1st Team vs St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne
The boys 1st VII had a tough first outing against a well organised and skillful St. Andrew’s side. Player of the game was Tommy, who had an incredible performance in goal, making some top class saves. There were some bright moments in attack and the boys probably deserved a goal for their attacking promise, but it wasn’t to be. Without the ball, Holmewood’s lack of defensive experience was exposed and the home side were able to score at regular intervals. Some positives to take from the game and lots to learn going into the rest of the season.
2nd Team vs St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne
St Andrews (Away) is always going to prove a tough fixture for our first match. We’d had two training sessions to get up to speed. Luckily the weather was perfect for the match and we started well. However, although we were 1-0 at half time, the second half was always going to be a tough ask . We did run out of steam in the second half and we eventually lost 5-0. Special mention must go to our goalkeeper, Fernando, who was quite outstanding and made the score respectable.
3rd Team vs St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne
The 3rd team can be very pleased with their first outing of the season against a very strong St Andrew’s team which was dominated by two very effective players. An even first half contest saw us take the lead through Charles with some great defending keeping the scores level. As mentioned earlier, a very strong St Andrew’s striker score the goals to make the end score 3-1 but the boys can take heart from their first performance of the season.
U11A vs St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne
The U11A hockey team faced St Andrews Prep in a tough match, which ended 6-0 in favour of the opposition. The game was fast-paced, with both teams showing good intensity, but St Andrews proved to be the stronger side. The boys had their moments, but struggled to convert chances and were frustrated by some unfortunate bounces and close calls. Despite the loss, the team showed determination and effort throughout, never backing down. A tough game, but the boys will regroup and look to bounce back stronger in the next match. Good effort boys!
U10A vs St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne
The U10A team faced St Andrew’s in a thrilling 7-a-side hockey match, including goalkeepers. The game kicked off with a strong press from the opposition, keeping us on the back foot early. Our defensive line scrambled effectively, denying them an early goal after some dangerous attempts. As the game progressed, momentum shifted in our favor thanks to William’s impressive work at the center. He orchestrated key plays down the right wing, forming a dynamic partnership with Orlando to drive our attack. When St Andrew’s attempted a counter, Albert stepped up, winning the ball back swiftly and launching rapid counterattacks that kept the pressure on. Our persistence paid off, and we were able to score three well-earned goals. With dominant possession and discipline in sticking to our game plan, the team controlled the flow of the match and secured a well-deserved win.
U10B vs St Andrew’s Prep, Eastbourne
For this fixture, we combined the U10B and U10C teams to create two rotating squads, with players swapping every five minutes. The result was a fast-paced and exciting afternoon of hockey that kept everyone on their toes. As the game progressed, we developed our play well, learning to drive the ball out wide to stretch the opposition. This strategy regularly allowed us to catch them on the counterattack, although their solid defence often forced us back, resulting in numerous long corners. We hit the ball hard at their goal but struggled to get shots on target. We then dominated possession in their D before scoring several well worked goals. They also made the most of some of their opportunities, hitting one across the goal line that we struggled to clear.
Both teams showed great spirit, cheering each other on throughout the match. The first team earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory, while the second team followed up with a 2-1 win.
U9A vs Radnor House Sevenoaks
The U9A boys hockey team played two exciting 5-a-side matches against 2 very different Radnor House teams. In the first game, they triumphed 3-1, showcasing great teamwork and skill. They applied pressure throughout, securing a well-deserved victory. In the second match, despite their efforts, they were edged out 2-0 by a strong opponent. The boys gave it their all in both games, showing improvement and determination. A solid performance overall with plenty to build on for the next match! Well played boys
U8A vs Radnor House Sevenoaks
Three U8 teams and one U9 team travelled to Hollybush Lane Astro to compete in two small round-robin tournaments against Radnor House. Each team played twice, showcasing impressive effort and teamwork throughout the afternoon. Our mixed-ability Year 3 teams dominated their mixed C/D squads, securing multiple wins with dynamic play and hardwork. They demonstrated excellent stick control and consistently won the ball back to launch quick counterattacks, keeping the pressure on their opponents.
The U9As and mixed U9/U8 team faced tougher competition against two very strong and experienced squads. The first game saw the mixed U8/ U9 team defending hard, especially after missed opportunities and possession losses in midfield. They lost the first half 3-0 but pulled it back in the second half to 3-1 after pushing the ball into the top right corner of the pitch and passing across the goal and sweeping it away into the goal.
In their final game, the boys improved their control in midfield but struggled to convert chances. However, persistence paid off, as Callum scored a crucial equaliser at the back post during the final play of the game. A strong start overall! As we continue to develop, we’ll focus on improving our restarts from a 16 to help us escape from inside our own half and set up more attacking plays.
