On Friday 28th February, the boys arrived at Caterham School in the midst of storm Jorge, the AstroTurf was in perfect condition and with Piers W kitted up for an afternoon of goal keeping the team were ready to perform. Due to the conditions, Mr Williams and fellow coaches met and the decision was made to amend the 6 a-side to a 7 a-side. This turned out to be a great decision and the level of Hockey across all three pitches was excellent throughout the afternoon.
Rokeby set up against the home side Caterham Prep in the first fixture. The tactic of a 3-1-2 was selected and Rokeby started strong playing the entire half in Caterham territory. This dominating start slowly faded and Caterham began to control the game, a harsh decision against Rokeby for ball hitting foot led to a penalty shuffle for Caterham which was accurately dispatched and the game finishing 1-0 Caterham.
The team gathered together and changed pitches to face Homefield, with a lightening quick start Homefield hit the ball across the pitch and scored early. The Rokeby response was led by Connor W who began to pull the strings from the midfield, scoring with a fantastic reverse sweep shot. Connor’s performance inspired the team and provided Benbecula K the opportunity to score his brace and show his fast stick skills. Final score 1 – 3 Rokeby.
So far a win and a loss and the players lined up against a confident looking Shrewsbury House side. Thomas P gathered his teammates and the game started with both teams keeping the opposing keepers busy. Kit W stepped up in the heart of the defence and brother Piers made excellent saves dominating the D. A well-deserved goal for Shrewsbury House just before half time set the game up for an exciting second half. Connor continued his good form and with time running out scored from a rebound deflecting from the Shrewsbury House keeper. Final score 1-1.
The weather conditions started to make an impact, the continuing wind and rain was draining the energy across all pitches. Following the high intensity Shrewsbury House match, Rokeby needed to rally and create another big performance to get a result against Cranmore who had won all of their matches so far. James T and Ayan P were both up for this challenge, attacking into space and tracking back when defending. The hard worked paid off with James scoring with a clever finish into the corner of the Cranmore goal. Cranmore responded quickly with an equaliser. The game had a dramatic ending with the final whistle blowing as a Cranmore shot trickled into the goal, fortunate timing for Rokeby and the game finished 1-1.
Aldro were the last opposition of the afternoon and following two highly competitive fixtures the usual pace Rokeby had shown in previous matches began to slow. Matteo B controlled the midfield winning the ball and pacing accurately to teammates but Aldro refused to be concede. The Rokeby defence stood firm until a well-placed shot squeezed past Piers and into the Rokeby goal. Final score 0-1 Aldro.
A brilliant afternoon in Hockey in more than challenging conditions concluded with Rokeby finishing in 3rd place. Interestingly Rokeby were the only team to get a point off Cranmore who were the eventual winners.
Team:
- Alfred B
- Matteo B
- Benbecula K
- Kit W
- Piers W
- Thomas P
- Connor W
- Ayan P
- James T