Update

Competitive hockey was back this weekend, with the restart of the England Hockey Championships. In normal years the competitions are split into three tiers for each age group and we have historically entered the tier that most suits each team. This year, there is only one tier and so our teams were entered alongside the top clubs in England. This made for some tough games for some of our teams, who were given a lesson in what it takes to be competitive at the upper end of national competitions. Only our U16 boys team progressed through to the second round of the main cup, with all other teams losing and so qualifying for the plate competitions. All of the next rounds will take place on the weekend of 6th June.

Weekend Results

Sunday 23rd May

U16 Girls v Bournemouth 1 - 2

U16 Boys A v Fleet & Ewshot 14 - 0

U16 Boys B v Guildford U16 A 0 - 16

U14 Girls v Trojans 0 - 11

U14 Boys v Trojans 0 - 19

Junior Section Talent Development

In previous communications, we have discussed our aims to strengthen our talent development model within the junior section. In recent weeks we have refined our strategy for this important initiative. More detail is available here (‘Talent Development Initiative’) and here (‘Talent Coaching for Parents’).

The first stage in our plan has been a weekly talent development group training programme, which has been running through the summer term. Participants are now looking smart in their new midlayers!

Under 16 Girls

v Bournemouth - score 1 - 2

Scorer: Mimi Chainey

The U16 girls’ team delivered a tremendously hard-working performance against a top-class Bournemouth side. Winchester were delighted to welcome back some of their most experienced players for this EH Cup game, and the impact was noticeable, with Mimi, Amalee H and Mel combining to shore up the defence and provide a solid structure to the team.

Whilst solid at the back, and playing some skilful hockey in midfield, Winchester lacked a goal threat and had to cope with several periods of sustained Bournemouth pressure. Chloe, in an all-round impressive performance, delivered a number of crucial saves to keep Winchester in the game, but eventually the pressure told and Bournemouth established a 2-0 lead.

As the game drew towards its conclusion, most observers expected the game to drift towards a comfortable win for the visitors. The Winchester girls had other ideas though. Amelie N attacked with a powerful run into the D, and Mimi scored with a powerful shot from the resulting short corner. Winchester were now enjoying their most sustained period of possession and, urged on by the U16 boys from the side, pressed for an equalising goal. The Bournemouth defence held firm, and secured a deserved, but much closer than anticipated, victory.

Winchester now has an opportunity to compete in the plate and, if they can repeat this level of performance, will have a good chance to progress deep into the competition

Team Summit Under 14 Girls

v Trojans - score 0 - 11

Unfortunately it was a very wet and blustery start to our cup match against Trojans. However, Winchester pushed on through and came out to play a great game against a tough opposition.

At the very beginning of the first half Trojans attacked with great pace, sadly scoring three goals within the first seven minutes. The defence did well to adapt to this, very quickly helping us to go on to play a phenomenal rest of the half, with some great transitions in defence as well as a couple of great saves from Lucy in defence, well done!

In the second half, Trojans picked up even more and played some exceptional hockey, putting sustained pressure on our defence throughout the rest of the game. However, the defence worked incredibly hard and managed to help make a couple of great breakthroughs to the Trojans’ D with one very close ‘almost’ goal. Tilly made some great saves in goal.

Despite an unfortunate score line I think we played a great game of hockey, very well done.