Abingdonian 2017

43 www.abingdon.org.uk Lent Term Hockey The 2017 hockey season proved to be one of the best ever for Abingdon Hockey Club, with 18 teams competing regularly against prestigious opposition such as Eton, Marlborough, Bradfield and Cheltenham in the Independent Schools’ Hockey League (ISHL). In total, the club played 137 fixtures, with a win percentage of 57%. We have over 200 pupils involved in either training or fixtures each week ranging from those that have never played before to U18 internationals. The club has scored 331 goals, and has 26 boys representing either county, regional or national teams. The season started with a pre-season tour for the 1st and 2nd XI down to Exeter. With an abundance of talent, the team were lucky enough to train on world-class facilities at Exeter University. We played matches against Queens Taunton and Taunton School. The pupils were put through their paces, but came out with a fantastic 5-1 win against Taunton School. With momentum in their step the 1st XI started their ISHL campaign the following week against St Edwards with a solid 4-1 win. And the season continued as it started, as the boys played scintillating hockey. They pressed as a unit and continued to score for fun. The best results of the season came against Magdalen College School where the 1st XI ran out a 5-3 win and Marlborough (who have been our bogey team for the last three years) where the boys won 4-1. This led to the team being unbeaten (the first Abingdon School team to do this for a decade), scoring 34 goals in 11 matches, with a win percentage of 83%, a really quite incredible statistic. I would like to thank those involved (named below) for all their hard work and fantastic attitude throughout the season: Aravind Prabhakaran, Aran Johal, Charlie Stoker, James Hall, Oscar Bond, Ray Prince, Oliver Lovibond, Max Carter Keall, John Corran, Archie Andrews, Jonathan Hurrell, Harry Venables, James Smith, David Mackney, Matthew Saunders-Davies and Thomas Dingwall. There are many other moments that could be mentioned throughout the season, but there are a special few that stand out. The U14 As had a fantastic season, storming their ISHL league, scoring 25 goals and only conceding five. This squad of players is very exciting indeed, and it will be brilliant to watch how they develop over the next few years. The U15 As also went unbeaten in the league, and were unlucky not to win the league on goal difference. The U15 Bs had the most incredible season, winning their last match 7-1 to clinch the ISHL title in the last match of the season. These boys were a great squad and really showed what passion and energy can do to a team. The U16 As also had a wonderful season, coming second in their league after a tough match against their rivals Radley. I would like to thank all of those involved for their time and effort over the past season. The coaching is of a high quality and this has shown in the overall results and passion that the boys display, week in, week out. There are a couple of special mentions; Max Carter-Keall has been selected for the England U18 squad a year young for their European competition. Will Carter-Keall (OA), continues his England adventure, playing for the England U21s and captaining Exeter University 1st XI. Overall, it has been another fantastic season, full of success, fun and hard work. I look forward to welcoming everyone in 2018 up at the fortress Tilsley Park to get the next season underway. Olly Deasy