Sports round-up – 17th January 2015

This weekend the Senior School netballers were determined to bounce back after last week’s results. There was a much improved display from the 2nd VII who carved out a fantastic 11-11 draw at Monkton Combe, with Esther Kirrage player of the match. After an impressive start in which Tallulah Cope called the shots, the 1st VII faded in a 7-14 loss. The Under 15s played against both Monkton Combe and Royal High School, Bath. The A team lost both games but the B team put in an outstanding performance against Royal High in a narrow 10-9 victory, with Lily Lever player of the match.
The Under 14 netball teams continued to show their potential with two great wins against Monkton Combe. The A team won 7-5, with Emily Cooke player of the match. The B team won 14-6, with Hannah Kirwan player of the match.
This week the girls are looking forward to a masterclass session with Team Bath and England goal shooter Rosie Alison.
After a strong set of performances the previous weekend, the boys' hockey teams were looking forward to a stiff challenge against King's School, Bruton. King's had lost narrowly to Millfield during the week so the 1st XI knew what kind of performance they had to put in. Warminster began strongly and deservedly opened the scoring, with Hector Lyons scoring from the top of the D. However, King's quickly began to settle and began to exert control by capitalising on Warminster's mistakes. Nonetheless, Warminster never gave up and their effort could not be faltered in a 1-4 loss.
The 2nd XI, after leading 2-0 and 3-2, eventually went down 3-6, with Will Pratt scoring two fine goals. Both the Under 15 teams lost 0-3 but the Under 14A team put in a memorable display in a 4-1 victory, with Felix Sheves scoring two goals and Sean Bailey player of the match.
The Under 13 teams are making excellent progress. The A team won 8-2 at Salisbury Cathedral School, with Alfie Dackombe and Edward Vickery helping themselves to hat-tricks. Meanwhile, the B team won 5-2, with two goals each from Poshan Ghale and Bryce Furlong. The C yeam played at home to Chafyn Grove and raced into a 3-0 lead. However, Chafyn pegged Warminster back, scoring three goals themselves in a 3-3 draw. The D team won 1-0 again, with Xavier Benbow scoring the only goal.
This week the Under 16 XI begin their preparations for the county tournament with a match against Clayesmore School before the exeat weekend. There are high hopes for this team and we wish Josh Haines and his team-mates well in their preparations.
The 1st XI footballers slipped to defeat in difficult weather conditions at Sidcot School. The 2nd XI’s match at QEH Bristol was cancelled due to snow covering the pitch.
The Prep School netballers faced Stonar School last Wednesday and were dominant from the off, racing to a 11-0 first quarter lead. Olivia Carpenter and Lottie Craven-Smith were the main architects. Mrs Butterworth then changed things around and presented the team with different challenges including increasing the height of the net. They eventually ran out 15-0 winners. The Under 11B team also made a good start to their season in a tight 2-1 victory.
The boys’ Under 11 hockey teams faced Heywood Prep. Despite dominating for large periods of the game, they just could not find the net. Oliver Wood put Warminster into the lead but, after a raft of changes at half time, Heywood scrambled an equaliser to finish.
On Thursday, the Under 7, 8 and 9 teams faced Hazlegrove School for their first games of the season. The Under 7 and 8s played as an A and B team. The A teams dominated but were unable to convert their chances. Barnaby Craven-Smith and Joshua Knight put in strong performances. The B team lost 0-3, with Jack Baddick-Hughes player of the match. The Under 9 team played three very evenly contested 10-minute games against three Hazlegrove sides.
On Saturday, the Under 11 Lions and Tigers also faced Hazlegrove School. Despite losing the games, they worked hard and will learn from their performances.
Christopher Knight
Director of Sport