Thursday 1st February 2024 v Portsmouth Grammar School (Hampshire Plate Quarter Finals)
After a good win in the previous round, our boys’ football team had to travel to Portsmouth Grammar School to play in the quarter final of the plate. The game was played a very wide but short pitch and was the first away game the boys have had this year. The rose brilliant to the challenge and immediately took control of the game and dominated the ball. They were unlucky not to go ahead but they kept composed and looked to find the break through. The first goal came from a corner which Jake brilliantly headed in after attacking the near post. Having taken the corner, Rueben then went provider to goal scorer with a neat finish to make it 2-0. A few minutes later Jake turned his defender well and tucked the ball away for a third. In previous games, the boys’ have often found themselves in similar positions but taken their foot of the gas and allowed the opposition back into the game. Today was not following that pattern and the boys showed their ruthless side with Blake scoring on his debut from close range before Leo fired in a long range effort after beating 2 players to make the score 5-0 at half time.
The second half followed a very similar course. The only scare was when a sliced clearance fell to a PGS striker whose shot was brilliantly kept out by Evan to protect his clean sheet. Two more goals from Jake and one from Luca saw the game finish at 8-0. From front to back, this was the boys strongest performance this season. They played excellently as a team and even as the score started to grow they kept their shape and played some excellent football. After the game, it was hard to tell whether they were more pleased about the result or the chicken nuggets they were served in the pavilion!
They are now looking forward to the semi-finals which have yet to be drawn and should have every confidence in going the distance in the competition.
Netball Cluster Tournament
On Tuesday 6th February, a group of Year 5 and 6 pupils took part in a netball tournament at Wyvern School. We entered two teams and played against Durley, Upham and Owslebury Primary Schools. Each player worked hard to move the ball down the court displaying brilliant determination and teamwork. One of our teams won all their matches and so will go onto represent our school in the finals, to be held at Wildern School next week. Well done to everyone involved.
National League Trust Regional Finals – Thursday 8th February 2024
Having won the local tournament on the pitch at half time of an Eastleigh game, our boys’ football team travelled to Woking to the regional finals as Eastleigh FC. Represented there were schools from all over the south of England. The standard of football was incredibly high on a very wet and cold day. The boys had a touch start and lost their opening game against Aldershot. They then played against Slough Town in a well fought contest. Both teams had good chances but Slough was more clinical and won the game narrowly. There was a similar outcome in the next match against Havant and Waterlooville. This result meant it would be hard for us to qualify for the knock out rounds. Although the boys were disappointed, they were able to play the next two games without pressure. They got well into their stride in the first of these games and were unlucky to only draw with Woking FC. They then enjoyed a good lunch break and came out for their final game in high spirits and played some their best football all day. At the final whistle they secured a 3-0 win. This was a tough day for the boys against some very good opposition but served as a great learning opportunity for them. They should all be very proud at how they represented the school.
Saints Foundation Premier League Primary Stars Tournament
On Friday 9th February, 8 members of our girls football team travelled to Millbrook to play at the Saints Foundation Premier League Primary Stars Tournament against 27 other primary schools. They played 9 matches in total and worked tirelessly throughout. After sailing through our group stage (scoring 28 goals) we narrowly missed a placed in the semis, meeting strong opposition in the quarter-final. The girls showed brilliant passing, some incredible goal-keeping and such a strong work ethic. They were very pleased to meet members of Southampton FC Women's First Team and were excited to have their photo taken with Laura Rafferty and Paige Peake.
Year 3 Cricket Festival
On Tuesday 20th February, eight Year 3 pupils attended a cricket festival at Wildern School. The event was led by a coach from Hampshire County Cricket Club and sports leaders from Wildern School. The children loved using the opportunity to develop their knowledge and understanding of the game as well as their cricket specific skills. They all enjoyed the experience and represented our school superbly.