Michaelmas Term ends on a high!

In the last week of the Michaelmas Term, The Cross contended for two junior football trophies, showing the depth of talent in A and B Block.

Having finished fourth in the league phase of the Junior League competition, The Cross played School House, who had topped the group, in a tense Semi-Final on the penultimate Tuesday of term. Twice behind in the match, Michael Porter scored a brace to enforce a penalty shoot out. With Ryan Cheng saving two School House spot kicks, it was fittingly left to skipper, Calvin Thiara to blast home the decisive blow. However, in the final, against a very strong Priory side, we never quite managed to assert ourselves. Nevertheless, in arguably the goal of the game, Daniel Walker managed to gain a consolation. As you can see from the photo taken at the end of the game, the boys thoroughly enjoyed their exploits and we are proud that they exceeded our expectations to reach this final.

In the Junior House Match final against New House, The Cross dominated the game from the outset. In appalling conditions, including a hail storm at one point, The Cross played some outstanding football, with every player looking comfortable and composed upon the ball. Goalkeeper, Lewis Jones had little to do whilst his team mates worked goal-scoring openings down the other end of the pitch. Charlie Cohen (3), James Nijjar (2), Simon Litvinenko (1) and Jack Bywater (1) finished off their chances with style, proving a 7-0 scoreline that reflected the dominance of possession enjoyed by The Cross. It was a proud moment in Lists on Friday when captain, Joel Atkin collected the trophy in front of the whole school from Mrs Tennant. After several near misses over the last four years, at last The Cross had won the Junior House Match Football trophy!

In other footballing news, we would like to congratulate Joel Atkin on being signed by Derby County following the successful completion of his trial period. Lewis Jones is currently part-way through his own trial at Derby and we hope that he will receive some good news in the New Year.

Congratulations also to Joe Mansfield, who has been selected to represent ISFA's U18 side. Joe will be joining up with the squad over the Christmas break to play competitive fixtures. Also meeting up with their respective ISFA age groups, Joel Atkin, Jack Bywater and Theo Brierley will be playing games against Leicester City and Crewe on the weekend before Christmas. We wish these boys all the best as they compete at national level and look forward to seeing them in action for Repton in the County Cup (1st XI) and ISFA cup semi-final (U15A) in the Lent Term.