Farleigh Sports Roundup & IAPS News

What a tremendous sight it has been in the first few weeks of term, looking over the astro, netball courts and sports fields to a sea of colour, as a full fixture programme in boys' football, girls' hockey and netball has resumed.

All children from Years 3-8 will have experienced the joy of competitive sport again, felt the uplift of spectators supporting them, and had a match tea with their opposition after a fixture. These few weeks have shown the absolute delight of the children, staff and parents to see a return to these fixtures and the importance they have to the daily life of the school, following a difficult 18 months. Within the first four weeks of term we have played 126 fixtures, with a 52%-win percentage across all the teams.

Last weekend, the boys’ 1st team football played in the IAPS regional at Moulsford. They played some excellent football and were unbeaten in the group stages after five matches. They progressed to the cup quarter-finals, in which a late wonder strike by Lambrook from 30 yards out was enough to knock the team out of the competition. Unfortunately, the boys therefore miss out on the opportunity to go to the Nationals later in the term. They were understandably disappointed but should be commended for their efforts and I am very proud of them.

Alan Wright, Director of Sport

The girls' 1st team hockey also took part in an IAPS regional tournament. Hosted by King's Bruton, the girls got off to a good start, beating Hazlegrove 2-0. They then played Clifton College and drew 1-1. At that stage we knew a win over Sherborne Prep would mean we topped the group and the girls played brilliantly to win 4-0.

This meant we played King's Hall in the quarter-final. We beat them 4-0, meaning we now qualified for Nationals and would play Taunton in the semi-final. Taunton were strong and scored first but the girls fought back, scoring off a short corner. In the final minutes of the game we were awarded another corner and scored again. A 2-1 win and into the final against Clifton College, who we had drawn with earlier in the day. The girls were now playing brilliantly and they beat Clifton 3-1 to take the overall win! An amazing day and one that we will all remember for a long time.

The 2nd team have also been flying this term, winning all of their matches so far, including beating West Hill Park 8-1 on Wednesday. They play in the Hampshire Festival on Friday and are looking forward to a day of tournament hockey.

The U11A are also having an unbeaten season with good wins against Port Regis, Twyford and West Hill Park. They have their IAPS qualifying at Bryanston on Wednesday. Good luck, girls!

The U10 netball teams went to Portsmouth Grammar School yesterday. Five teams played with four wins and one loss. Their netball has been getting better and better and it was great to have all the girls out playing!

We are looking forward to the rest of the season, with many more exciting fixtures in the calendar.

Felicity Smith, Head of Girls’ Games