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Hockey

Hockey

in the final match and went to the players’ player of the season, Krish Patel, whose incisive attacking midfield play also created numerous opportunities for other players to score. He was ably supported in midfield by the coaches’ player of the season, Tarun Varsani, who almost single-handedly led the team to victory in an evening fixture against Harrow when the Upper Sixth were unable to play. Although it ended 0-0, the game against Haberdashers’ 1st XI was a real battle of wills and a key moment in the season where the team very much gelled. We also benefitted from the incredible goalkeeping of Akshay Mistry who, later in the season for his heroics between the posts, became the 1st XI goalkeeper. Fortunately for the 2nd XI, Fifth Former Louis Rosenbaum filled Akshay’s shoes admirably and played his part in an end-of-season thriller against Magdalen College School, Oxford, which finished 5-5 after MTS had taken a 4-3 lead in the first twenty minutes of the game! This season, more than half the team was comprised of Upper Sixth Formers who will be sorely missed next year; we wish them well and hope they continue to play excellent hockey at university and beyond. Miss E. K. Trafford Squad: L. Alonzi, S. Amdor, A. Bettridge, F. Combe, G. Dalton, T. Folami, B. Hellewell, MD. Laryea-Adu, S. Mansfield, A. Mistry, J. Odegbami, K. Patel, S. Patel, L. Rosenbaum, A. Sardana, A. Sawant, D. Shah, R. Shah, H. Williamson. 3rd XI This was a season with a strong narrative thread. We started slowly while the team got to know each other; we worked out everyone’s best positions and how we wanted to play while selection for other teams settled down. There were inevitably a few dispiriting losses (Felsted, as always) but slowly but surely the team spirit grew, familiarity in role and position bedded in, and results turned around. By the end we were disappointed there

were no more games: a sure change from January when each Saturday was approached with a sense of weary dread. Stand out moments were surely the utter domination at MCS, Devesh Rana’s hat trick (more rejoicing in the kingdom of heaven etc.) and Manny’s ketchup bottle scoring spurt. I very much hope the Lower Sixth, who comprised the bulk of the team, will continue to play hockey next year. Mr M. C. Husbands Squad: N, Patel, S. Zaveri, M. Ault, K. Banerjee, R. Bhasin, A. Bist, J. Hawkes, J. Hazan, E. Idayefugbara, M. Johnson, A. Kataria, A. Mistry, U. Otibo, Y. Pashine, D. Rana, A. Sodha, T. Wong, L. Alonzi, G. Anpalagan, S. Desai, B. Hellewell, A. Knowles, J. Marsden. U16A This is a brilliant group of hockey players who, having lost a few of their number to the 1st XI, fought on equal terms with some of the best hockey schools around. It is to their credit that they emerged with a pretty even record and were certainly never well-beaten. The highlights reel would be long some free-flowing hockey was played but hard-fought come-from behind draws against Magdalen College School and Reed’s would feature heavily. It is to the group’s great credit that they were at their best when matched against the very best. It goes without saying that lesser teams were dispatched with consummate ease, and a strong, positive goal difference is testament to a good level of ruthlessness running through the group. Louis Rosenbaum excelled in goal; an excellent level of control was provided by James Beeby in the middle of the park; hard running and some mazy dribbling from Messrs McCormick, Shaikh, Shah and White meant we were always a threat going forwards; and player of the season, Tife Abolade, could always be relied upon to put the ball (just) over the

1st XI The 1st XI began the season with a 9-2 win in the cup against RGS High Wycombe. After the promising start we were hit with two defeats, to Reed’s and then Bedford in the cup on penalties, highlighting the work the squad needed to put in. The boys went about this brilliantly, working hard in training to facilitate an excellent performance against The Perse away and an outstanding 4-2 win against Felsted. Meanwhile, a steady run in the Plate was coming together nicely; wins vs Forest and Eton set up a semi-final clash with Alleyns. This ultimately proved to be the final fixture of the term, with Taylors’ losing 2-1 to a very strong side in a game that could have gone either way. The OMT Cup was played on the final weekend of term and the 1st XI put in a terrific performance. Special thanks to Qinuo Wang, Charles Waddington, Josh Hooles and captain Alex Bickerstaff for their efforts as the Upper Sixth members of the side who have now played their last game of hockey for MTS. Awards: Most improved player: Akshay Mistry Top goal scorer and coaches’ player: Josh Hooles Players’ player and Buckner Cup: Alex Bickerstaff Mr J. O. Middleton Squad: A. Mistry, C. Waddington, D. Reddy, D. Mehta, R. Mangat, A. Leitch, N. Williams, E. Arslan, F. Ahmed, T. Ford, N. T. Patel, J. Groves, A. Bickerstaff (Capt.) J. Hooles, Q. Wang, D. Shah, A. Sawant, A. Poole. 2nd XI It was a busy Spring Term of hockey for the 2nd XI this year, who were captained magnificently by defensive stalwart Tayvon Folami and, whilst not a stellar year in terms of results, there were notable highlights. Top goal scorer was decided

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Taylorian 2023