Winchester Hockey Club Oracle Edition 14
As 20-21 Season Winds Down…
With the exception of the U16 boys, it feels like the season is coming to its natural end now. Both U14 teams and the girls U16s were eliminated from their respective EH Cups at the weekend, and training numbers for all groups has been falling. At the moment, training is due to run until the end of June, but please look out for messages from your managers for any changes to that timetable. In the meantime, the U16 boys march through to the last 16 of the EH Cup after a thrilling victory against Guildford on Sunday. The draw doesn't get any easier from here, with the next round this coming Sunday away against Wimbledon. Good luck to them.
In the meantime, plans are moving quickly on for next season. Booking for summer camps is now available on Teamo and details about 2021-22 training slots, coaches and managers will be available shortly.
Weekend Results
Saturday 5th June
U16 Boys A v Guildford 5 - 3
Sunday 23rd May
U14 Girls v Guildford 0 - 13
U14 Boys v Fleet & Ewshot 1 - 5
Congratulations!
Our congratulations to Matt de Lara who passed his Level 1 Umpire Award on Tuesday 8th June.
2021 Summer Camps
We are delighted that Summer Camps will be running again this year, bigger and better than before! WHC are offering six two and three day camps over three weeks (commencing 26th July, 9th August and 16th August).
The camps are open to everyone from U8s to U18s, and will focus on improving core skills, specialist areas (eg corners, flicking, drag and aerials), building fitness and having fun. GKs will also benefit from a specific GK coach on the three day camps.
Tickets are first come, first serve… so book your place quickly through Teamo so you don’t miss out!
Under 16 Boys
EH Cup Second Round v Guildford - Score 5 - 3
Scorers: Alfie Marsh (2), Ollie Lander (2), Max Wedderburn
The U16A Boys continued their progress in the EH Cup last Saturday with a hard earned win over a strong Guildford side, played in condition better suited to beach barbeques than hockey. The boys again showed the importance of the strength in depth of the squad in overcoming some sustained pressure in the second half.
The boys got off to a flyer in the first half, going into half-time at 4-0 up. A couple of well worked short-corners and some excellent pressing up front led to Winchester being well on top. However, the start of the second half saw Winchester drop off in their intensity and Guildford stepping up, which led to Guildford putting pressure on Winchester’s back line. The game got a bit scrappy and two quick goals encouraged Guildford further; when the third went in, it was nervy times.
However, Winchester survived the pressure and with Guildford having taken their keeper off in the last few minutes in search of the equalizer, the boys scored on the break to relieve the pressure.
Final score 5-3, and a third round match coming up next weekend against Wimbledon.
Team Summit Under 14 Girls
v Guildford - score 0 - 13
It was a beautiful day to play hockey and our team connected really well together. Guildford were an amazing team and they played exceptionally well - we were unlucky with our loss.
Tilly the goalkeeper played amazingly, saving as many goals as she could have - she used her voice to talk to our team as she had a clear view of the pitch. Esther also played amazingly but unfortunately towards the end of the game got hit in the shin by a ball. Amelia and Bella made some amazing runs forward getting the ball into the D.
Overall the score was not what we would have wanted we tried our best and had fun!
by Rosie Hodgkinson
Under 14 Boys
v Fleet & Ewshot - Score 1 - 5
Scorer: Rory Kilpatrick
A very spirited performance was shown in the U14 boys in their EH Plate match, where several players were actually playing their first match of the season (in June!). Thus, it took 15 minutes or so to get the team structure balance correct, in terms of positions for these new players. In that time the visitors had scored from a lucky short corner from a deflected touch from one of the Winchester runners after the Winchester attack had been looking lively. That then gave Fleet the confidence to attack with speed with the home defence often stranded too far up field trying to equalise. Thereafter for the rest of the half the game was very even. The Winchester forwards had many attempts on goal and were thwarted by the goalkeeper or just struck shots wide. Skipper Rory Kilpatrick eventually scored with a powerful shot from a tight angle to make it 1-3 just before halftime.
There was now much belief within the home side camp to create more goals and this was reflected with good periods of the action within the Fleet D and a host of near misses. These were countered with the defence often caught too high up field and then outpaced and eventually - despite a brave attempt by Seb Eaton in goal to beat a well drilled 2 v 1 attack - a further goal was scored against. That inspired Fleet to attack a bit more often as the match again went end to end, but sadly the only further successful shot on goal was again from the visitors to seal the score at 1-5, in a game which could easily have been 5-5. That had looked unlikely after the first 15 minutes!
The squad as a whole has great promise in the months to come and those still available next season at this age group, will certainly be looking (and very capable) of easily making amends for recent results.
Action Photos from EH Cup First Round Matches
