Hallsy's Weekly Look Around the Academy - Well Done Lucy!!

Despite the freezing weather conditions the Worthing College Sports Performance Programme put in two solid training sessions in preparation for their National fixtures on the Wednesday. However only two matches survived the weather with the Netball Performance Programme and Men’s Football Performance Programme 1st XI beating the frost.

On a bitterly cold Tuesday night at Falmer the Netball Performance Programme reinforced their dominance of the BMW Brighton League with a 55-27 victory against Phoenix. Shooter Katy Finlay and Goalkeeper Hannah Pannell excelled as Worthing were victorious in all quarters to secure the win and maintain their lead at the top of the league.

On Wednesday the Netball Performance Programme travelled to their independent rivals Hurstpierpoint in the County Cup................. This pitted Worthing’s 2nd team against Hurst’s 1st team as both levels are represented in the Netball version of this tournament and therefore the hosts were the favourites. Worthing competed well with Hurst in the 1st quarter and made it difficult for their opponents and only trailed 10-8. Worthing then upped their game even more and took control of the tie to edge ahead 16-14. The lead passed over more than once in the 3rd quarter, but Hurst just edged it 26-25. Worthing’s second string had been immense in their performance for three quarters, however the final quarter was just a little bit too much for Worthing with Hurst running out 33-26 winners. Coach Tina Price was “full of praise and pride for the players involved and the future definitely looks bright, which was reinforced by the kind words of the opposition coach.”

The Men’s Football Performance Programme 1st XI took on Southgate in the ECFA National League looking to reinforce the excellent result in the previous weeks top of the table clash against Kingston. After a long trip Worthing took time to get into their stride, and this affected their ability to keep effective possession and create a number of clear cut chances. Despite this Worthing’s defence stayed firm and limited the opposition to half chances. Into the second half, with the introduction of Shaun Cook, Worthing began to get hold of the ball and create chances, which eventually led to them taking the lead. A Lewis Jenkins cross was volleyed in by Lee Mottershead. The lead was quickly doubled with Joe Warner capitalising on a goalkeeping error to add to his impressive tally this season. This victory has now extended Worthing’s lead at the top of the table to six points with three matches of their league programme remaining.

On Tuesday Worthing College’s Women’s Football Performance Programme member Lucy Somes made her debut for British Colleges against Australia Under 19’s in Birmingham. The British Colleges’ side were eventually beaten 3-0, however this didn’t dampen Somes’ experience. “The whole experience so far has been excellent. Having to sing the national anthem was so surreal. Although we lost the game I felt proud to be a part of the team and I’m looking forward to the remaining matches with the squad.” Performance Programme Coach Mike Bridges reinforced Somes’ call up. “Lucy has been outstanding for us this season as well as her first year with us. She thoroughly deserves this accolade and its one that has been celebrated across the whole performance programme. Its fantastic that players are given the opportunity to represent their country and I hope that this is not the final Worthing College player to put on a British Colleges’ shirt.”

Great work. Keep it up,

Onwards......

Hallsy