What better way can there be to spend a beautiful spring afternoon than cheering on three Fressingfield teams that took part in the HSSSP Hockey competition at Magpies Hockey Club in Harleston? Well, that’s what the many parent supporters thought anyway as they watched our teams perform magnificently in both the Develop and Compete competitions.
Our Develop Team of Eden, Emily, Emily, Harry, Luke, Jayden and Edward, ably led by Mrs Hall, had mixed fortunes. They won one of their games and drew two more, scoring several goals, defending with courage and playing with passion and determination. Well done to them.
Meanwhile, two teams from Fressingfield were battling it out in the Compete competition. Over the course of 7 matches, against some tough teams from some of the biggest schools in our area, both teams progressed incredibly well. The Fressingfield A team, consisting of James, Sophia, Jasmine, Harriet, Oscar and Amy, were extremely well led by Mr Hardy (who coaches at the Magpies Club). This team were very well-drilled: they kept their shape well, controlled the ball with great skill when it came their way, disrupted the opposition, passed brilliantly, and took their chances, all to great effect, winning the majority of their games.
The Fressingfield B team, consisting of Imogen, Isaac, Ella, Archie, Stanley and India, and led very effectively by Mrs Tooley, played with huge amounts of energy, determination and total commitment. They were extremely good at disrupting their opponents’ attacking play and at persevering in the attacking half and taking their chances. They also won the majority of their games.
Overall success therefore came down to a confrontation between the two Fressingfield Teams. This was a hotly contested match, with both teams determined to prove their worth. And the game was very finely poised, with great interplay on both teams, lots of dogged determination and moments of individual skill. But, with just minutes to go, with the score balanced at 1-1, Fressingfield B broke clear, found themselves in front of goal and scored to make it 2-1. And so the match finished.
At the end of a thrilling afternoon, Fressingfield A finished in the Bronze medal position, Fressingfield B were one above them in Silver and Debenham A finished in Gold.
It really was a fantastic afternoon and all those watching were extremely proud of all our players: they each represented the school brilliantly, demonstrating the sporting values we hold dear – passion, determination, honesty, teamwork, self-belief and respect – and upholding the Fressingfield spirit. Well done all.
