Boys' 1st XI v Cranleigh (Semi-final Boarding Schools' Cup)

Date: Friday 12th March.  Home, 4.30pm meet for a 5.30pm

Team: S.Attwood, W.Byas, C.Twigg, J.Williams, D.Blackwood, L.Samra (Capt.), M.Dewis, A.Clarke-Dowson, N.Reineke, A.Roseanu, G.Osborne, L.Watton, H.Rees-Jones, S.Mullen, R.Ho Chan (15)

Result:  Repton 0 - 2 Cranleigh

Match Report:  Despite a disappointing result this was a much-improved performance from the boys.  Against a good Cranleigh side the game was of decent quality as both sides defended well as a team and looked dangerous in attack.  George Osborne and Steve Mullen caused the Cranleigh defence problems with pacy runs and won first-half short corners - the execution of which was unfortunately the main failing tonight.  Wayward injections and mis-traps meant that the Cranleigh goalkeeper was never really tested.

Cranleigh scored the opening goal with an aerial from a quickly taken free hit down the centre of the pitch which left Stephen Attwood little chance.  With twenty-five minutes remaining I felt confident that more chances would fall our way, as the boys had started the second half well, but the team shape was lost as players went desperately searching for an equaliser rather than playing the good hockey that had given them plenty of possession.  Charlie Twigg was left stranded, three on one, with a Cranleigh counter attack as the scoreline was doubled with about ten minutes remaining.

Positives, other than the team performance, were Alex Clarke-Dowson who had his best game of the season so far and Jeremy Williams who had another good game.  Adrian Roseanu also excelled in his new position.  Dean Close tomorrow is the final team preparation for Monday's Midlands Finals at Cannock.