Under 14 Boys

B’s Vs Andover - 3-4

Scorers: George (2), Will (1)

Winchester B squad started very slowly in this match and were soon 1-0 down against a good all-round Andover A side. This week, the boys were without their regular wide wing players but did include some debutants which was great to see. The new boys all did very well and fully justified their courage in making themselves available after showing great progress in recent Friday coaching sessions.

George equalised in a goal mouth scramble before the hosts extended the lead from a fast break. Andover scored two quick goals early in the second half through good, constructive passing and movement which left the visitors a lot to do to get back in the match. A well taken free hit found George free to claw one goal back with a strong shot - midway through the second half.

In defence, Campbell, Tom x 2, and Silas all individually played very well in defence, with Monty working extremely hard in the midfield minimising the overall effect of Andover’s strongest player throughout. As the game progressed Felix, George and Will started to run the game in attack with good wide movement, with one of the Andover goal posts being struck twice before Will secured the 3rd Winchester goal. That brought on a late onslaught around the Andover goal with Arthur agonisingly hitting the post once again, in the last minute of play. That meant the well-deserved draw was not to be, in a very exciting and tense last ten minutes of play.

Under 12 Girls

A’s Vs Haslemere Wizards (4-3) & vs Havant (0-1)

Scorers: Rosanna, Isla T, Emma, Thea

What a morning of two completely different matches for the U12 Girls A team. First up, Haslemere Wizards, currently top of the league but a game the girls were more than capable of winning.

The girls were all clearly up for the game and came out looking confident and strong, soaking up any pressure from Haslemere and controlling the game from the start. Quite early in the first half they took advantage of some excellent quick passing hockey to take the lead with a lovely worked goal down the right hand side of the pitch with Rosanna coolly slotting the ball past the keeper.

Two more Winchester goals in relatively quick succession from Isla T and then Emma, and although Haslemere tried to breakdown the Winchester defence on a number of occasions both Ally and Freya P made some great, well-timed tackles and Ella made a couple of great saves to ensure Winchester went into the halftime break with a commanding 3–0 scoreline.

Undeterred Haslemere were continually looking to turn the game around and early in the second half won a short corner which they converted with a hard hit from the top of the D. Soon after Thea took a clean strike at the top of the D at the other end of the pitch to take the score to 4–1. With it looking like a comfortable win on the cards, Haslemere still continued to attack but even two more goals weren’t enough to beat a determined Winchester team.

Players of the Match: Ella R, Isla T

With the next match against Havant coming straight after such a high-paced game, the Winchester girls were caught napping at the pushback and Havant scored in the first 30 seconds. A real shame as despite continuing attacks and some nice movement from the back through the midfield and on to the attack Winchester were just not able to find the same goal scoring form of the earlier match and after 30 mins of play the game ended with a disappointing loss for the girls 1 – 0 to Havant.

Players of the Match: Isla T, Ally

B’s Vs Basingstoke 1 - 4-2 & 3-0

Scorers: Isabella, Aggie (3); Isabella, Zoe, Venne

The B team faced Basingstoke 1’s this week. Basingstoke were one player short, giving us great advantage which was clear from the word go, spending most of the first half in and around Basingstoke's D. Super runs on the right from speedy Zoe led pretty quickly to a nice goal from Isabella. Basingstoke didn't spend much time in our D but they had a few strong strikes and managed to equalise soon after. Continuous pressure from our girls meant that we created lots of chances and a deserved goal by Aggie just before half time. We remained dominant in the second, including three short corners. Basingstoke had a few brilliant counter attacks which luckily were brilliantly saved by Lara. That gave us the boost we needed and we scored two super quick goals, a fab hat-trick for Aggie. Basingstoke showed their potential and nipped in a goal at the end of the game. Final score 4-2, a brilliant win!

We then played the same Basingstoke team again - this time as a friendly - as Southampton has pulled their team out of the league, and without goalie Lara who was needed in our C team. Confidence was pretty strong after great win, whilst Basingstoke's legs were getting tired. Lots of positional changes in our team gave everyone the chance to play in much desired midfield. There was some lovely passing and again lots of time in Basingstoke's D. Their keeper made some brilliant saves but we managed to score three lovely goals, finishing the second match with a comfortable 3-0 win!

C’s vs Southampton 1 (2-0) & basingstoke 2 (6-2)

Scorers: Bella, Charlotte B; Bella (4), Esme, Charlotte B

We have been working to have a consistent C team and this is now starting pay dividends with the team putting out another strong performance on Sunday which saw them deliver two good wins.

U10s

Vs Andover & Basingstoke

Winchester U10s took three teams to Andover in a triangular with Basingstoke on Sunday 6th February. Over the last month or so Winchester have been developing two 1st teams to take to the Hampshire In2 Hockey event at the end of February. Following this strategy, there was a boys’ team, augmented with Rosie and Eva, an all-girls team and a development team to give match experience to another eight players, in what is our last away tournament of the season. Conditions were dry but very cold with the wind chill giving a "feels like" temperature of -4 degrees! Winchester also introduced goalkeeping kit across the teams for the first time which the rookie pads-wearers enjoyed greatly.

Results from the lads+2 was a terrific six wins and a tired draw in the final match.

The girls got off to a strong start, working brilliantly together as a team and resulting in two wins. They had a couple of losses in the artic chill and finished with a draw - it was a great team effort from all the girls!

Results from the development team were a couple of losses and some well earned draws. Eleanor and Olivia had great fun in goal and all the players worked well across the pitch, battling out for points and defending with strength.

As ever thanks to all coaches, admin and parents. In all it was a fun morning with some proper hockey from everyone involved.