Sports Report – 29th October
1st XI
Ratcliffe played in the newly formed England Hockey National Schools Cup against a strong Wellingborough side and unfortunately lost 6 – 2. However, the score line does not reflect the true picture of the game. Wellingborough started strongly and caught Ratcliffe cold in the first 20 minutes, racing into a 3 – 0 lead. From this point on, Ratcliffe dug in and got a foot hold in the game and pulled one back through Dani Hendry just before half-time; after some great work from Aimee Cleminson. Ratcliffe started the second half well and were rewarded when Captain Molly Edwards pulled another one back midway through the half. With seven minutes to go Ratcliffe threw caution to the wind and went for the equaliser but unfortunately got picked off three times on the break before the final whistle. Despite the result this was a fantastic team display and there has been some great progress made in the last few games. Ratcliffe will now be entered into the plate competition.
U13A
The U13A team came up against Nottingham High School in round two of the National Cup. The girls started the first half slowly and it took a bit of time before they started to play their usual high-quality fluid hockey. Despite this, they still entered half-time 2 – 1 up. The team played very well in the second half. Their movement off the ball and quality of passing allowed them to dominate the game and the game finished 8 – 1 to Ratcliffe. Special mention must go to Rosie Dickerson, as her brilliant concentration led to her making some great saves. Player of the Match was Maddie Whalley.
U12A
The U12A team played an exciting and closely contested game against Oundle. The girls started off strongly showing Oundle that they meant business, however, no goals were score in the first half. The second half was where all the action happened. Annabell Hull, started the scoring with a lovely strike putting Ratcliffe 1 – 0 up. Oundle then suddenly switched on and scored three goals in a short space of time really putting the pressure on the girls. Captain, Olivia Monkhouse answered to this by scoring not one, but three goals making the score 4 – 3 to Ratcliffe. Oundle fought hard and managed to sneak an equaliser making the final score 4 – 4. The whole team played some fantastic hockey and should be extremely proud of their performance. Player of the Match was awarded to Annabel Hull.
U12B
On Monday, the U12B team played an away fixture against Oundle School, winning 4 – 0, thanks to a very dominant team performance from the girls. Players’ Player of the Match, Hattie Walne scored two of the four goals, capping off an impressive attacking display. At the other end of the pitch, Coaches’ Player of the Match Lydia Haggis helped maintain the clean sheet for the team with a commanding defensive showing. All the girls should be very proud of their performance against a strong Oundle team, well done girls!
U12C
On Monday, the U12C team travelled to Oundle and were very excited for their first match. The match started quickly with Oundle scoring the first goal in the first five minutes. However, as the game went on Ratcliffe started to pick out gaps and were working hard to create an opportunity for a goal. In the second half Ratcliffe maintained a lot of possession, but couldn’t quite find the finishing touch and the game ended 1 – 0 to Oundle. Players’ Player was Hattie Ashford Clark and Coaches Player was Isobel Urwin.
Rugby
U14
On Tuesday, the U14s showed dynamic skills, speed and flair to be 45 – 5 ahead at half-time against Hill House. Tries were scored by Joe Atkinson, Marcus Wigwee, Man of the Match Samson Kwok, Phelton Tandoh with two and David Seidu with a hat-trick. The second half was a much more even affair with Ratcliffe making a number of changes and giving some of the B players a run out in the A team. The final score was 50 – 10 to Ratcliffe.
U12A
In quite possibly the best game of U12 rugby so far this season, the under 12As matched up against a well organised Oundle side. In spite of an early try for Ollie smith, Oundle showed their defensive prowess and effective offloading right from the off, which forced Ratcliffe to move the ball to the wide channels and be wary in defence. The result could have gone either way, each side trading blows, but neither managing any meaningful lead until Oundle scored a late interception, which unfortunately cost Ratcliffe the game. Men of the Match were Jonah walker for his direct running and Finlay Martin for his distribution. Final score was 30 – 25 to Oundle.
U12B
On Monday, the U12B team played Oundle in an entertaining and keenly contested affair. The score was five tries a piece going into the last five minutes with good tries by Ernie Hoggard and two each from Harrison Walker and George Leite. Ratcliffe pulled away in the last few minutes with an excellent individual try from Theo Pope and two from Josh Phillips. The final score was 40 – 25 to Ratcliffe with Charles Carpenter nominated for Man of the Match by the opposition for his excellent all-round game.
Sports Tour to Gloucestershire
On Friday the 12th October, the U14 and U15 girls’ hockey and boys’ rugby tour departed for a mid-season tour to Gloucester.
The girls started strongly on the Friday afternoon as the U14 team had a convincing 5 – 0 win but the U15 team unfortunately lost 1 – 0 in a game they dominated. Player of the Match for the U15 team was Amy Mason and Player of the Match for the U14 team was Amelia Tebbutt. Goal scorers were Amelia Tebbutt with two, Tilly Miles, Frances Daly and Chelsea Makandeni.
On Friday evening under floodlights the U14 rugby team played out a very intense, tough game against Stow-on-the-Wolds Rugby Club. In an excellent game Ratcliife scored two good tries through Phelton Tandoh and then scored again through a superb solo effort by David Seidu
with five minutes to go to take the lead, only for defeat to be snatched from the jaws of victory when Stow came back to score with the last play of the game and win the match 22 – 19. Phelton Tandoh was Man of the Match for his excellent all-round game.
The U15 team lost 31 –12 in tough conditions against a very big and physical side. Stow lead for the whole of the match, however, there were signs of a comeback from Ratcliffe’s Man of the Match Ollie Howard with two tries, one of which was a superb individual try. However, Stowe pulled away in the final ten minutes of the game.
On Saturday, the girls and the boys had a fun-filled day, beginning with a trip to Bristol Zoo which everyone really enjoyed. Following this they then went to watch the European Challenge Rugby Union game between Bristol Bears and Zebre. Whilst at the game the students got opportunity to meet Bristol Bears players Chris Vui and Jack Tovey as well as a tour of the pitch and the chance to be flag bearers as the players came onto the pitch. In the evening we went ten pin bowling; Annie-Rose Reddin and Wilson Lee top scored with scores of 140 and 144 respectively.
On Sunday, both the boys and girls had their final fixtures of the tour. The girls came up against two strong sides from Cheltenham Hockey Club. The girls fought hard but unfortunately lost both games. Player of the Match for the U15 team was Holly Clark-Pratt and Player of the Match for the U14 team was Frances Daly.
The U14 boys’ rugby team played their second and last tour game against Old Bristolians. The tough match on the Friday had taken its toll and the team lacked intensity in their play and lost 35 – 15 in a game they could have won. Try scores were Phelton Tandoh, David Seidu and Cameron Mulvihill. Man of the Match goes to Matt Haywood for his leadership. The U15 team played an exciting and close game, with two equally balanced teams. The score was poised at 7 – 7 for the majority of the match with great attacking play from Ratcliffe, who were unfortunate not to score again, with the opposition scoring on the break to finish with the final score 12 – 7 to Old Bristolians. Man of the Match was tackling machine Sam Moss. Try scorer was Louis Westwood and Ollie Howard with the conversion.
This is the first year the tour has been run for Years 9 and 10 and both the girls and boys should be very proud of how well they played and represented the College on and off the pitch. Well done to all on what has been a very successful tour.
Triathlon
Congratulations to Eleanor Taylor (Year 9) who raced in the East Midlands Junior Triathlon Series and came 4th overall this was after eight races covering three different race formats (Swim/Run, Run/Bike/Run, Swim/Bike/Run) including one national race at Eton Dorney. She has been successful in earning a place on the East Midlands Triathlon Development Squad and in 2019 she will be racing for the East Midlands at five National and two International races as well as the eight regional races. We wish her all the best in these races.
Jenna Pole and Matthew Lindley
Sports Ambassadors
