Sports Report – 10th March

Netball 

1^st   / 2^nd

A mixed 1^st and 2^nd team had a convincing 46 – 13 win over Nottingham High School. Players rotated positions and time off the court but shooters Kate Tyszka, Isobel Hose and Ellie Hollinshead played with great accuracy. Player of the Match was Olivia Back.

Girls Hockey 

U13A

On Friday, the U13 girls’ hockey team travelled to Oakham for their County Tournament. The first match was against Welland Park school. The girls went 1 – 0 up early on thanks to Tallulah Wood, however, the opposition equalised to make it 1 – 1 at half-time. In the second half Tallulah Wood once again found the back of the net making the overall score 2 – 1 to Ratcliffe.  The next game was against a strong Loughborough High school side. Although the girls fought hard, and produced some excellent runs they lost 4 – 0. In the semi-final the girls battled with bad weather conditions and a very physical side losing to Oakham. Player of the Tournament was Tallulah Wood

U12A

On Tuesday, the U12 girl’s hockey team put in a great performance in their county tournament, finishing third.  There were some very good teams playing and the standard of hockey was one of the highest I have seen.  In the group stages the girls won one and lost one to go through to the semi-final, where they faced Oakham. In a game we really should of won, Ratcliffe lost 2-1. Player of the Tournament goes to the whole team who worked hard throughout. Special mention must also go Jesse Bardsley who was fantastic in goal.

Equestrian

The Ratcliffe Equestrian team represent the school in NSEA competitions. This year we are hoping to have teams competing in arena eventing, dressage and show-jumping. The main dates and events are as follows:

• Arena eventing competition at Epworth on March 11th
• County show-jumping qualifier at Arena UK on March 26th
• National championships qualifiers in dressage and show jumping at Arena UK on June 17th

We currently have members competing in jumping classes from 70cm – 1.10, and dressage from prelim to novice. There are also grass-roots competitions which are smaller. The team are friendly and supportive, and the more members we have the better. We have qualified individuals and/or teams for county and national champs this year and last year, but there is no pressure to do anything other than have fun, and you can choose which comps and levels you want to do. For further information, please contact sarah.freeman@nottingham.ac.uk., have a look at the NSEA website https://www.nsea.org.uk/ or ask your son or daughter to talk to Jade England, Year 11.

Olivia Back
Sports Ambassador  

Rugby

U12

The U12As put in a brave effort in the Rugby County Festival on Thursday whilst coming up against some very tough opponents. As always, the boys gave it their absolute all and left everything out on the field. With a few minor injuries occurring some players had to play out of position but coped well with the disruption. After a very tough first match the team improved significantly and put in some huge tackles against some of the biggest and fastest players they’ve come across this season. Special mentions go to Seb Welch, Finley Spencer, Riley Kirk and Kai Kirk for their strong tackling. The handling skills, particularly from Fin Spencer and Oscar Webster were well timed and accurate. Player of the Tournament goes to Vincent McKeefery for his fantastic work rate, hard running and strong tackling throughout.

1^st XV

The 1st XV overcame a 7 – 29 deficit, with only 30 minutes of the game remaining, to win 35-29 in a dramatic finish to the game. Ratcliffe were perhaps understandably slow to start with the lack of match practice very obvious, but gradually grew into the game exerting more and more control as the game progressed. Man of the Match Harry Brooks, who scored three tries, led the way, ably supported by the rest of his pack, whilst the three quarters kept the strong visitors back line in check. Matthew Ward and Jon Summerville scored one try each and the game came down to goal kicking with George Morgan-Jones converting all of the tries for a personal 10 points tally.

Boys Hockey

U15

Unfortunately, on Tuesday afternoon the U15A lost their first game of the season away against a very strong Queen Elizabeth Grammar School (QEGS Wakefield) team. The boys went 1 – 0 down due to a very lucky deflection from a QEGS stick after the ball was crashed into the D. The boys however responded well to this with some great link up play between Harry Cusack, Stan Chell and Archie Heaney down the left hand side of the pitch. However, the team failed to convert their attacking dominance into a goal. Again the home side managed to score against the run of play putting us 2 – 0 down before half-time. Out of the blocks Ratcliffe came with phenomenal play whilst on the ball going forwards, but again failing to capitalise on the amount of entries made into the opposition D. The boys work rate, as per usual was second to none and the commitment they showed on the pitch did them all proud. However, Player of the Match this week went to Fin Back for his fantastic work rate and composure on the ball all over the pitch.

U13A

The Under 13’s qualified for the Regional stage of the National In2 Hockey competition on Friday. The boys were very slow at the start of the tournament and this could have cost them dearly as they slipped to a 2 – 0 defeat to Oakham. In an even game, Oakham simply took their chances better than Ratcliffe. However, the team came back very strongly, with the entire squad contributing significantly, to beat Leicester Grammar school 10 – 0 and Loughborough Grammar school 4 – 1. to secure the runners up spot.

U12A

On Tuesday, the U12s set out on their quest to retain the U12 County Hockey title. Things started well with an excellent performance in a 4 – 0 win against Leicester Grammar. Riley Kirk was outstanding in scoring a hat-trick and Finlay Spencer scored the other. The next match was a much tougher affair against a very well drilled Oakham team. Ratcliffe had their chances but couldn’t convert, whilst Oakham were clinical in front of goal despite some excellent saves by Henry King. The final score was 3 – 0 to Oakham. This meant that Ratcliffe finished second in the group and came up against old adversaries Loughborough Grammar in the semi-final. Loughborough scored early before a good Ratcliffe fight back with goals from Harry Cregeen with two and Seb Welch, securing a 3 – 1 victory and a place in the final. The final was against Oakham again who played some superb hockey and Ratcliffe were not able to lift their game to the level required and lost the final 5 – 0. Despite the loss, the second place tournament finish has secured us a place in the Regional Midlands finals that will take place on Wednesday 18th April (details to follow). Well done to all the boys on their excellent efforts throughout and especially to Riley Kirk and Finlay Spencer who were the Ratcliffe Players of the Tournament.

Harry Heaney
Sports Ambassador