17 January 2017
Abingdon Hockey Club started off with a fantastic block fixture against St Edward's, with 10 fixtures across all age groups. The U14s started off their first hockey season for the school with three victories. The U14As winning 4-1 thanks to some excellent finishing by Rory Mitchell and the U14Bs and Cs, winning two tight games 2-0 and 2-1. The U15s continued where they left off last season with two hard fort and excellent victories for the U15As and Bs.
The U16 As had an end to end game, with the score finishing 5-3 to Abingdon, a special mention to Toby Pratt for scoring a hat-trick in this game, to secure the victory. The U16Bs played some flowing hockey, with some good patterns and won 4-1.
The seniors were at the fortress, Tilsley Park, with good support from both teams the 1st and 2nd XI fixtures were primed for some quick, free-flowing hockey. The 2s played excellently, controlling the game, and after a few missed chances found their goal-scoring ability, winning with a 5-0 convincing victory. The 1st XI fresh from their pre-season tour in the South-West, played a very controlled, mature game. They were compact in defence and lethal in attack. With the game poised at 2-1, Aran Johal stepped up to score a drag-flick to calm the nerves just before half time. With the two goal buffer, Abingdon looked like scoring with most attacks, St Edward's were saved by some heroic defending. With the game getting slightly scrappy, Abingdon scored one more, leaving the end result a 4-1 victory to Abingdon.
Overall a fantastic block fixture for the Club, winning nine out of ten, scoring 29 and conceding 10. A great way to start the season: we look forward to what will be a tough fixture against Eton next weekend.
