 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.) both at foil and sabre. More experienced fencers train with Wrekin Sword on Tuesday evenings (8.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.) at all three weapons (foil, epee and sabre).
All fencers both experienced and new starters meet again on Saturday mornings (10.15 a.m. - 11.45 a.m.) for group and individual tuition.
Throughout the term fencers will attend both club and regional competitions.
Swimming
All our swimmers have been busy competing at several competitions in preparation for January Shropshire County Championships.
Oliver Greaves was selected to attend three regional development camps after his success at the West Midland Champs earlier in the year.
Three school records were broken at the Lancaster House competition-Oliver Greaves 100IM/Ben Smith 25Breaststroke and Clun in the Boys 4x25 Medley relay.
