U10A v Kimbolton 20 January 2017
Kimbolton School has always been the most accomplished hockey opposition we play, so our first match of the term would be an excellent test of how far we had progressed....
On paper we had a strong team. All the players have developed their skills over the last year to a good standard. The question remained; could they combine their individual skills with game strategy and assured teamwork?
Henry Sullivan-Porteous had warmed up with the B's, and was assisted in a strong but mobile defence by Henry Clifton and Gilbert Genever-Jones. Captain Sam Harriss held the midfield with Raife Brownlow and Edmund Kavati, whilst Ted Pennell and Felix Bowling swapped the strikers role up front.
From the off we could see that the Kimbolton side were strong; their skills assured, passing accurate and movement exceptional. However, Copthill were not to be over-run. Our defence looked solid and we competed hard in the midfield. When we had possession we enjoyed bursts of good inter-passing and pushed forward, but weren't quite able to unlock a well drilled Kimbolton defence.
The first goal came midway through the first half. It was a cracker. There was nothing Henry could do. Incisive running and passing through the midfield, followed by a clean hard strike on the run. Although not what we wanted; a Kimbolton goal, it was a lovely visual demonstration to our boys of what they need to strive for!
Again, as we would expect from Copthill, the boys competed hard, tackled ferociously, and showed some very nice touches of individual skill. When we had time on the ball we put together sequences of accurate passing, and our movement off the ball looked promising.
However, this particular Kimbolton side were a little stronger than us in all departments, so as the second half progressed we conceded goals. Some goals very well taken, but there was one soft (unfortunate?) one when we all momentarily stood and watched!
The match finished 4-0 to Kimbolton. However there are many positives for us to take from it. We competed hard, our heads didn't drop, we showed some excellent touches, and when it all clicked we took the game to them as an equal. This demonstrates the progress that the boys have made, and is certainly the most accomplished performance I have witnessed by a Copthill team against Kimbolton. Well done! The players will have another chance to play Kimbolton as part of U11 A and B's later in the term. We can look forward to those games with confidence.
Thank you to all our Parent Supporters, and to Sam for his excellent captaincy. Congratulations to all the boys for their efforts, and to Man of the Match Gilbert for his calm determination, skill and courage in defence.
Nick T
On paper we had a strong team. All the players have developed their skills over the last year to a good standard. The question remained; could they combine their individual skills with game strategy and assured teamwork?
Henry Sullivan-Porteous had warmed up with the B's, and was assisted in a strong but mobile defence by Henry Clifton and Gilbert Genever-Jones. Captain Sam Harriss held the midfield with Raife Brownlow and Edmund Kavati, whilst Ted Pennell and Felix Bowling swapped the strikers role up front.
From the off we could see that the Kimbolton side were strong; their skills assured, passing accurate and movement exceptional. However, Copthill were not to be over-run. Our defence looked solid and we competed hard in the midfield. When we had possession we enjoyed bursts of good inter-passing and pushed forward, but weren't quite able to unlock a well drilled Kimbolton defence.
The first goal came midway through the first half. It was a cracker. There was nothing Henry could do. Incisive running and passing through the midfield, followed by a clean hard strike on the run. Although not what we wanted; a Kimbolton goal, it was a lovely visual demonstration to our boys of what they need to strive for!
Again, as we would expect from Copthill, the boys competed hard, tackled ferociously, and showed some very nice touches of individual skill. When we had time on the ball we put together sequences of accurate passing, and our movement off the ball looked promising.
However, this particular Kimbolton side were a little stronger than us in all departments, so as the second half progressed we conceded goals. Some goals very well taken, but there was one soft (unfortunate?) one when we all momentarily stood and watched!
The match finished 4-0 to Kimbolton. However there are many positives for us to take from it. We competed hard, our heads didn't drop, we showed some excellent touches, and when it all clicked we took the game to them as an equal. This demonstrates the progress that the boys have made, and is certainly the most accomplished performance I have witnessed by a Copthill team against Kimbolton. Well done! The players will have another chance to play Kimbolton as part of U11 A and B's later in the term. We can look forward to those games with confidence.
Thank you to all our Parent Supporters, and to Sam for his excellent captaincy. Congratulations to all the boys for their efforts, and to Man of the Match Gilbert for his calm determination, skill and courage in defence.
Nick T
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