Abingdon News No.50

Hockey An excellent season with over 180 pupils taking part in 15 teams each week. The 1st XI had a 100% win rate and the U12s were plate winners at the regional finals putting them in 5th position in the south region. Pre-season training for the older boys in San Sebastian, set the teams up to compete well in the ISHL and the U16s won their county rounds without losing a game. The 1st XI won their ISHL for the second time in three years. The Club has also set up a partnership with premier league power Reading Hockey Club, providing top level coaching. The Football Club had a good term with a number of firsts including the introduction of Futsal, the U16 As’ fixture vs Oxford United and weekly Goalkeeper Clinics with Oxford United’s Head of Goalkeeping, Wayne Brown. There were block wins over Radley, Haileybury and Wellingborough, with some terrific results v Hampton including the U14 As’ 4-3 win. The 1st XI beat Magdalen College School 1-0 in the Friday night lights, and have won 8 and drawn 5 of the 14 games played. Football Students enjoyed a demanding RYA winter match racing training weekend in Weymouth. The sailors rose to the challenge despite the wind strength being the maximum it could be without cancelling the event. Sailing The U18 team played with a tremendous amount of confidence and skill with notable victories over Radley, Stowe, D’Overbroecks and Magdalen College School. Win and Adewale have done a super job as captains this year and have led the team incredibly well. Basketball Squash In the national finals of the National Schools Plate Competition every boy played outstandingly well against strong opposition. Victories against Bryanston and King’s Canterbury led to Exeter in the final where we were unlucky to lose by a narrow margin. 15