Abingdonian 2020

42 The Abingdonian Hockey Once more the ever-growing Abingdon School Hockey Club had a very successful season, with over 200 boys representing the school in 16 teams on a weekly basis competing in the Independent Schools’ Hockey League (ISHL). As a club, Abingdon managed to score 104 goals over the course of the season in the ISHL against opposition including Wellington College, Marlborough College and local rivals Radley College. The 1st XI had another unbeaten season finishing top of the league for the second season in a row. This was the second year in the team for many of the boys and final year for some, with Mr Deasy, Mr Birkbeck and Mr Hobley making up the formidable coaching team. For the first time in the club’s history, the 1st XI was entered into the National Cup. The team stepped up to the challenge, managing to get to the final 16 where they were narrowly defeated (3 - 4) by Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in a very competitive fixture. The 1st XI games were greatly enjoyed by the spectators with an abundance of goals and action. A few of the biggest wins included a 9-0 win against RGS High Wycombe and an 8-1 win against Wellington College. In total, the team scored 55 goals in 11 games with the highest scorer Freddie Smith scoring 25 followed by Jayden Zamler who scored 11. Despite numerous spectacular goals from Freddie, he was unable to claim the goal of the season, as this was claimed by Kipp Mainstone in the final game of the season against local rivals Radley College. Under the floodlights at the fortress, that is Tilsley Park, on Friday 13 March (unlucky for some, lucky for others) the 1st XI faced Radley College for the final match of the season which would decide the winner of the league. As the high stakes game was nearing the final whistle, with the score at 2-2, Kipp rocketed the ball into the roof of the net from the top of the D with a reverse stick shot to win the game and league! Without question, this was the goal of the season. Many of the 1st XI players were Lower Sixth students, who will help to create a strong squad next season to continue the streak of league wins and