Sports Report – 24th November

Hockey

It was a fantastic week of fixtures, with all teams either winning or drawing their respective matches.

1st XI

On Saturday, the 1st team beat Northampton High School 2 – 0. This was a comprehensive performance by the girls who dominated the possession from start to finish. Both goals were scored by Player of the Match, Jade England, who was always available on the right wing. The score line could have been much greater if it hadn’t been for some excellent saves by Northampton’s goalkeeper.

2nd XI

Midweek, the 2nd team beat a very spirited Oakham team 1 – 0. In an entertaining game Sarah Astill got the goal midway through the first half. Oakham did have a number of chances in the second half to equalise, but some excellent saves from Player of the Match, Ihu Osuji, kept them out.

U15A

The U15A team drew 1 – 1 against a strong Northampton High School team. Having travelled so far, Ratcliffe were a little slow to get started in the first half and ended up 1 – 0 down going in to the break, courtesy of a good short corner by the opposition team. However, we regrouped at half-time and went in to the second half full of determination and played some excellent hockey. We preceded to dominated the second half and Elise Atkinson had a great finish to make the score 1 – 1. We were unlucky not to score again, as we were camped in the opposition half for much of the second half. This was again another display of resilience and teamwork and the girls should be proud of their performance and grit. The whole team were awarded Players of the Match and Maddi Bryant was Players’ Player.

U15/14B

The penultimate game of the season for the Ratcliffe girls U15/14 B hockey team ended in a hard-fought 3 – 2 victory against Stamford. Ratcliffe created good chances throughout the match, causing problems for the Stamford defence. Players’ Player of the Match was awarded to Amelia Tebbutt, whilst Coaches’ Player goes to Lucy Tuttey for her dangerous attacking play in the left wing position. Well done girls on a fantastic result!

U13A

The U13A’s continued their great run of form with a 5 – 0 win over Northampton High School. The first half was hotly contested between the two teams, but after some great team play and some clinical finishing Ratcliffe entered half-time 2 – 0 up. Ratcliffe spent most of the second half in Northampton’s half of the pitch. After an abundance of chances, Ratcliffe scored another three goals to make it 5 – 0, and if it wasn’t for an outstanding performance by Northampton’s goalkeeper, then the score would have been considerably more. A special mention must go to Hollie Chapman for controlling the game and dominating the midfield. Player of the Match goes to Sophie Shield for some great attacking play, as well as top defensive work.

U13B

The U13B team played some excellent hockey against Northampton High School in an excellent 4 – 1 win. Ratcliffe started off with a fantastic first half forcing endless errors, turning over the

majority of possession, as well as some accurate shooting to end the half 2 – 0 ahead. The girls battled on throughout the game to end with a 4 – 1 win. All the girls worked tirelessly on and off the ball and the score line reflects their hard work. Player of the Match was given to Ruby Lord for her fantastic defensive skills in the final quarter and Coaches’ Player was given to Gizella Perrins for stepping in as goalkeeper. Although playing out of position, she made some fantastic saves.

U12A

The U12A team had a very exciting match against Northampton High school which eventually finished 3 – 3. The girls started off a little nervously and were immediately put on the back foot when Northampton scored a quick opening goal. Annabell Hull ensured that the lead didn’t last long and she managed to bury the ball in the net soon after, making the score 1 – 1 going in to half-time. In the second half, Northampton scored another good goal, however, Olivia Monkhouse answered straight away with a composed finish to make it 2 – 2 with 10 minutes to go. Northampton scored again but Ratcliffe showed great tenacity with Annabell Hull scoring her second goal making the final score 3 – 3. Player of the Match was awarded to Captain Olivia Monkhouse.

U12B

The U12B team faced a tough home fixture against Northampton High School and came away with another victory, winning 5 – 2. The game began evenly with both teams having opportunities to open the scoring in the early minutes of the fixture. Northampton were dominating possession, however a combination of excellent defending from Lydia Harris, Esha Karia, and Holly Page, coupled with three very well executed counter-attacks from Ratcliffe opened up a 3 – 0 lead. Northampton’s possession did pay-off however, with them pulling a goal back to leave the score 3 – 1 at half-time. Ratcliffe improved their performance in the second-half and played out a very tightly contested game. Second half goals from Isabella Westwood and Holly McNeeney ensured that Ratcliffe finished the game as 5 – 2 victors. Players’ Player goes to both Lydia Haggis and Arabella Wilson. Coaches’ Player goes to Lydia Haggis for her composed defensive performance. All of the girls played brilliantly, and should be proud of their performance against a very strong Northampton High School team.

Cross-Country

Congratulations to Mia Atkinson (Year 12) who had a great race at the English Athletics Cross Country Challenge in Liverpool. In a strong field of 190 runners Mia came in 8th position in the U17 category running a PB of 15.52 over the tough 4.4km course.

Netball

The Year 7 Netball team won 22 – 2 in the semi-final of the Team Leicester Schools’ competition against South Wigston High School. The girls played well in some cold and wet conditions. They worked the ball down the court well and almost every opportunity was converted into goal. Player of the Match was awarded to Annabelle Hull and Coaches’ Player of the match was to Sophie Bardsley for great shooting accuracy. They are now through to the Final on the 6th December.

Rugby

1st XV

On Thursday, the 1st XV lost 29 – 17 to a big and physical Robert Smyth Academy team in the County Cup. The result was disappointing as the team started well scoring the first try but Robert Smyth then came back strongly and scored four tries without reply. Despite a Ratcliffe comeback with two tries of their own the opposition scored again to take the game out of reach. Man of the Match was Joe Stamp.

U15

The U15 team returned to form after the disappointment of last week, scoring in less than 30 seconds through Captain Louis Westwood and they continued to dominate for the rest of the match. The forwards controlled much of the play in the first half whilst the backs took over in the second half with further tries from Xabier Zanotti-Baranano, Dan McGunnigle and Guy Heywood’s second. Xabier was Man of the Match for his outstanding running lines in attack. Final score was 50 – 0 to Ratcliffe.

U14

Ratcliffe enjoyed a good team win against Carres Grammar wining 45 – 10. Carres opened the scoring with a well worked try down the left hand side – this woke Ratcliffe up and Phelton Tandoh, outstanding in both attack and in defence, scored the first try. Cameron Mulvihill converted the first of five conversions through the match. David Seidu was outstanding in attack, bagging four tries. He was joined in the scoring by Samson Kwok and Wilf Milner who scored a long range solo try and a had a fine game, out of position, at scrum half. The whole team played well and structured their attacks and defence properly throughout the game. Special mention needs to go to Matt Heywood, who volunteered to play for the opposition, set up a try for them (whilst playing at fly half) and was praised by the opposition coach for his enthusiasm and leadership. Men-of-the-Match: Matt Heywood, David Seidu and Phelton Tandoh.

U13

The U13s bounced back from a tough loss last week with an excellent win against Carres Grammar on Saturday. There was some good link play between forwards and backs and some excellent individual play. Try scorers were Riley and Kai Kirk, Fin Spencer, Vincent McKeefery, Lucas Kariolis, Charlie Grayson and Seb Welch. The final score was 35 – 20 to Ratcliffe with Fin Spencer, Charlie Grayson and Kai Kirk picking up Man of the Match awards.

U12

The U12s bounced back after last week’s defeat with a convincing attacking performance against Carres. Right from the kick off Ratcliffe created pressure, scoring two early tries. In the second half Ratcliffe started to move the ball more effectively rather than relying on individual runners, which resulted in some well worked team tries for Ayo Abiodun and Michael Joy. Men of the Match goes to Fin Martin and Kim O’Sullivan for their distribution and control in the midfield. Final score was 50 – 0 to Ratcliffe.

Jenna Pole and Matthew Lindley
Sports Ambassadors