SPORTS ROUNDUP

The latest Sports Roundup from Mr Lyons.
It has been quite a fortnight for sport, and there are some tired pupils (and sports teachers) around school now.
Midweeks have been packed full of fixtures, with netball matches across all age groups Vs Prior Park and Stonar, and across all age groups and boys’ hockey with Prior Park. The girls have been improving every time I see them play – they have really embraced the process of working hard to improve their game and there is a real buzz around their fixtures.
Our U14 boys travelled to the Lord Wandsworth College super 7s hockey last Wednesday and had a successful day. On the same day we fielded, what I am led to believe was our first ever table tennis team. Despite it being a new competitive sport for us the boys played very well, with both teams making it to the semi-finals.
The following day the boy’s 1st XI hockey put in a barnstorming performance in their national vase fixture with Prior Park. In doing so, they booked themselves a next round fixture with Katherine Lady Berkeley’s School next half term.
Last Saturday, our pupils were representing Wiltshire in the Southwest Cross country finals. All the pupils ran brilliantly on a tough course. Congratulations to Rosie C-B, Tom C-B and Chiara G who have all qualified for the national finals in March.
Back at school we enjoyed a full block of fixtures with King Edward’s Southampton in hockey and some Senior netball fixtures with Dauntsey’s. The boys (and girls in the 3rd XI) played well against tough opposition from a much larger school. A special mention to Barnaby C-S, who played in both the 1st & 3rd XI victories, had a quick break, and went on to help the 1st XI football team to a victory against Downside on Cold Harbour!
The following morning, the U16 girls set off for their National T3 finals at Nottingham Hockey Centre. The girls played a warm-up game with Beeston Hockey club on Sunday afternoon, before heading back to their hotel for a recovery swim and a pre-game McDonalds. On the day of their competition, the girls were outstanding, on and off the pitch. They adapted to tactical adjustments from Mr Evans and Miss Yates and battled all day. They emerged from their group undefeated setting up a 3rd/4th place play-off game with Haileybury School. The girls continued to play their hearts out but could not quite grab the 3rd place finish spot from their opposition. They set off on the long trip back to Wiltshire with medals around their necks and a hugely deserved 4th place in the competition. I was so immensely proud of the way the girls conducted themselves throughout the two days and I am sure their achievement will be an inspiration to pupils throughout the School. Huge well done girls!
Hockey action continued the following day with the U16 boys heading up to King’s Gloucester for their National plate match. With Mr Titley coaching several of his old Prep School charges, the boys played solidly and came away with a narrow victory, booking themselves a home tie in the next round after half term.
On Wednesday the 1st VII played their second tournament of the term away at Bournemouth school. The sevens format of the game is relatively new to the boys at Warminster, and I have been impressed with how they are adapting to the challenge. The boys had another excellent day, topping their pool and eventually going out of the competition in the semi-finals by a single score.
As I write early on Thursday morning, we look forward to senior netball and hockey fixtures this afternoon with St Mary’s Calne and Sherborne. Next half term promises to be equally busy – as I look at the SOCS calendar, I can count the day with no sports fixture on one hand! I hope you all enjoy a restful break and look forward to watching the pupils tackle next half term’s sporting opportunities head on.
David Lyons, Director of Sport