Netball Fastnet Tournement

7.30am saw 10 players from the Netball Academy embark on a journey to Southampton Netball Centre to take part in the first ever BCS Netball Fastnet Tournament.

 

This is a new game, developed for the TV, like 20/20 cricket – the main differences being that the shooters can shot from outside the circle and score double goals, you have a power play quarter where all goals scored count double, rolling subs and the centre pass always taken by the team not scoring the goal.

 

Unfortunately 5 college teams failed to show, however for those that did it was an excellent day.

 

We played Farnborough in our first game and got off to flying start winning 19-10 – all 10 players playing their part and the coach getting the power play quarter correct (2^nd)

 

2^nd game Portsmouth Grammer – we were on fire again – winning 21-11 again all 10 players getting some action.

 

3^rd game Richmond – we excelled during this game 29- 7

 

Into the lunchtime break where we went into the cup competition

 

4^th game Godalming – at the end of the first quarter the score was 3-1 worthing – power play 2^nd quarter as we had done all day – godalming played theirs too – bad move on their part – they did not score at all – we went to 17 – game over with 10 mins to play – everyone played and we did only score 2 in the remaining 10 mins but game ended 19-1

 

5^th game Tautons – this was going to be a more difficult game and at the end of the first quarter Worthing led 3-2, flag raised for the 2^nd and once again Amber and Lucy did the business taking the score to 13-3, tautons chose not to use their power play till the 4^th quarter by which time the game was over Worthing winning 20-8

 

6^th game Brockenhurst – once again we faced the mighty brock, however we were not daunted as we had probably played the best netball of the season all day, used our subs wisely and were feeling confident. The first quarter ended 3-3, I decided to power play 2^nd quarter as we had done all day- sadly we only scored twice and the 2^nd quarter ended 8-7 in our favour. Third quarter went goal for goal and ended 11-10 worthing. Brock used the powerplay 4^th quarter and won the game 22-16.

 

An outstanding tournament, everyone played their part, thankyou to Lucy Uncles for coming with us and the girls voted it the best ever. The weather was great and we all game back with a sun tan.

 

Thanks girls for a great day.

 

Tina   

Worthing 25 Hartpury 25

 

The winter has come and gone, the season drawn to an end,

Worthing College rugby squad honour to still defend.

As from the west a mighty foe from nations far and wide,

Descend upon the field of dreams a place nowhere to hide.

For battle day was bestowed unto the warriors of this place,

A victory desired hearts and souls fired conflict with most haste.

 

A start so fine that from the line the Bush did cross to score,

To help him out with extra true Metters did strike two more.

From this point collisions were rough warriors one and all,

Alas the lead Worthing had eroded to none, too small.

The invading hoards bestowed their fury to all that did purvey,

A scene of collisions robust, magnificent this day.

 

Lead dwindled and gone, stolen from slipping grasp,

Until the end of first half where light was thrown at last.

Upon the plight of Worthing proud players coach and crowd,

As in the far reach of the field the visitors did yield.

Points of five for the try that Sercombe did present,

Unfortunate as touch judges two points did not consent.

 

The second act was underway and the battle lay to close,

For all that watched the game develop into a win or loss.

Parry, thrust counter and strike nothing left untouched,

It was feared the visitors had much too much for us.

Stones a plenty Worthing showed on D and in attack,

But while conflicts end did draw near could we strike back?

 

A Dowglass try and Metters kicks got Worthing level best,

As later on the game progressed but could we meet the ultimate test?

In fact yes, no and may be all possibly fitting the bill,

Four trys to three at games conclusion leaving Worthing ill.

More trys they scored and so it was that Worthing lost the match,

More effort impossible no more chances left to catch.

 

The final tally from the encounter grand,

With people bewildered whilst they stand.

Was Worthing 25 with which Hartpury drew,

Unable to split all the way through.

A draw in name but loss in fact,

We will have forever to live with that.

 

To reflect upon the event so near yet unreached,

Boys to men my pleasure it’s been to teach.

Two years for some three for more the end now begins,

Children to students while citizens grow men surly lay within,

Thanks to all for efforts made and time invested to train,

In years to come I shall reflect with fondness on this time.

 

 

A big thank you to all of the players throughout the rugby squad, congratulations on all your efforts for the season.

Hallsy's Academy Report - Late Easter Edition

My sincere apologies that the report for the 2nd XI's game at East Berkshire had not been reported sooner, but alas I was out of the country seeking my fortunes in a far away land. Never fear as goalscoring hero Iain "Luke Haggert" Haggart takes up the action from this pre Chocolate Egg bonanza match up...

This week saw the 2^nd team play away against East Berkshire. Confidence was high after last week’s 6-0 thrashing of Uxbridge in a game which was totally dominated by Worthing and the team playing back to their usual fluent selves. The venue was changed from grass to artificial at the last minute due to wet weather but upon arriving we found it to be flat and smooth which suits our passing game.

The squad was back to normal strength apart from Nick Colwell and Phil Charman who pulled out ill on the day. The game began at a fast pace with Worthing having most of the possession and passing the ball about comfortably creating chances. However the through balls, which on grass would have held up on the surface, just ran out of the reach of the wingers and strikers. The best chance in the first 20 minutes was for Worthing. Matt Dodd won the ball in the middle of the field played a one two with Thom Taylor and unleashed a powerful shot towards the goal. Everyone though the ball was sailing in past the stranded keeper, unfortunately the ball crashed against the bar and would have been a deserved opening goal to Worthing. The horrible nature of the game then struck. Worthing who had comfortably controlled the opening game conceded the first goal. A long ball down the left was not dealt with and their right winger chipped the ball past the onrushing keeper Gillard. This then meant Worthing had to up the ante for the rest of the half because this team are probably the strongest team we have played this season. We continued to press with Ezio and Tomas causing plenty of problems up front with pace and power. Towards the end of the half Worthing won a corner after great work from the whole right hand side and then a splendid double save from the keeper. At first the corner looked to have been wasted, but the resulting clearance was crossed back in to the box where Ezio was conveniently placed in front of the keeper. The keeper fumbled the ball to the most unlikely person Iain Haggart who tapped the ball into an empty net to score his first goal for the academy. (Thank You Ezio!!)

1-1 at half time.

The second half Worthing continued on the same foot and dominated again, creating plenty of chances. However as I have said football can be horrible and Worthing conceded again after outplaying the opposition. A ball down the left again wasn’t dealt with and somehow their player managed to score past Kieron at the near post from the by line. Worthing then had a fight back on our hands although the team knew we could do it even against a strong opposition. The boys continued to cause problems for the opposition throughout the half. It was until about 25 minutes left when Paul Jackson came on for Tomas Nemeth when Worthing found an equaliser. The impressive Des O’Connor floated the ball into the back post towards Thom Taylor who was running in. In my opinion this is easily goal of the season and it’s quite hard to describe. It’s a lot like Bolo Zenden’s goal for Sunderland at the weekend but on his right foot and back peddling from the edge of the box. Whoever saw that goal will have a brief image of what this goal was like. If you need to know in more detail just ask Thom to tell you! Worthing continued to press and moments later Paul pounced on a scuffed kick by the keeper to tap the ball into the empty net. 3-2. Worthing then defended excellently for the last 15 minutes and the game ended 3-2.

An excellent team performance by everyone in the team and we deserved to win. A perfect result leading up to the county cup final and we should go into the end of the season full of confidence.

So to conclude another fantastic performance from the 2nd XI as their season goes from strength to strength. With a Cup Final on the horizon all must not take their "eyes off the prize" to ensure that they get a starting berth when the big day arrives.

Onwards and Upwards,

Hallsy

Filton Photo Gallery Now Online

Visit our Flickr site (navigation on the right of this page) to see the gallery from this weeks game. Our thanks to Charlie Crowhurst for the pictures, Charlie is a very talented ex student of the college and some more examples of his work can be found at http://www.charliecrowhurst.com/

 

Worthing College IXV 17 v Filton IXV 37 (H)

Worthing College were beaten by a strong Filton side in yesterday’s British Colleges Elite Cup Semi Final. Playing conditions were far from ideal as the heavy rain had resulted in the pitch becoming very heavy and a strong coastal wind affected the game throughout. Filton started strongly with a period of sustained possession in the Worthing half; the Worthing defence was over eager during the early exchanges and gave away a number of soft penalties. Filton punished these mistakes with field possession which after a number of phases resulted in Filton scoring from close range 0-5. From the kick off Worthing responded physically turning possession over in midfield and after a number of phases Worthing were themselves awarded a penalty which was kicked to the corner for the Worthing forwards. From the lineout the catch and drive was direct and powerful resulting in Worthing’s first try scored by Tom Walker, the kick was missed 5-5.

 

Worthing now started to believe they could compete against a team of Filton’s national standard and started to play as they are capable of doing. The Worthing forwards and backs combined well and despite difficult conditions some fantastic levels of skill were on display. However Worthing were guilty of playing too much rugby in the wrong areas where with a strong wind at their backs and a dominant lineout the deep kick to turn the opposition back three would have put the visitors under significant pressure. The Filton back row were combining well and contesting possession with power and skill, from a turnover at the breakdown the excellent Filton 10 saw an opportunity to attack from turnover ball and this resulted in Filton’s second try. The kick was again missed 5-10. Worthing then responded with their best period of play in the whole match which really tested the visitors. Worthing ran directly and increased their intensity at the breakdown and as a result gained great field position. The Filton defence was tested again and again and this pressure resulted in an attacking lineout which from a well worked move Steve Brown went over the line to level the score, Jack Metters converted the kick 12-10.

 

Worthing continued their period of pressure and high tempo rugby and with Josh Mills and Jack Metters combining well at half back the Worthing attack was looking dangerous. Shortly before half time the Filton 7 was yellow carded for persistent infringements and despite having a number of great scoring opportunities in the final few minutes of the first half the score would remain at 12-10 at half time.

 

The second half started with Filton playing with a great deal of control and building territory. This territorial advantage would build pressure on the Worthing defence that would eventually be the difference between the two sides. As the Worthing defence tired the strong Filton runners started to have a bigger impact on the game which freed up space and quality possession for the very talented Filton backline. Filton scored four high quality try’s in the second half outscoring Worthing four try’s to one (Sam Pitchford). Filton now advance to the Elite Cup Final and we wish them well for the remainder of their season.

 

The result was a fair reflection of the standard of both teams and Worthing can be more than proud of their efforts. We hope to be rested, repaired and at full strength for the forthcoming home League Play Off Semi Final v Hartpury on April 21 (KO at 1415).