Sports Report – 10th November
Hockey
1st XI
The 1st team travelled to the County U18s Indoor Competition on Thursday and played brilliantly in a very competitive tournament. In their first game they played some superb hockey and dominated a lot of the possession against Leicester Grammar. However, they lost 3 – 2. In their second game they came back from 3 – 1 down to draw 3 – 3 against a strong Uppingham side and in their last game they lost to the tournament winners Oakham 3 – 0. Well done to all girls on what was a very productive afternoon with some great hockey played.
The 1st team made it back to back wins on Saturday with a fine 1 – 0 win against a good Denstone side. The girls produced some of their best hockey all season during the game and were rewarded in the first-half when they took the lead when Aimee Cleminson’s shot was deflected into the goal. The second half was much closer and Ratcliffe had to dig in at times to stay ahead. Player of the Match, Nicole Spencer was outstanding in the centre of midfield and Mia Atkinson picked up Players’ Player of the Match.
2nd XI
The 2nd team put in a very resolute performance against a strong Denstone team with one of the most competitive 2nd team games I have seen in a long time. Unfortunately, in the first half the girls conceded the only goals of the game to lose 2 – 0, having said this they were always in the game having a number of chances to score. Sam Diaz deserves a special mention for going in goal at the last minute and all the girls received Player of the Match.
3rd XI
Ratcliffe College 3rd XI played superbly against Denstone College in a tough match. The girls worked hard to create plenty of opportunities but couldn’t quite find the back of the net, and ended up going in to the second half 2 – 0 down. The girls went back out after half-time with a positive approach but the Denstone defense and goalkeeper were strong and cleared the ball well. The full time score finished 3 – 0. Player of the Match was awarded to the whole team.
U15A
The U15 team dug deep to secure a 2 – 2 draw against a physical Denstone side. Ratcliffe started the brightest of the two teams and were 2 – 0 up going in to the half time, courtesy of Elise Atkinson and Annie Rose Reddin. The second half was a slightly different affair and Denstone put us on the back foot and scored early on. Ratcliffe soaked up much pressure, thanks to the excellent goal keeping of Players’ Player of the match Matilda Creegan, but Ratcliffe couldn’t prevent Denstone scoring one more. The girls had to battle hard to keep the threatening Denstone at bay, and should be pleased with the hard work and resilience shown to secure an excellent 2 – 2 draw.
U15/14B
This week the U15/14B team played against a strong Denstone U15B team. The girls unfortunately lost 2 – 0 in the match, though this was arguably the hardest opposition they have faced so far this season. The girls defended brilliantly and caused problems to Denstone through some fast-paced counter-attacks. Player of the Match goes to Jess Elton for her fantastic display in the centre of defence.
U14A
The U14 Hockey team had a tough match against Denstone College on Saturday losing 6 – 0. The girls showed excellent defence throughout and the score does not reflect how hard they worked. There were some great individual performances from Matilda Miles and Chelsea Makandeni throughout the game. Players’ Player was Olivia Chapman and Coaches’ Player was Amelia Haggis for continued effort and great defence throughout the match.
U13A
Despite the initial weather, the U13A team started brilliantly against Denstone College and after some great team play, they were 2 – 0 up within 15 minutes, thanks to two outstanding finishes by Zoe Howling. After half-time, it was an end-to-end game, with lots of chances for both sides. Despite another exceptional performance by Rosie Dickerson in goal, Denstone were able to score twice and the game ended 2 – 2. Special mentions must go to Zoe Howling for both goals and Georgie Daynes for some top skills in midfield, but Player of the Match goes to Maddie Whalley. Well done girls!
U12A
Midweek, the U12A team faced Leicester Grammar. The girls were a little thrown off by the physicality of the opposition and struggled in the first half. Although Molly Hunt and Olivia Monkhouse had some good chances the girls found it difficult to convert opportunities any into goals. Annabell Hull and Olivia Monkhouse managed to sneak two throughout the game but the opposition proved too strong with the final score 6 – 2 to Leicester Grammar. Olivia Monkhouse was awarded Player of the Match.
The girls also faced opposition from Denstone. In the first half we started off very offensively and created some fantastic chances. Molly Hunt’s deliveries into the D found Annabell Hull and Olivia Monkhouse numerous times, and both took two goals apiece. In the second half there was some fantastic defensive work from Millie Lake and Alice Bower, and the girls continued a strong attack. Olivia Monkhouse finished the game with a beautiful reverse stick finish making the final score 5 – 0 to Ratcliffe. Player of the Match was awarded to Alice Bower.
U12B
Mid-week the U12B team travelled to Leicester Grammar and unfortunately lost 1 – 0. in what was an excellent game, against arguably the toughest opposition we faced the girls were very unlucky to lose. Having plenty of chances, the opposition keeper was too good and we just couldn’t quite convert. Rather cruelly, Leicester Grammar scored in the dying seconds of the game, making the final score 1 – 0. Player of the Match was Isabella Westwood.
On Saturday, the girls faced Destone at home. Ratcliffe started the fixture very quickly on the front foot, displaying some excellent attacking prowess, with Maisie Collier proving to be a danger down the right wing. Fine finishing from both Isabella Westwood and Holly McNeeney meant we opened up an 8 – 0 lead at half-time.
Ratcliffe continued their fine performance into the second half, with the girls scoring a further four goals to finish the fixture as 12 – 0 victors. Isabella Westwood finished the game scoring seven goals, with Holly McNeeney scoring the other five goals.
Players’ Player goes to Isabella Westwood and Coaches’ Player to Holly McNeeney. All of the girls played fantastic and should be extremely proud of their performance!
Netball
U16
The U16’s played a friendly match against Hinckley Academy this week, showing great potential and hard work throughout. Each quarter a different combination was tried and a number of girls played out of position. Excellent shooting and defence meant the girls came away with a 22 – 18 win. A positive pre-season match ready for the Netball season.
U12
The under 12A netball team took on their first game of the season against Sir Jonathan North Community College. Ratcliffe started off with a fantastic first quarter forcing endless errors, turning over majority of possession, as well as accurate shooting to end the first quarter 6 – 0. The girls battled on throughout the entire game to end finish with an 18 – 10 win against Sir Jonathan North Community College. Coaches’ Player was given to Molly Hunt for her pin point feeds into the shooting circle and great composure on the ball.
Rugby
U16
On Thursday the U16s had a good run out against Lutterworth School. The boys played with great spirit to win 56 – 7. They scored some outstanding tries in the process that were shared out amongst the team. There was some excellent defensive work by Stan Chell, Archie Heaney and Connor Foster and particularly by Man of the Match Logan Moyes.
U14
On Tuesday, the U14s won the first round of the County Cup in a hard-fought game against Belvoir High. Belvoir had much of the territory and possession in the first half but Ratcliffe scored well taken tries through Phelton Tandoh and David Seidu. The half-time score was 14 – 5 to Ratcliffe. Ratcliffe played much better in the second half winning good quality ball at the breakdown and setting up a strong base to attack from. More excellent tries followed through Joe Atkinson and two more from the hard running Phelton Tandoh. Cameron Mulvihill kicked some excellent conversions to make the final score 31 – 10 to Ratcliffe who now progress to the next round. Men of the Match were Phelton Tandoh for his hat-trick of tries and Tyler Black for his excellent all-round game.
On Saturday, Ratcliffe played well scoring an early try through Phelton Tandoh. Joe Atkinson, with three, and Matt Heywood completed the try scoring in the first half, with Cameron Mulvihill converting three. Harry Gamble and Tobias Chilton played well for the opposition in the first half and deserve a mention. In the second half, Ratcliffe “lent” three players to Lutterworth – Phelton Tandoh, Tobias Nesbitt and Joe Atkinson – all three played well for the opposition, with Joe Atkinson scoring one of the oppositions tries. Cameron Mulvihill, in a Man of the Match performance scored a hat-trick of tries which he also converted. Mention also go to Harvey Henderson for an outrageous dummy and good handling skills. All in all, a good team effort in the second half with lots of passing and good forward support play. Final score was 59 – 19 to Ratcliffe.
U13
The U13s played out a very exciting match against Lutterworth on Saturday. It was a very evenly contested game with Lutterworth taking three tries to two to lead at half-time before Ratcliffe came storming back in the second half. Final score was four tries a piece so 20 all. Try scorers were Fin Spencer, Rocco Lanza, Riley Kirk and George Atkinson with Seb Welch named Man of the Match for his excellent all round game.
U12A
The U12A put in a second strong performance in three days against a physical Lutterworth side. Right from the start Ratcliffe looked to move the ball wide and reaped the rewards, setting up a number of tries for the outside backs (two for Ollie McGunnigle and four for Kim O’Sullivan). In response, Lutterworth used their size, with direct running from the forwards causing problems for the Ratcliffe defence. As the second half went on however, Ratcliffe’s attack became too fast for the Lutterworth defence, especially with the impact off the bench from Lucas Barker and Harrison Walker. With a last try at the death, Ratcliffe finished on top winning 50 – 10. Credit to Fin Martin and Xavier Illsley-Ridge for organising an effective attack, and Man of the Match goes to Ollie McGunnigle for his finishing.
U12B
On Monday, the U12B team had a convincing win against Lutterworth school. Lutterworth scored first but Ratcliffe came roaring back with Lucas Barker the star of the show scoring four tries with his elusive and powerful running. The half-time score was six tries to two to Ratcliffe. In the second half Ratcliffe pulled away with six more tries. Ernie Hoggard and Joe Marsden performed well in both attack and defence and Sam Leake and Charles Carpenter distributing the ball well in the midfield. Theo Pope and Tobias Hollington also ran strongly in the wider channels. Men of the Match were Ernie Hoggard and Lucas Barker for their excellent all-round performance.
Jenna Pole and Matthew Lindley
Sports Ambassadors
