Hallsy's Weekly Look Around the Academy

All Worthing College Sport Performance Programmes contributed to "Golden Wednesday" with all squads being successful in their respective disciplines. Arguably the biggest result was from the Women's Football Performance Programme where they defeated the well renowned and National Champions for the last two seasons Filton College (Bristol Academy FC) 2-0 at Bristol. Filton boasted squad members who had played for Bristol, who were runners up in last seasons FA Cup, as well as having UEFA Women's Champions League experience. This did not daunt Worthing, who soaked up Filton's possession and broke effectively. Lucy Somes opened the scoring and the win was sealed with a Darcey James curling free kick, which found the top corner. Worthing Colleges' performance was described by coach Mike Bridges as "outstanding" and this was reinforced by the watch Bristol Academy (Women's Premier League) manager, who praised Worthing for their team ethic and whole performance over the 90 minutes.

The Men's Football Performance Programme 1st XI were back in action at Arundel FC as they entertained Lancing College in a re-arranged County Cup last 16 fixture. Worthing took a foothold in the game as early as the first minute, with Joe Warner opening the scoring after a Dave O'Callaghan through ball. Two more goals were added before half time. Ryan Quirke cross was converted by a covering defender and a Jon Watkins header took the tie out of the visitors reach. The second half only saw one more goal, which came from a well worked corner, converted by defender Dan Heward making the final score 4-0. This now sets up a quarter final tie against Steyning on December 7th. The 2nd XI continued their fine BCS Performance League form with an impressive 2-0 away win against Merrist Wood's 1st XI. The goals came from Matt Hardman & Jared Rance. This now pushes Worthing into second place in the league with a top of the table clash against South Downs College of Portsmouth coming up next.

The Rugby Development Programme were also away to Merrist Wood College and they too came away with a win. Tries from Ryan Mullen (2), Nick White, Ed Cosgrove, Gage Pestridge and Declan Dixon, with White kicking four conversions made the final score 38-21 to Worthing.

With no Brighton League or 1st team fixtures the Netball Performance Programme's 2nd team took on Sussex Downs of Lewes in the last 16 of the County Cup. Worthing really stepped up their game in the 2nd and 3rd quarters with some solid defending and ruthless shooting, which led to a final score of 26-15 to Worthing, who will now take on Hurstpierpoint 1st team in the quarter finals prompting coach Tina Price to say that "this match will be a test to show how far the girls have developed this season."

The Basketball Performance Programme were again in Sussex League action this week and they were looking to add to their impressive victory the week before when taking on Buckswood School. Worthing really took the game to their opponents after a tense first quarter, but in the end were comfortable 80-45 winners. Harry Melvin top scored for Worthing with 19 points on the day.

In addition to this weeks league and cup fixtures some of the Performance Programmes took part in the British Colleges' Regional Tournaments. The Netball Performance Programme just missed out on qualifying for their finals after narrowly losing out to Barton Pevril College 16-12 in their final match at the Surrey Sports Park. Both Men's and Women's Football Performance Programmes took part in their respective 5-a-side tournaments at the Southampton Goals Centre. The Women's Performance Programme got to the semi finals, where they were narrowly defeated by eventual winners Kingston College 2-1. The Men's Performance Programme were superb all day. After getting through their group they defeated Chichester College (2-1) in the Round of 16, they comprehensively beat Brockenhurst College (5-1) in the last 8. This set up a semi final against a very strong Tauntons College from Southampton. The tie ended 0-0, so penalty kicks were to decide the finalists. Worthing came through 2-1. In the final the against Itchen College of Southampton the quality of the play was high and again it went to penalties after a 1-1 scoreline. Unfortunately it was Worthing's turn to lose out in sudden death 4-3 on penalties. Despite defeat at the last hurdle coach Dave Hall was "extremely proud of the players efforts, who were all superb on the day, even though losing on penalties is agonising the players thoroughly enjoyed expressing themselves in the smaller version of the game."

Onwards & Upwards,

Hallsy