The Grange Sports Newsletter - March 2013
The football teams have been very busy this term and with A, B, C and D teams turning out across the age groups; this has ensured that over half the school have represented a team. Of the 58 matches played this term The Grange has won 28 drawn 12 and lost 18.
Grange Football Tournament
The annual Grange Football Tournament, now in its seventeenth year, was played out in cold but thankfully dry conditions on the school asto turf. Twelve teams were initially split into four groups with the top two teams in each progressing to the cup and the other contesting the plate. After several exciting matches The Grange and Kymin View made it to the cup final. Kymin View took an early lead and then doubled it very soon afterwards. The Grange hit back, only for Kymin View to increase their lead. With time running out the hosts launched a series of frantic attacks. They were eventually rewarded with a goal to reduce the deficit. However, time was against them as the final whistle blew to confirm Kymin View as deserving winners of the cup for 2013.
Cup Plate Bowl
Winners: Kymin View Pentrepeoth Overmonnow
Runner up: The Grange A The Grange D Osbaston
Independent Schools Football Tournament
The U11 team travelled to Taunton on a bitterly cold Sunday to play in the regional finals of the ISFA tournament. After a tough round of group matches the team faced Wycliffe College in the quarter final. Despite a valiant attempt, a combination of excellent finishing by their opponents and fatigue from The Grange saw them bow out of the tournament. Despite the loss the boys learned much about the unforgiving nature of tournament play.
Tockington Manor Cross Country
The Grange sent three teams to the annual cross country event at Tockington Manor School. The race is run as a relay with four team members each running 765m. The U9 team of Oscar, Edward, Samuel and Joshua ran very well and finished 4th from a field of 14. The U11 team containing Zu, Joseph H, Joshua M and Ieuan performed excellently in securing a 3rd place finish. The U11B team of James, Che, Alistair and High also ran with great credit, finishing 6th of the 16 teams.
National Prep School Cross Country
The Grange sent a team of five runners to the National Prep School Cross Country Championships at Malvern College. The event attracted a field of over 240 runners from all parts of Britain. Well done to Joseph (PIV), Zu (PIV), James (PIV) Che (PIII) and Joshua (PIV) for all completing the gruelling 2600m course. Many thanks to all the friends and family who came to support the boys and to Mr Mark Harrison for his management of the team on the day.
House Cross Country
A large crowd gathered on the Sports Pavilion balcony to witness this year’s House Cross Country competition. Once again, supporters were treated to some thrilling races from the boys and delicious cakes and drinks courtesy of the F.R.O.G.S.
Nelson lifted the House Cup. The form races were won by:
Prep I Oscar (Nelson)
Prep II Edward (Grenville)
Prep III Joshua (Nelson)
Prep IV Zu (Raleigh)
Congratulations to all the boys who completed the course.
House Matches
Prep I & II House Football
The Prep I House football was a closely contested event with all teams performing admirable in bitterly cold conditions. Spectators were warmed with tea and coffee on the side lines as the boys displayed great enthusiasm and a strong competitive spirit on the pitches. The matches showed a wide range of playing styles and brought plenty of goal mouth action for all to enjoy. Following tightly contested games in the group stages Grenville and Nelson were left to play for the title with Raleigh and Drake in the playoff for third and fourth place. With the score at nil-nil late in the final Grenville took their chance and buried the ball in the bottom corner leaving Nelson with no time for a comeback. In the playoff it was a higher scoring affair with Raleigh holding off Drake’s last ditch attempts to send the game to extra time.
1. Grenville 10pts
2. Nelson 8pts
3. Raleigh 6pts
4. Drake 4pts
The Prep II event started at a frantic pace, with goals in the first games within seconds of kick off. Both Drake and Grenville were showing a ruthless approach in front of goal and Nelson and Raleigh were defending steadfastly and counter attacking swiftly. The out and out attacking styles of Grenville and Drake led to them meeting in the final and this time it was Nelson to take on Raleigh in the playoff. Grenville took an early lead in the final and despite several chances Drake was unable to cut the deficit. In the playoff Raleigh also took an early lead which they doubled soon after. Nelson struck back but Raleigh managed to hold out until the final whistle.
1. Grenville 10pts
2. Drake 8pts
3. Raleigh 6pts
4. Nelson 4pts
Prep III & PIV House football
The cold weather theme continued for the PIII & PIV competition. In the A team tournament many of the games were closely contested and it was Grenville and Raleigh who eventually made it to the final. Raleigh took the lead but Grenville defended stubbornly and hit back to send the match into extra time and then sudden death penalties. Grenville gained revenge for an earlier defeat by Raleigh as they converted their penalty and Raleigh missed. The B team competition saw the same two houses contest the final. Raleigh gained some consolation as they emerged comfortable winners.
When all the points were added together from all the House football tournaments the final standings were:
1. Grenville 40pts
2. Raleigh 28pts
3. Drake 24pts
4. Nelson 20pts
House Rugby PI & PII
The Prep I and II inter-House rugby teams fought hard in all the games with closely fought final matches in the cold, wet, muddy weather. The Prep I final between Grenville and Nelson ended with Grenville scoring the deciding try in the final seconds of the game. Grenville also took the title in the Prep II final against Drake with a score of 6-5.
Overall standings:
Prep I Prep II Prep III & IV
1. Grenville 10pts Grenville 10pts Raleigh 20pts
2. Nelson 8pts Drake 8pts Nelson 16pts
3. Drake 6pts Raleigh 6pts Drake 12pts
4. Raleigh 4pts Nelson 4pts Grenville 8pts
When added to the PIII and PIV competition that took place earlier in the year. The overall House rugby standings are:
1. Raleigh 30pts
2=Nelson 28pts
2=Grenville 28pts
4. Drake 26pts
Thanks must go to all of the boys for their excellent performances and sporting approach and to parents and spectators for helping to make all the House events such a success.
Important News!
Rugby Shirts
The senior rugby shirts for boys going into Prep III and Prep IV will be available to order from the school shop at the start of the Summer Term and will be ready for collection at the start of the Michaelmas Term. These shirts are blue with gold hoops and will have the boy’s name printed on the reverse. Please visit the school shop and place your order as soon as possible. The order cannot be processed until all boys have ordered their shirts.
Cricket
The Summer Term will see all the boys playing cricket in their Games lessons. For this they will need to wear cricket whites or their school white polo shirt, white shorts, white socks and trainers. In order to protect themselves from the eagerly anticipated sun the boys may wear the black school cricket cap or a white cricket sun hat. No baseball caps please. You may need to provide your son with sun cream. The boys may also wear sunglasses provided they are of the sporting shatterproof design. All items of cricket wear are available from the school shop. All necessary equipment is provided by the school. If you have any further queries concerning cricket equipment or indeed any aspect of the sporting life of the school please contact Mr Morris.
Activity changes
Both PIII and PIV classes will swim in the first half of term, in order to prepare for the House Swimming Gala.
PI and PII will play tennis in their P.E. lessons.
All classes will play cricket in their games lessons.
HAPPY EASTER!!