Giles Hayton who was the player of the season for the 2nd XI last year

Hockey Gallery

Hockey
Wednesday 25th January

Rossall Under 14s played King Edwards Lytham Under 15s team and despite the game being cut to 45 mins Rossall were able to secure a very comfortable 6-2 victories following a wonderful team display. David Trapnell scored two goals but 16 boys played in the game emphasising Rossall's depth. Sam Braidford, James Boyd, Charlie Roberts and Jonny Lee also scored. The Under 14s are progressing impressively and are hoping to retain the North of England title this year.

ROSSALL RETAIN LANCASHIRE TITLES
U14s - Under 18s!

Another impressive week for Rossall Hockey with all three teams winning the Lancashire Cup and each team recording victories against strong opposition. The Under 14s secured the title with a dominating 5-1 victory against Manchester Grammar School, the Under 16s won a thrilling encounter with a last minute goal from Tom Morrison to win 5-4 and the Under 18s secured both the Lancashire Cup and League Title with 12 conclusive victories, including a 17-0 victory against Manchester Grammar School last term. The Under 13s will also be hoping to retain the Lancashire Cup later in the term.

The 1st XI have made an excellent start to the term, following the indoor National Finals. After their 5-1 defeat of Watford Grammar School which cemented Rossall's reputation as one of the best teams in the country, Rossall faced North of England Champions King's Chester and unbeaten Denstone College from the Midlands. On Wednesday the boys dominated King's Chester and secured a 5-3 victory against a talented King's Chester side. King's Chester opened the scoring and were confident of victory. Particularly after their impressive season, which have included ten wins and a 16-0 victory. However, Rossall quickly replied with 2 well taken Jack Bradley goals and a fine strike by Dale Fisher to lead 3-1 at half time. Although King's Chester scored two goals in the second half, Rossall eased to victory with goals from Jack Morrison and Felix Bose. Although it was a rusty performance after the Christmas break, Rossall played some wonderful hockey and should have won by a greater margin against a determined opponent.

On Saturday Rossall played a strong Denstone College team coached by Olympic gold medallist Imran Shiawi. Denstone who had travelled 3 hours to play on the Fylde Coast had 2 England players and a number of impressive Germans. Both teams were also unbeaten before the game, with Rossall winning 13/13 games including the victory against North of England Champions King's Chester on Wednesday. Despite this, Rossall dominated possession throughout the game, although they failed to create many chances against a well organised team. Denstone defended from the half way line throughout the game, allowed little room for Rossall in attack. Although a great compliment to Rossall, it frustrated the forwards who were unable to score in the first half against a team relying on creating chances on the counter attack. The tactic appeared to be working when Denstone took the lead with one of their few attacks on the break. It was a well taken goal and Rossall seemed to losing control of the game. With injuries to Key players Charlie Andrews, William Parker and central midfielder Milan Weber the boys responded with great determination and scored a splendid goal in the top corner by Felix Bose. Despite several short corner appeals the boys could not find the winner and game ended 1-1 with Rossall firmly encamped in the Denstone half. The standard of Hockey was outstanding throughout, although Rossall remained frustrated by Denstone negative but effective half court press. Denstone were happy to hold on to a draw in a highly competitive match. Unbeaten Rossall travel to Sedbergh this weekend with great confidence despite injuries to three of their starting XI.

In other fixtures this week, Rossall Under 14s warmed up for their regional tournament with a splendid 2-0 victory against Merchant Taylors Crosby on Saturday. Goals by Charlie Roberts and the skillful Danny Evans led them to a good victory against their spirited opponents. The Under 15s also won 1-0 but were disappointed with the scoreline in a game they dominated. The Rossall goalkeeper hardly touched the ball the boys were left frustrated by a number of near misses. Thankfully the Under 16s on Wednesday were able to score 5 goals and retained the Lancashire cup. The future remains bright at Rossall too. The under 12s defeated Denstone College 1-0 at both A and B team level. An impressive result after their long Journey to Staffordshire. Although the Under 13s lost to Denstone College they defeated Malsis School, the reigning North of England Under 13 champions 5-1 on Wednesday. A splendid week for Rossall Hockey! All of Rossall teams secured victories and Rossall retained all three Lancashire trophies for the third year in a row.

Year 7 (Under 12) Hockey Match Report Vs Denstone College
Sat 21st Jan 

After a slight hiccup in the first game of the hockey season, the boys were determined to put things right with a good performance against a very strong hockey school. The A team played first and started the match in excellent fashion. The ball was moved from one side of the pitch to the other with ease and tired the opposition out quickly. When the opportunity arose the ball was played wide and up the sides which we had decided was the best way to play. Chances kept coming but not quite going into the goal, but eventually late in the first half, Bradley Sharples picked the ball up at the top of the “D” and struck an impressive low reverse shot into the bottom left corner.

After such a good first half, it was asked of the boys to push hard and try and raise these already high standards they had set. In parts there were sure signs of this, but as the boys got more tired the ball seemed to be forced down the middle a bit too much and possession was given away a few too many times. Yet with solid defending from the back three of Harrison Stott, Alex Eastham and Teo Beaume, coupled with good distribution, we still looked a threat when the ball was played in to the high two players.

The game finished 1-0 to Rossall and was a fantastic result for all of the boys.

Man of the Match = Bradley Gosling and Alex Eastham

The second match saw the B team play in what for many of them, was their first ever experience of competitive hockey. Once again through the hard work the boys have been doing in training, the Rossall boys started the game in great style. The ball was fizzing around from player to player with a great deal of accuracy. With good movement up front the opportunities in front of goal were coming thick and fast. Eventually, from a short corner the ball was struck goal bound, and Will McCaragher was able to get a neat deflection on the ball, and divert it into the goal. In the second half, there was a similar story to the A team match, where the boys tired and some of the things they were doing so well in the first half became a little more difficult. Still looking threatening on the break, Rossall had a number of chances to close the game out, Lee Jagger having a great game in attack. Well played to all the boys and I look forward to our next fixture.

Man of the Match = Will McCaragher and Lee Jagger

Girls Hockey
w/c 05.12.11

1st XI Girls Hockey vs Austin Friars

Rossall started well and soon was 1 - 0 up with a goal from Dani Waistle. Rossall kept the pressure up and Emily Jackson scored a brace to make it 3-0 at half time. Austin Friars came back hard but the defenders kept them out and Dani Waistle scored another to make it 4-0. Rossall kept the pressure on with good interlinking play and kept transferring the ball at the back to keep Austin Friars under pressure. Austin Friars scored a breakaway goal but Dani Waistle scored her hat trick before the final whistle blew to give Rossall a 5-1 win.

1st XI Girls Hockey vs Stonyhurst

The Rossall team started well but could not convert early pressure into goals. Stonyhurst got back in the game and threatened the Rossall goal but Hannah Jenkinson kept them out to make it 0-0 at half time. Rossall improved in the 2nd half and played with more determination to push for a win but poor decision making in the last 25 gave Stonyhurst chance to threaten on the counter attack. The game ended in a 0-0 draw with both sides missing good opportunities. Player of the Match was Hannah Jenkinson.

Lancashire Hockey girls

Three Rossall pupils were successful in the Lancashire hockey trials and as a result now represent their county.

All three girls have made great strides in their hockey, Ella is the youngest of the three and has only been playing hockey since she joined Rossall. Ella is in the Lancashire U13 squad and we wish Hayley and Kennedy the best of luck at their trials in the New Year.

Lancashire hockey girls
left to right: Ella Morley, Kennedy Taylor and Hayley Hughes

North West Indoor Champions and Lancashire cup and League Outdoor winners.

This week Rossall completed their Lancashire Hockey League. The boys secured their 8th comprehensive win and a 100% record by defeating Bolton Boys School 6-0 and Bury Grammar School 8-0. Josh Williams on his first team debut scored four goals, Keenan Quill Rossall's inspirational Captain also scored three goals.

The rest of the goals were shared amongst an extremely talented team that scored nearly over 60 goals and conceded only 2. 

They are now the North West Indoor Champions and Lancashire cup and League Outdoor winners.

Lancashire Champions

North West Under 16 Hockey Champions

These are pictures from the day Rossall became North West Under 16 Hockey Champions, having defeated Caldy Grange 1-0 in the final with a goal from Jack Morrison.

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...Will receives the trophy....................................The victorious team!