Sports

The 1st VII Boys’ team performed brilliantly at the IAPS National U13 Hockey Championship on 6 March. Having qualified through the East Region, the 1st VII made the journey to Cheltenham College for the National Finals. Assistant Director of Sport, Mr David Millward, explained, "Fully aware that the standard at these tournaments is extremely high, the boys arrived with a very positive mindset. The team realsied that the roller-coaster of tournament hockey would surely require a great deal of perseverance and collaboration throughout the day."

The team played incredibly well throughout the morning to secure second place in the group. Results were as follows: 0-0 vs Bedford School (0-0), 2-0 vs Dragon School (2-0), Ardingly College (0-0), Junior King's School (1-1) and St Andrew's Prep School (1-0)​.

As a result the Cup stage of the tournament beckoned and this was a chance to highlight the hockey skills the boys had been working hard on all season. Felsted were the opponents in the Quarter Finals and the quality of hockey from both sides did not disappoint. Despite numerous chances at either end, the teams could not be split in full time and they entered a period of Golden Goal extra time. One of our youngest players in Fifth Form made two unbelievable saves to keep the team in the contest as the spectators were treated to a thrilling end to end battle. In the end, the match was decided by penalty strokes and Felsted won 3-2.

Mr Millward remarked, "After the initial disappointment, the boys realised how well they had done and were enthusiastically discussing whether ‘joint fifth in the country’ or ‘top eight in the country’ sounded better! A huge thank you to the travelling support who could be heard experiencing every moment throughout the day."

The U11 boys performed brilliantly in very wet and cold conditions at Haileybury School for the IAPS Regional round. Head of Sport, Mr McComb, explained, "We got the tournament off to a flier with two quick goals straight off the whistle in the first game winning 3-1 against Winchester House. We then beat Chigwell Junior 2-1 and drew our third group game 0-0 with New Mount. After lunch we entered the Cup Competition and faced Aldwickbury in the Quarter Finals. A very tight game saw us 1-1 at full time which went straight to 3 penalty flicks each and we won 2-0 on flicks."

Next up was Gayhurst in the Semi-Final which got off to a cracking goal from one of the SJCS U11s with the boys ended up winning 4-0. They took on St George’s Junior in the Final and lost 4-0 to a team that had not conceded a goal all tournament.  Mr McComb commented, "The boys were played an impressive standard of hockey throughout the day and kept their concentration and motivation, despite the inclement weather conditions." The U11s have now  qualified to compete in the National Finals on the 18 March at Rugby School.

Fresh from their win earlier in the term when they were crowned County champions, the U13 Boys' 1st team successfully competed in the IAPS Regionals on 20 February and secured their place in the National Finals on 6 March at Cheltenham College. Assistant Director of Sport, Mr David Millward, commented, "The boys travelled to Bedford School with high spirits and plenty of optimism and were ready to work as a tight team. The weather forecast predicted that it was going to rain all day but this certainly didn't dampen the boys' levels of motivation."

The team started well against Old Buckenham Hall and Witham Hall, winning both games 1-0. A narrow defeat to Bedford Prep, the eventual runners-up and a 1-1 draw with Bilton Grange and an emphatic 3-1 win against Town Close House left the team second in their group. This position secured the team's entry into the afternoon's Cup Competition. The Quarter Final proved to be tough but six teams were able to qualify for the National Finals and the boys' following play-off match against Winchester House was essentially a final in itself. A win meant a place in the National Finals and a loss meant going home early. It took a period of Golden Goal extra time before one of the boys skilfully squeezed the ball across the line.

The day was rounded off with a win on penalty strokes against Westbourne House School which left the team finishing proudly in fifth with their place secured for the Nationals. Mr Millward commented, "It is a fantastic result for the boys to get through such a hard-fought tournament and a great experience for all of them."

House matches for any sport are a real highlight in the school’s sporting calendar and yesterday's Senior Boys' House hockey matches were no exception. Assistant Director of Sport, Mr David Millward, explained, "Traditionally speaking they are the earliest form of school competition and often deliver very passionate and determined performances with children working together as a cohesive team."

This term the senior boys' House hockey matches were 10 minutes one way and consisted of an A and B tournament. With two teams therefore representing each House, every boy played their part and there was plenty of peer support from the sidelines. Inevitably, the Houses who worked best together and in particular utilised their strengths were able to succeed with scores in goals. Mr Millward enthused, "With such short matches it was crucial that teams capitalised on goal scoring opportunities. Throughout the afternoon it was great to see the more experienced players encouraging and supporting their teammates. Each House left nothing out there in terms of effort and the sporting camaraderie was clear to see as the results we read out!"

The A Tournament results:1^st – Fisher, 2^nd - Beaufort, 3^rd - Sandys​ and 4^th – Gunning. The B Tournament results: 1^st – Gunning, 2^nd - Beaufort, 3^rd - Sandys​ and 4^th – Fisher.

The U13 1st VII boys’ hockey team were crowned County champions on 29 January 2020 after taking part in the Cambridgeshire County Hockey Tournament at Wilberforce road. The team have now qualified for the Regional round, due to take place on 12 March.

The 1st VII have presented great promise since the start of the hockey season and, in such a short period of time, have shown commitment as a team in all their training sessions. Their focus has been to develop shape and tactical understanding in order to enable them to utilise their skills more effectively during match play. Their hard work came together at the County Tournament as they looked purposeful alongside the other nine entered teams. The captain led from the front throughout and scored a well-taken goal to beat the Perse Upper 1-0 in a crucial opening game. The goals flowed in the other group matches against Kimbolton and Joyce Frankland Academy, leaving the boys top of their group.

The team showed great maturity as they rotated on and off the pitch, ensuring their legs remained fresh, with the ten minutes each way matches. A 0-0 draw against St Faith’s and a 4-0 win against the Stephen Perse Foundation left the boys top on goal difference, having not conceded a goal all day.

As County Champions, the boys have now qualified for the Regional Round, due to take place on Thursday 12 March. There is no doubt that in Assistant Director of Sport, Mr David Millward’s first tournament with St John’s, he was exceptionally impressed, commenting on how well the boys had acquitted themselves throughout the day, “They believed in themselves from the outset, played good looking hockey throughout and remained tough when they needed to. They will be motivated to train even harder in the build-up to the Regionals.”