Taylorian

TAYLORIAN 2024

57

U16A

P: 11 / W: 2 / D: 1 / L: 8 / F-A: 23-39 / GD: -16 This season was not easy for the U16As, but there were some real highlights, even in the games that didn’t go our way. A dark Wednesday evening was illuminated by a hotly contested match between MTS and the formidable RGS High Wycombe in the second round of the County Cup. We played some of our best hockey of the season and were unlucky to lose 3-2, meaning we were sent to the Plate competition. The first round of the Plate, against local rivals Haberdashers’, was another highlight. Antoni Hawkins, Caspar Haley and Ethan Pryce scored outstanding goals, and Ethan Pryce and Viv Verma worked tirelessly in defence to keep the opposition at arm’s length. Unfortunately, the U16As’ journey in the plate competition was cut short by Stowe: U16B P: 7 / W: 4 / D: 2 / L: 1 / F-A: 26-18 / GD: 8 This was a superb season for the U16Bs. There was notable progress in tactics and skills as the weeks went on, and a string of excellent results means the lads can hold their heads high. Against quality opposition, they played with grace, patience and skill following the simple mantra: beat the man and pass the ball. This was a great team effort, and it is hard to draw out too many individuals, but we must make special mention of ‘one-touch Isherwood’ for his superb goals in the early matches, ‘hat trick man Shah’ as top goal scorer and ‘he is everywhere Haria’ whose pace in the defensive midfield saw many transitions turned into goals. Despite always asking to play outfield, goalkeeper Thevarajah should also be mentioned for his audacity which kept us in the game on numerous occasions. This was RCG’s swansong as an MTS hockey coach, and he could not have been prouder of the attitude shown by the team. Mr R. C. Garvey Squad: T. Thevarajah, N. Lomas, M. Bartlett, M. Christie, M. Feeney-Oates, T. Hancock, O. Isherwood, S. Ismail, C. Meadows, N. Mehta, J. A. Patel, M. Proud, A. Shah, V. Shukla, S. Haria, D. Lakhani, C. Haley.

we lost on penalties having drawn 0-0 in normal time. Great performances were not limited to the Cup and Plate competitions, though, and a narrow 0-1 defeat by Eton showed promise. The final match of the season vs Bedford was a bit of a damp squib but my hope is that this will sharpen the team’s focus as they look forward to playing senior hockey next year. A huge shoutout should be given to Jai Elangovan who captained the side

superbly throughout the whole season, showing great leadership, ambition and motivation. He was supported well by his teammates and would make an excellent captain again in the future. Miss N. C. Rittey Squad: H. Adebisi, R. Carruthers Hintze, D. Ashton, A. Duggal, J. Elangovan (Capt.), C. Haley, T. Hawkes, A. Hawkins, K. Huang, H. Kalsi, R. Khanna, I. Olsen, T. Pail, E. Pryce, A. Rajdev, R. Ruparelia, V. Verma, R. Waddington.