Students take part in Hockey games

News - Jan 30

It has been a very busy week for our Colyton Grammar School hockey players.  

The Under 16 boys travelled to Tavistock, where they had a fantastic afternoon of hockey in the Devon tournament. They started against West Buckland, with our team seeming to cut through their half court press with ease. They showed patience and pinpoint passing accuracy to gain many scoring opportunities. It was Isaac H who managed to slot the ball past their advancing goalkeeper to bring our team their well-deserved goal. It was a close game, but Colyton were able to hold their lead to win 1-0.  

The team then played local rivals, Kings, Ottery, and this saw our team once again dominating. Great teamwork resulted in three penalty corners being won but unfortunately these could not be converted. It was Kings, to their credit, who scored on a counterattack and managed to set up a great 2 on 1 with our last defender. We lost by just the one goal. In their final game, Colyton played against Mount Kelly and what a great game it was. It was end to end and Colyton were not out-classed, but it was the overall tournament winners of Mount Kelly who did score the only goal to win 1-0.  

There were stand out performances from team captain, Matthew H, as well as Eli H and Will W. However, it was the work ethic from all players that impressed the most. They played superbly and demonstrated some excellent unit play, utilising all areas of the pitch and really testing their opposition with their collective teamwork. The team came in third place overall.  

Our Under 13 boys had a closely contested game against Kings with both teams having many chances to score. Both teams saw their goalkeepers putting in good performances and, for us, Will S played with real conviction and confidence, saving Colyton on many occasions. However, it was our team who managed to put the ball in the back of the net in the last two minutes of the game to win by just the one goal. It was a well-played game by everyone in the squad. It was disappointing that more schools could not field a team and that Sidmouth cried off on the day.  

In another game against Kings, our Under 12 boys travelled to Ottery. Although our boys found it challenging playing the Year 8 team, they gained from the experience and showed real potential for the future.  

Our Under 12 A and B girls hockey teams also played games against Kings, playing with energy and enjoying the fixture. Harriet B, Rie F and Zola linked particularly well in the A Team to create our team goals. However, everyone in both teams put in good individual performances and showed improving stickwork and passing accuracy.  

The A Team won their match 2-1, with the B team losing 0-3.  

Well done to everyone who took part in these games.