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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
UNDER 12 FOOTBALL
The term’s fixtures began well with a 7-0 home win against
West Hill, with Ben Jones scoring a hat trick, Edward Francis
scoring just before and after half-time, and Theo Whitley and
Charlie Ruddock also getting on the score sheet. It was
Charlie’s first touch of the game, no less, not bad for someone
who arrived fifteen minutes after kick-off!
The following week we were away at Sandbach. Although we
went a goal ahead and the game was evenly balanced at 1-1
at half-time, we lost the fixture 5-4. Giving away two cheap
penalties did not help our cause. Ben Jones scored two, the
second, a scintillating volley. Adam Clifford also got on the
score sheet, as did Edward Francis converting a free-kick
which cannot have been more than a couple of yards past the
half-way line. For most of the game, he was the most
prominent player on the park, working tirelessly in defence
and midfield and often ghosting through four or five players to
break onto goal.
We struggled again the following week, again away from
home. 10-0 defeats are rare and painful and not easy to
explain away. Altrincham Grammar School fielded an
exceptional team, however. Their track record said it all:
seventeen wins in eighteen fixtures. Thankfully, the half-time
Jaffa cakes worked wonders: we only conceded three goals in
last thirty minutes.
The following Wednesday, glorious sunshine more than made
up for the fact that three players failed to bring shin pads to
Manchester Grammar School. I wonder what advice
Ferguson, Di Matteo or Mancini would have on this thorny
issue. Conceding one goal in the opening minute did not
bode well, either, though the score was level at 2-2 at halftime,
with goals from Ben Jones and Edward Francis. Secondhalf
goals from Will Callan and a header from Junaid Hussain
should have sealed a victory, but the game ended 4-4 after
two late goals from M.G.S.
Our next game was at home against Wilsmlow. After the
‘gentle teasing’/savage mockery of the previous week, I was –
secretly – delighted that the U12s provided SGS with the only
win of the weekend. After goals from William Callan and Ben
Jones, we were 2-0 ahead at half-time. Ed Francis scored a
third in the second half, but then, after a purple patch of
Under 12 Football Squad
passing, Wilsmlow clawed back to 3-3. A wonder goal from
Niall Manford, on his début, put us once more into the lead.
It was much deserved after his tireless harrying of their back
four. Edward Francis sealed the victory with a free-kick from
30 yards.
Mr Wright took the squad to a an eight-a-side tournament at
M.G.S., where we won the plate competition, with Edward
Francis scoring a hat-trick in the final. It was a drama-filled
afternoon that went on way into the evening. The first game
was a comprehensive thrashing against a team who it later
transpired comprised solely of Second Years. Their member
of staff read the competition as a Year Eight rather than a eighta-side
competition. Thanks to Mr Wright, who took charge in
my absence.
Our final game was the derby against Cheadle Hulme at
home. Cheadle had won the M.G.S. eight-a-side competition
that week. We lost 3-1 after dominating the game for long
periods and holding them at 1-1 much of the game. The
highlights included beautiful, blue skies and a great free kick
from William Callan, one of our key players of the season.
We can draw plenty of positives from the season. This is a
talented squad and they are eminently coachable. Thanks as
ever to Mr Bowden for his help with training sessions.
B. Masters
NETBALL
Returning to Stockport
Grammar School for the
2011-2012 netball season
filled me with excitement; I
could not wait to get started!
As always, the netball fixture
list was action packed from
the first weekend in
September. The Under 14s
and Under 15s travelled to
Condover Hall in Shropshire
for a tournament, coming 3rd
overall in both age groups; it was a great way to prepare the
squads for the season.
The first piece of silverware came in October at the HMC
Netball Tournament at Stonyhurst, the Under 13s were
undefeated on the day, being worthy winners and they
continued their winning ways by beating Cheadle Hulme in
the Stockport Schools' competition and coming runners up in
the Manchester and District tournament. The biggest netball
competition of the year was getting closer and we had high
hopes in reaching the next stage of the National Schools’
competition in the Under 16s age.
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