Hallsy's Weekly Look Around the Academy

The Worthing College Men's Football Performance Programme have both 1st and 2nd XI's in their respective County Cup Semi Finals after this week's fixtures. Whilst the 1st XI didn't have to kick a ball to progress after the withdrawal of Steyning, who failed to raise a side, the 2nd XI took on private school St Bedes at East Preston FC and came out 3-2 victors. Scorers on the day were Ryan Hallett with two and the winner came from skipper Adam Bardouleau's head. Debutant Paco Vasquez came out of the game with special praise from Programme coaches Danny Cullip and Dave Hall.

The Rugby Development Programme 2nd XV were in action this week against Steyning's 1st XV in the Sussex League and it was Worthing who dominated proceedings with Bart Pegg, Ed Cosgrove, Jack Ware, Dayle Bone, Declan Dixon, Josh Bath touching down along with Alex Baker picking up a hat trick. Pegg and Bath both kicked two conversions each to make the final score 53-7 to Worthing College. Programme Coach Ben Coulson was especially pleased with Worthing's clinical finishing and development when competing against a 1st XV.

The Women's Performance Programme had two fixtures this week, but had contrasting fortunes. The 1st XI comprehensively beat Peter Symonds College of Winchester in the England Schools Colleges' Cup last 16 6-0. Strikers Jade Widdows and Becky Simmonds put Worthing 2-0 up at half time and they continued their dominance in the second half with their high tempo passing game adding a further four goals. Widdows collected her hat trick, an Aliss Pidduck finish and Isabelle Burt scoring a goal of the season contender has now set up a quarter final tie at home to Filton College of Bristol, who Worthing have already beaten earlier in their British Colleges' Elite League Programme. On Friday a 1st XI/2nd XI mix squad took on Tauntons of Southampton in the BCS Non Elite Cup at Worthing College. Worthing never got going and after going behind in the first couple of minutes they didn't recover and ended up bowing out of the competition 3-0.

The Netball Performance Programme had a very productive week by extending their unbeaten run in the BMW Brighton League by defeating Fusion 51-23. Coach Tina Price earmarked the whole squad for their togetherness and high levels of performance. With the amount of games her squad have been playing recently Price played an entire first year squad in their Wednesday Hampshire League match against Havant. Again the squad all pulled together and put in an impressive performance to come out on top against a tall and physical team 36-23, which is extremely encouraging for the future of the programme.

The Basketball Performance Programme were in Sussex League action and played with confidence against Varndean, which showed by leading 28-7 after the first quarter. This level of performance continued and Worthing never let their opponents get into the game, outscoring Varndean is each quarter to make the final score 99-39. The points were shared around the squad with Elliott Trussler (23 points), Matt Sharp (19), Phil Hoy (14), Sam Gulla (12) & Jubril Olajire (10) being in double figures.

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy