Boys' U16A v Rugby

Date: Tuesday 2nd February 

Venue: Home (Waterbased) - Meet at 3pm

Team: Edwards, Eldred, Rowles, Croson, Porter, Chaffey, Findlay, Noakes, Chapman, Taylor, Thomas, Winfield, Priestley

Result: Drew 0-0

Match Report: Although neither team was able to score, this was a decent hockey match and Repton should feel pleased with their performance. The home team showed good composure on the ball and worked tirelessly in defence. What is most encouraging is their willingness to apply what we have practised in training into their match play. In addition, there is a much more genuine sense of team play that makes them so much more effective - rather than the more individual approach that was so common last year.

Rugby created very few goal-scoring chances, although I am sure that they will rue the one clear opportunity they had mid-way through the second half. They certainly defended well and it was telling that Repton only managed to win one short corner in the whole match. So, much of the match was played from '25' to '25' - with neither team really able to penetrate the opposition's defence.

There were some very good performances from the Repton team - Christian Priestley showed that he can cope with A team hockey, Rob Taylor impressed up front and Henry Eldred and Jonathan Rowles slick in defence. However, the 'man of the match' was James Porter who really raised his game: he made endless tackles and absorbed a huge amount of Rugby's attacking pressure, he now needs to improve his ball speed and distribution decisions.

Well done to all though, this was a very encouraging performance.

THN